The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1868-06-12

was arrested and imprisoned. Gov Sharkey
was appointed in his place. The latter, at
the instance of the President, called a State
convention to adopt constitution. This
convention assembled in Augu t, 1868, and
adopted constitution Republican in fOlm-
aboiishing slavery, protecting the rights of
freedmen in all respects, but not conterring
on them the elective fl anchise.
Under this constitution the Legislature
convened. The State was regularly organ
lied in all its departments. All State officers
were duly elected, and Congressman and
Senators were also elected and sent on to
represent us in the Federal Government. Our
Representatives were rejected on the ground
that the freedmen were not allowed to vote
CONGRESS EXTENDS ELECTIVE FRAN
CHISE TO FREEDMEN.
Congress then passed and submitted to
the States for ratification, what was called
the l4th article, as an amendment OF the
Constitution of the United States, intended
to confer the elective franchise on the feed
men. This was rejected by our Legislature
Then came the Reconstruction acts-the
object of which was to compel the people
of Mississippi, with other States, to enfran-
cblse the negro. These acts provided that
the negroes should vote in common with the
white electors not disfranchised, for the
delepates to the convention to be assembled
under said acts-and that when SAID con-
yention should adopt constitution extend
inc the elective franchise to all male adults
of whatever race, color or previous con-
6ition. twenty-one years of age and upwards,
etc said States should be admitted TO rep
resentation in Congress. The convention
was accordingly elected-lt assembled at
the capital and could have performed all
ths, dntv assigned it by striking single
word from our present constitution.
DUTY OF CONVENTION.
The electoral clause in the present constl-
tution provides, that Every free WR''e nliie .
person of the age OF tWehty-one 9o"de *b@ ~
nnvards. who shall be citizen OF tne
Tinted States ard shall have resided III TINS
state one year next preceding an electloh'
ond the last four months within the county
a;ty or town. in which he offers to vote, snail
he deemed qualified etector
By striking cut the word Whtte' In 'n1 I1
6rst line of this clause, 1T would lncluoe dii
free male persons OF the age ol eN !aoIoT
rears and upwards, of whatever race colol
I'D nrevious condition, and this would nave
49,, a fnll adoption of the act OF congress
and a compliance with its terms.
~ frst section of the bill OF rights 81
a. ,srosant constitution also declares Iha'
III ffreemen when thew form social con- com
nact are equal in rights. AS the nesious .s
pra t,ara made free by special orainahoo, ocS Sp
snded wers to this constitution in August, .a9a 800
penaeu are u included in this declaration OF thf
,!1y tiuy n;abts and hence it is seen thaG tnt
bill Oh e4;on flg4So, which Congress ever made te
oniy Jon+ constitution could nave Deol
pemedied par by the convention by striking egou Ud
the said word white; and tnls twentv.fon1 wo,a .f
| have been accomplished Within ,biad smb an(
hours th hody % could have adjourned with tnret nTs
5ne @ oo6s fer it's organization, with It's woll ,l
an' ali complete and at trifing expense W W.
State