Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1868-08-12
EXCITEMENT IN THE ALABAMA
LEGISLATURE

The Bill Authorizing the Legislature to
Cast the Electoral Vote OF the state We.
toed by Governor Smith-Grrat Excite.
ment in the Senate-The CarPet.Baggers
Denounced-Threats, kc.
hutter was caused in the LEGISLATURE OF
Alabama on Monday. Governor Smith sent
message Of the bill authoring the Legislat ure to
cast the electoral vote Of the State. Governor
Smith says:
After the most mature reflection, am forced
to the conclusion that the bill is wrong in pnn.
ciple, and that il would be a dangerous pr
cedent in republican government. AS my
judgment does not approve the bill, il is my
constitutional duty 70 return it TO the Senate,
with my objections. II cannot but be regarded
as remarkable that the first Republican Legs
lature convened IN Alabama shall, IN the face
OF the principles OF Its organization, which
every Republican processes TO hold dear, deny,
mol only to the coloied, but TO the white man,
the right, by his vote, TO indicate his choice for
a President and Vice President Of the United
States, and take the matter in its own hands
What excuse can there be tor IT. Is il
mere party expediency. If so, then II is
an abandonment OF principles, or an
acknowledgment that the material out OF which
the Republican party is composed cannot be
trusted. In other words, il is 10 say that the
colored man will not do TO be trusted. This
action OF the General Assembly will De regard
ed as still moro remarkable when considered
in connection with what seems to have beer
the almost unanimous opinion Of the leading
members Of the Republican party in AIabama.
1t was believed by most Of them, and so repre-.
sented at Washington, that q large majority of
the voting population Of The State were in favor
Of the new constitution. This was as m uch as
to say that the Republican party was in large
majority in the Slate: tor it is well known that
none but Republicans favored the con stitution,
and then some OF those oppos d ii. If the party
is as strong as it has been supposed TO be, then
the necessity Of party expediency does not ex-
list. But even II it did exist, would we be jus
the election of Grant and Celfax. am unwiI-
ling 70 become party, in behalf Of that desira-
BILE result, TO scheme which practically de.
ard bearers stand pledged before the country.
The message created warm discussion An
caused much bitterness. Meesrs. Sibiey Coon,
and other extreme Radicals were violent in
thsf expressions about the Governor. Mr.
Coon strongly urged the defeat Of the veto, and
said the men who were sustaining the Gov.
ernor in tins matter IVES to get up war. II
the war must come, let IL come. He was ready
for IL, and ninety thousand freemen OF Alabama
would give lthe opposition bellyfull Of war
before it was over, while he would stand by
and victory would perch on ITS banners.
Mr.. Jones replied TO Mr.. Coon, and told h i'm
that his remarks were Evolutionary; but that
war would last until none Of his sort desc
Grated the soil OF Alabama. He said he was a
Republican, but when war Is talked about,
and Aiaoamians ,.nd are &c 20 re e. siaugntered' he
own people. He said he could raise a squad
ron Of town boys and whip out anything the
gentleman lrOm Iowa cOulO Drlng against him.
He could marshal twenty thousand colored
men to FOLLOW his banner in defence of Ala
hama and Alabamians. The colored men OF
intelligence knew that carpet.baggers were not
their friends, and that . sQuatter would desert
them IN the hour OF peril and need.
The debate was conducted altogether by Re.
pubhcans, there being but one Dsmocra, in tne
Senaie. Without action, the Senate adjourned
u Is not likely that the bill can become q law
over the Governors veto.
= The following card from Mr.. Jones, Repub.
lican. appearsi in yesterdays papers. Mr. Jones
and Mr.. Coon are both Republican Senators
SENATE CHAMBER, Aug. IL, 1867
Having been denied the privilege OF repeat.
ing in the senate MI. Coon's incendiary re.
marks In The Governors office, on the morn.
ing Of the llth of August, I hereby pu blish said
remarks, to the best Of my recollection. He said
10 the Governor that he would not leave here
antl some measure was sdopted for the pro.
lection OF those whom he calls loyal men. thas 1
IL any Union mans blood Was spiiIed in Dallas \
county, he wouldlav the houses OF Dallas eoun.a
ty and he city Of Selma in ashes. 9The|
II