New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1868-02-04
AT4BAMI.

ALABAMA
The first voting upon Constitution framed
under the Reconstruction acts will commence
to-day in Alabama. Under proper state OF
public feeling we should expect large vote
and very orderly proceedings But there is no
such condition. The widest circulated and
doubtless most influential journals in the State
have opposed reconstruction In every
shape, and in the most violent manner
From The Mobile Advertiser, edited
by John Forsyth, man hitherto
known as representative gentleman
down to the most scurrilous sheet there has
been n constant outpouring OF vltuperatlon,
food of foul language, torrent OF falsehood,
uneaualed within our experience. We have
seldom referred to these datribes, and still
more seldom quoted them, prefeuing to leave
them to the modifying influence of time and
calmer Judgment, feeling sure that in the days
soon TO come no men would be SO much
ashamed of them as their now excited authors.
But te time of voting has come; the Con-
sttution has been for weeks before the people;
the pro and CON have been freely discussed;
and il is notable that the opposition is not to
the Constitution in itself nor c0nspicuously to
any of its provisions except that OF suffrage.
No, the weight of the opposition is against any
Constitution at ALL against any reconstruction
except such as may come independent oil
and over the freedmen.
The opposition agree as to design, but maten-
ally differ in the mode of opposition. The high
toned OF illl-stOcking faction urge On-acton,
and hope by registering To man, ana not Vot-
ing mt ALL to defeat the Constitution, by show
ng that there was not majority oil registered
voters casting ballots upon the question. some
others take the opposite ground, and propose
to vote ii down 10y strength of numbers. Both
factions are agreed upon one point, ana tiFt
is to throw every possible obstruction in the
path of the c0lored men who desire to 90 to
the polls. As the polls are open only IN three
places in a county, they hope to cumbcr the
freedmen so as to keep ont many thousands OF
their votes, defeat the Constitution, and win
victory for Andrew Johnson.
We cannot at this distance Judge of the
strength of these conflicting schemes. and must
await results This, however, we do know, the
canvass. If such it may be called, on the part
of the friends of reconstruction has been very
quiet. and even tame There have been very
few public meetings, and the machinery usually
put in motion for State election has been
comparatively idle. Whether awed 10y
the bold opposition OF the malcontents,
or secure in their own strength, we
do not pretend to say A few days
will decide. and either Alabama Congress
men will be- knocking at the door of the
House. or reconstruction there and probably
elsewhere will be for the present defeated.
Bat only for time for
Ever the night comes uppermo,t
And cver's justice done"
The State and Congressional tickets to he
voted for in Alabama, are as follows:
Gor,rDor-w William II. Smith of Randolph.
LieU'eaat Gooerpo,-A J. Applegate Of Madison.
Soocoy o. S,ats-Clarics A. Miller Of Montgomery.
. Audlor-R. NJ. Reynolds OF Wilcox.
T.eosmer-Arthur Bingham OF Taladega.
StyDr EducdiiOit--N. Il. Cloud OF Montgomery.
Sp,1 I,dNst Resomces-John G. Keller OF Mong omery.
Attorney GeHerGi-Joshua Morse Of Choctaw.
FOR CONGREss
DIST IF W. Kellogg of Mobile
DIST. 2-Chnrles ". Buckley Of Montgomery.
Dg. 3-B. W. Norris Of Gilmore.
Disi. t-ChaTlcs ". Pierce OF Marengo.
Dis. ID. " Burke OF Madison.
There are other nominations more OF less
regular, bat the Opposition have, of course,
made 10 nominations whatever.
As specimen of the style of electi0ueering
on the part of the ObstructiOnists, we copy the
following paragraph:
"The montgomery alabama SsItun ~ the 10Th says II
reported fact that the negroes in Monroe County
OF that state not permitted 10 leave plantation
without first procuring pass that gangs ~ men patrol
the county slave times and that IL gro caught
without pass OF the plantation where he is work,
the night time, he she hrtyniue ashes 10y
these gangs of self constituted peacekcepeis The Rebels
hope 10 lc ?lowcd tO maintain these rules the day OF
the election. order prevent colOred voters
from exercising the right oi franchise
Aud yet under all Encouragement. our
friends in Alabama hope to carry their new
Constitution, and fulfill their utmost duty
under the Congressional Reconstruction acts.
May Heaven send them triumph,