New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1868-07-01
THE MTssIssIpPT EIEoTION,

ALL AAbRAbpA1AA DAhO4AONar
Voting for or against the ratification of
the new constitution in Mississippi began
on Monday, twenty-second Of June, and,
under the peculiar tactics introduced in
that State by General Ord, continues to go
on at the present time. As some OF our
readers may not fully understand the de-
tails, we will explain them. Three regis
trars were appointed for each county, to
compose the board. In the conduct of the
election, however, they were directed to
divide their county into three several geo.
graphical parts and assign one Of these
divisions to each registrar, and il is made
his duty to supervise the election in each
town or township in his part of the county.
To this end he was to proceed
to the place, after sufficient notice,
and appoint judges Of the election, who
were to conduct the voting under the i'm
mediate direction of the registrar. Usual
| ly day was to be devoted to each town;
but the registrar had power to extend the
time of voting to more than one day if he
found it necessary, or to close the polls
when all had voted before the close of
the day, and proceed to another. Under
this plan some of the registrars would nee
essarily require more time to complete
their divisions than others. But the voting
is to continue until every town in the State
has been visited.
All the reports thus far received indicate
that the constitution has been defeated by a
considerable majority, but as the shave
not all voted, it can by no means be con-
eeded that such will be the result
But let us contemplate for moment the
future of Mississippi ifthe constitution shall
have been really defeated. Experience has
proved that military rule in State, how
ever just and equitable it may be, has a
most depressing influence upon its prosper
ity, It causes feeling of want of stability,
Of uncertainty for the future. None Of the
| Southern States can make any progress in
| agriculture, commerce, manufactures,
finance, or any of the great branches Of in
dustry without aid from sections possessed
of means. Every city in the South looks to
the North for capital or credit as basis
for business. The reluctance shown by
Northern capitalists to invest their means
in the unreconstructed States was founded
upon carefully considered reasons, which
will continue to be applicable to those To-
calities where reconstruction has not been
effected. Mississippi has, therefore, in
voting against the new constitution Gf
such be the case), voluntarily undertaken
to continue the stagnation and decay ever
present where there is no progress. The
free Omen have been inveigled into voting
against their own most vital interests, and
RENTED themselves to the PROSECUTIONS of
their hereditaryenemies. The whites have
voted to continue the yoke Of military rule
on their neclxs, and financial paralysis and
stagnation throughout the State. And the
time rapidly draws near when
there will be change in the
occupant of the White House, when
a man will be President who is altogether
of different character to Andrew johnson.
Under his administration district command
ers win be required to pay some regard to
the spirit as well as the letter of the laws of
Congress. And as it is not probable that
any more reconstruction laws will be pass
ed, or Mississippi be afforded another OPP
portunity to reject the easy terms recently
offered, we conceiveshe has imposed upon
herself long period Of probation before
she viii have an opportunity to take her
place in the family Of States. We hope,
however, that the result Of the election
may be different from that at present fore
Swallowed.