The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1868-04-10

The Rump Congress, having kept
Alabama out of the Union for nearly
three years after she acknowledged
herself to be in, and avOwed her desire
to remain in the Union, in order to
humiliate and disgrace the white peo-
pie of that State, are about to drag her
in G3ack end foremost! Under its Re
construction policy the Rump gave
Alabama an opportunity" to form
Constitution. That is to say, there
was a registration of voters by which
creyy negro in the state, no Dotter h0,0
Witerate, was permitted to vote for
members of the Convention which was
TO form the Constitution, whilst large
numbers of whites were DISTINGUISHED
by the refusal Of the Rump Registrars
to put their names upon their lists.
By this internal fraud, it was hoped
that such a Convention would be eIec-
ted, as would do the bidding of the
miserable crew who expected to get
into power under the Rump reconstruc-
tiOn. And this expectation was full
filled. The COnventio was composed,
largely, Of negroes, fresh from the rice
field and the cotton plantation, ,contr0ll-
de bya few designing adventures from
the Northern states, and half dozen
miserable Southern renegades. The
instrument framed by them, which
they dignifed with the name of Con
stitution Of the State of Alabama"
is entirely worthy of such body.
II di$franchises all lch0 do not rote .jo,,
ats adoption there is freedom for you
with vengeance; it disfranchises all
who are disfranchised by the Recon-
struction acts; ;Hpernaits eCeryRegro iathe
Stateto rote and G5ly negro to h0id office; ii
dUo,cy bdermGrriogeQf 1chHes esa3ddiachSj
ii authorizes a3ited schools Of ,ghie and
6Iack children, and disdli0rs separate
schools 10 be esiabiiShed f0rtAe tr0 races
it prohibits railroad companies from
separating black from white passen-
gers, and establishes the most terrible
and revolving test oath. This Con
stitution" was submitted to the people
of Alabama, some time ago, accord.
ing to the provisions Of the Reconstruc-
tion Acts, which specify that if q H.a-
jority Of the registered totcrS Of the State
shut rote upon the Constitution, and if
a majority Of that majority cast their
ballots in favor of the Constitution,
then the Constitution shall be consider
ed adopted, and the State entitled to
representation in Congress. Now,
mark, the Reconstruction Acts require
that majority Of the registered rioters
Of the State must tOte, one way or the
other, Upon the Constitution; if such
majority do not vote, then the Con
stitution must be considered rejected.
In the case of iabama. the white peO-
pie, being almost to a man opposed TO
the infamous Constitution" submit
ted for their approval, or rejection,
did not vote, and the result was H0t n
mGjorHy CfHe registered r0ters Of the.
state ,cas not poHed, and the Negro
Constitution" was defeated. Now,
Notwithstanding this decision Of the
registered rioters of Alabama. the Rump
Congress declares this Negro Constitu-
ton to have been adopted and isabout to
turn over into the hands Of The ignor-
ant blacks and deviiish whites elected
TO Office under this Constitution, the
government Of the State of labama.
\ bill for this purpose has already
passed the national House Of Repre-
sentatives. This, too, is being done
against the advice of Gen. Meade, the
satrap OF the Alabama district, who
certifies the defeat of the "Constitu
ton" If such rascality does not open
the eyes of the Northern people, they
must be blind indeed.
ua-==z~--zz1ar=gzzrnzr4-usss~ra