The Portland daily press., 1868-03-16
DAILY PRESS.
PORTLAND.
Monday Morning, March 16, 1868.
News from the sou,h.

News from the SoEth.
We have never seen better Illustration o.
the hideous state of error and confusion Incl
dent to an acceptance of Associated Pres
dispatches from the South for the truth, than
that afforded by the last number of the
Belfast Journal. The subject matter in
reference to which the Journal is misled is the
constitution of the State of Arkansas
framed by the late convention in that State
and submitted to the people at an election
which began on Friday the 18th inst.
In the first place it speaks of ian ebony
convention" Ii all the kilograms from the
South had been compared this gross error
might have been avoided. OF the 73 dele
| gates who framed the constitution only fye
were blacks One negro to fifteen whites
does not show very great abuse of power
ON the part of the "sable master Sam
bo," whose dusky ranks constitute rather
more than a third Of the registered voters
OF the State. o too creduious Journal. don I
trust telesrams, but get a Tribune Almanac
and be happy.
But with respect to the new constitution
| framed by the "black-and tan" convention. our
contemporary has fallen into errors so grave
yet so ludicrous that, unless he shall here
alter exercise more care in culling news, the
rldlcule which he would heap upon the
"thick skulls" of constitution makers who
"have not the brains to comprehend their
task" will fall elsewhere.
In spirit Of pure benevolence we propose
to set this matter right. The Republi-
can journal will be intensely delighted to
hear that the great-territorially speaking
State OF Arkansas will have constitution
that in most respects will compare favorable
with that of any State in the Union. 1t will
be glad to know that it is wrong when it saws
of the constitution:
First it gives the ballot to all colors and
conditions as well as both seees, and provides
that all may sat on juries!
we have before us an official copy of the
entire constitution and can give the exact
language on this point. The franchise clause
is as folows
Every male person born in the United States
ana every male person who has been natural
ized, or has legally declared his inte ntion to
become citizen of the United States. ,cho Is
s'oenty-one gears Old or upwards, and who shall
ceeding the election, and who at the time is
an actual resident of the county in which he
oHers TO vote, except as hereinafter provided
shall be deemed an elector.
The qualifications OF Jurors are left to be
determined by the general language of the
Bill OF Rights one section of which says:
The equality of all persons before the law is
recognized and shall ever remain inviolate;
nor snail any person ever be deprived of any
rlght, privilege, or immunity, nor exempted
from any burden or duty, on account of race,
color, or previous condition.
Now, says the Journal, "after stipulating
for this mixed state Of things, the constitution
goes on to provide for its own adoption,
Begging pardon, it does nothing of the kind.
The acts of Congress determine precisely who
shall vote on the adoption of the constitution
and the convention had nothing more to do
with it than democratic mass meeting in
Belfast. But the Journal suffers from con-
fusion Of ideas and goes on thus;
AT the outset it shuts the gates of mercy on
all aoho haze IN any State gioen aid to secession.
But here is the constitution which flatly
contradicts all this:
The following classes shall not be permitted
to register or hold office, 5iz:
Those who during the rebellion took the
oath OF allegiance, or gave bonds for loyalty
ana good oenavlor to the United States gov
ernment, and afterwards gave aid comfort or
countenance to those engaged in armed hos
tility to the government of the United States,
either by becoming soldier in the rebel army,
OF or by entering the lines of said army, or
adherlng in any way to the cause of rebellion.
or by accompanying any armed force belono,
ing to the rebel army, or by furnishing sup
plies of any kind to the same.
THOSE persons who during the late rebellion
violated the rules OF civilized warfare.
Those who may be disqualified by the pro-
posed amendment to the Constitution of the
united States, known as Article XIV, and
those who have been disqualified from register
ing to vote for delegates to the Convention to
frame Constitution for the State of Arkan-
sas, under the act of Congress entitled Gan act
to provide for the more efficient government
of the rebel States" passed March I'd. 1867.
and the acts supplemental thereto.
ProU5ded, That all persons disfranchised as
above, who have openly advocated or who
by Congress, and accept the equality of all
men before the law, shall be deemed qualified
electors under this Constitution.
The Journal continues:
1t goes even further, and requires the voter
to take an oath that he will accent in all COM
ing time the political and social equality of
the white and black races! He is to Swear not
only that he will permit negroes to vote and
support them in voting, holding office, and
sitting on juries, but likewise that he will sup
port the practice of eating, drinking, travel
ling, lodging and marrying with blacks and
whites alike.
What egregious nonsensel The language
of the oath is this:
| accept the caUa and political equality of all
men, ana agree not to attempt to deprive any
person or persons, on account of race color
or previous condition, of any political or ciyu
right, privilege or immunity enjoyed by any
other class of men.
Finally the Journal bursts into small capi
tails and storm of indignation thus:
All who vote against the Constitution are
disfranchised by the act!
The reply to this is that there is absolutel,
no such thing in the constitution. On the
other hand, it provides that the General AS
sembly may relieve persons who are alreadl
dtstfanchised from political disability by a
two-thirds vote, except those who persist ir
opposing the acts of Congress and the Recon
struction hereunder.
| This is the way in which it has been at.
tempted from the first to bring the recon
struction policy of Congress into contempt b,
showing its grotesque results. But what doe
it matter, so long as the truth finally appear,
and contradicts the SANDER at every step?
| The Van Buren Postmaste
The case Of this functionary is creating con