The national Republican., 1868-12-08
The CoDstitutionsi Provision AboI.
ishing slavary.

In the Senate Of the United States yesterday
Mr.. Sumner introduced . bill to enforce
the several provisions Of the Constitution
abolisbing slavery, declaring the immunitiss
of citizens. and guaranteeing a republican
form Of government BY securing the elective
franchise to citizens deprived Of 1t BY reason
Of race, color or previous condition. 1t pre-
misss that whereas the Constitution Of the
United States abolishss slavery everywhere
within the Jurisdiction thereof, so that all
constitutions, laws and regulations Of any
State or Territory In aid Of slavery or growing
out Of the same are null and void; and where
as the same Constitution. In another provision
recently adopted, declares that no State shall
make or enforce any law abridging the priv.
legos or immunities Of citizens Of the United
States; and whereas, also, Congress 10 en-
powered to enforcs, BY appropriate legislation,
these several provisions, which cannot be done
without securing the elective franchise to
citizens who have been deprived Of ths same
BY reason Of race. color or previous condition
and whereas further II 10 expressly declared
In the Constitution that Congress shall guar.
antee to every State In the Union . rspubli.
can form Of government, and II Is plain that
inequality OF rights Is inconsistent with . 70.
publican form Of government and the pro.
mises of the Declaration Of Independents;
now, therefore, bo It enacted, DO,
That no citizen Of the United States shall
be deprived Of the elective franchise BY reason
Of race, color or previous condition, but oil
citizens without regard to rsoe. color or pre-.
vious condition shall have the right. II NOT
sths5.ss .J,. aqSsnsa. sa..S 70 Do ress.sroe' ana
grsss, Presidential electors, Representative
| and Senators to State aud Territorial Legisla
tures. tor all State. county, city, town and
| other officers Of every kind upon equal termi
and conditions, aud every provision Of any
constitution, statute or ordinance, and every
custom 10 any State or Territory inoonsisten,
herewith is declared null and void.
Section 2 provides for fno and imprisonment
Of any person attempting to prevent or OBJ
struct the vote Of any citizen on account o.
race or color.
Section 8 provides that any register o.
voters or election judges who refuse to regis
ter or receive the vote Of any person on 40
count Of race, color or previous condition o
servitude shall be punished BY fine Of not les
than $500 or moro than $4,000, or BY impris
onment In the common Jail for not less thai
8 months nor more than 2 years.
Section four gives exclusive jurisdiction Il
the United States district courts Of all sfsnee
committed against this act, and the distrio
attorneys. marshals and commissioners Of sal,
courts have power to arrest, imprison. and bal
offenders; and the officers and agents Of tn
Fresdmen's Bureau and any other office
specially directed BY the President are sm
powered at the expense OF the United State
to institute proceedings against any person VIII
violates the provision Of this act.
Section Eve provides that any citilen un
lawfully deprived Of his right 70 vote unds
pretsnco Of race, color, or previous condition
Of servitude, may maintain suit against an.
person so depriving him, and recover damage
10 the district court Of the United States 70
the district In which hs resides.