The New Orleans crescent., 1868-09-18
A New RUNE for Rad,cal solution.

Washington dispatch to the New York Herald
Some weeks ago | telegraphed you that the
Democratic leaders Of the South intended to raise
o new and highly interesting point as to what
citizens in the late rebel States are entitled to vote
under the present condition of things. In South
Carolina this point has assumed great prominence,
from the fact that the central executive committee
of that State have issued proclamation announc-
ing that under the Howard Constitutional amend
ment no citizen ia excluded from the right OF
suffrage, although very large class is shut out
from the right of holding Office. If this view OF
the question be correct, 1t Is evident the polucal
result can easily be changed in many OF the
Southern States independent Of the negro Demo
cratic vote, though, perhaps, it is not OF so much
consequences in the case OF South Carolina for the
reason that in that State the negro population is
largely in the ascendant. slight perusal OF the
third section of the fourteenth amendment sufces
10 show that the point is well taken by the Demo.
cratic leaders of the South. There is not word
forbidding the right to vote. The disabilities u
posed extend solely TO the right of holding
trice, whether federal or State, in all cases of
persons who having previously taken an oath as
member of Congress- or as an cficer OF the United
States or member of any State Legislature, or
as executive or judcial officer of any State to
sunnort the Constitution of the United States,
| shall have engaged in insurrection or rebellion
| against the same, or given aid or comfort to the
enemies thereof: Therefore, under this fourteenth
| article no rebels disfranchised. Now il only
Il
/ pore more severe restrictions.
How ii may be with other States am not pre-
| pared to declare, but in South Carolina the ques-
/ ton reems very clear. The new Constitution OF
| that State, prepared under carpet bag influence,
| simply provides that no person shall be allowed
| 10 vote or hold Office who is now, or hereafter
msy be. disqualified therefor by the Constitution
| OF The United States" As the United States Cen
sti'ution allows all TO vote, therefore the state
Constitution is equally liberal. The eighth article
Of the new South Carolina Constitution, which 4
the only one that treats of the right Of suffrage,
worded as follows:
Every male citizen of the United States OF thu
sge Of ~ enty one and upwards not laboring unoel
the disabilities named in this Constitution, withop
distinction OF race, color former condition, wit
shall be resident of this State at the time Of thu
adoption of this Constitution, or shall thereafte
| reside in this State one year and in the count,
| in which he offers TO vote sixty days mex
preceding any election, shall be entitled to vot
| for all officers that are now or hereafter may b
elected by the people and upon all questions sub
mitte6 to the electors at any election; provide
| that no person shall be allowed TO vote or hol
| Chice who is now OF hereafter may be disqualihe
| therefor by the Constitution OF the United State
until sneh disqualification shall be removed by tn
Congress of the United States; provided furthe
thai no person while kept in any almshouse {
asyluu, or of unsound mind, or confined in any pul
lie prison, shall be allowed to vote or hold Office.
A trusty correspondent, who writes me troi
Charleston states that this view OF the suhra9
question taken by Southern Democrats has great
alarmed the white snd black RAIDS IN the Sout
who see no way of escape for themselves und
the circumstances"