The Van Buren press., 1868-06-26


votes Ms the necessities of the case might
require. The general commanding the
district, 10 secure fair and impartial ex-
preston Of public sentiment, ordered
} that no registrar should be candidate
| for office; but subaltcrn reversed the
order, and the registrars were generally
candidates in their respective counties
"In Spadra precinct, in Johnson coun-
ty, one hundred and fifty registered yot-
ers made oath that they invidually voted
against the Constitution, while by the of.
| fetal return only niDety-nne votes we're
cast against the Constitution This dis
crcpancy, however, was explained by the
I testimony OF two witnesses, that the votes
were changed in the ballotbox during
the night between the two days OF cleo
| ton. 1fvotes were surrep,itiously taken
on, on one side, very slight suspicion
might arise that others were put in at the
same time Ono OF the judges Of election
voted twice, but stated, when the spurious
vote was aftcrward withdrawn from the
ballot. box by his associate, that he was
in fun How far the sportive disposition
of the Judge may have initiated by his
friends ard admirers does not appear.
"These are only few Of the most
prominent facts elected by The invcstigs-
1 tion when lasted only -four days, when it
should have been, at least, twice as many
weeks, If the whole truth were at all de.
srabc Respectable inen pledged them.
/ selves to establish frauds in every coun-
] H., he Atotn "A
amount of evidence arrayed in four days.
I it is difficult TO conceive what the proof
would have been if time had been allow
ed From the evidence adduccd grave
doubts are Justly entertained as to the
! Justice, the fairness, and the impartiality
! OF the election. ! hope that Senators,
under the circumstances, win feel dispos.
ed to afford ample opportunity for taking
proof in order that our action may he
based upon h knowledge Of all the facts.
A Constitution framed and adopted ~
this was, by Congressional dictaton and
under military orders and in disregard Of
law, can hardly be said to reflect tho
wishes or TO protect the true interests OF
/ the people of Arkansas. 1o2
), If the new Constitution Of Arkapsas
| is republican in form, it Is republican in
nothing else. The first principles Ofrc-
| publcanism bave been violated IN its
| formation and submission, and truth It,
self has been put to shame by tho pre-
tense of its adoption. IL Is neither the
child nor the adopted child Of Arkansas.
She spurns IT from her presence and APP
pcals to the Government and tho world
to save her character from the stigma Of
having given birth to such monster.
/ She is willing TO submit to any rnle,sto
bow to any despotism to suffer any hn
initiation that malice can invent or that
tyranny can inilict; but in the wreckrof
all else desires to guard the sanctuary of
her innocence; and if she must fall, like
the Roman matron, she is resolved that
nothing short Of combination of treach-
cry and violence shall accomplish her
rum. -~s.. s----aa----
"Thc people Of Arkansas are innocent
of this Constitution. They have had
little, if any, agency in its formation.
Those who framed and fashioned it were
born and educated beyond :the borders
of that State. The conditions and quail
fcations were imposed BY men whose
homes were remote and whose feelings
were unfriendly to the most cultivated
and intelligent classes Of southern socie
IT, 1t was the deliberate purpose of
those who had charge Of the business to
place the whites under the domination
and control or the black But with all
the aid of partisan legislation and fraud
ulent registration, supported by the
strong arm Of the military, this contriv-
ance against the peace and happiness ofs
PROSTATE and powerless people, frauds
deducted, has been frustrated and defeat
ed by the action Of the very agents who
had been chosen and selected to ratify
and confirm it. Condemned by the tri.
bunal to which 1t was referred, literally
slaughtered in the house Of its fricnds,an
act Of Congress Is invoked to give itsi-
tality, and the General of our armies, Mt
the head of his troops, sword III hand, is
to enforce it. The present and past con
didon Of Arkansas will not he materially
changed by the Government sought to be
established under this Constitution.
4 Chained to the chariot wheels OF the vic.
tor, captive and a slave, she swells his
triumph, but speaks, moves, and breathcs
only by his permission iFfN -.
"Wi some member Of the Senate bc
kind enough to point his finger to some
clause in the Constitution which author
ICES the overthrow of ten State govern
ments, the registration OF their votes by
military officers, and the transfer Of all
their powers to the despotic will OF
single man? Will he be good cnoughto
indicate some provision which gives
sanction, or even the semblance of sane
ton, to the extraordinary prctensions OF
General Grant, who governs without any
civil restraint eight millions Of our pco.
ploY II may be asserted without fear OF
contradiction that more absolute mon
arch never despoiled nation Of ito liber.
ties. He is the Warwick Of America, ,and
kings, satraps and military governors
| ,;ea o,l r,ll ~ sh,o h;ddipUb