The Van Buren press., 1868-09-04

yolliug toall decent men that The people
finally aroused from their IcIhargy, and
by ten or twelve thousand, voted down
the Infamous thing. But alas under the
new order OF things, although we profess
To live under n republican form OF gov
eument, the voice of thePcop!e Is no
longer the supreme law BY unblush'
ing and stupcndous frauds, unparalleled
in the worlds history, the sovereign peo
pie were cheated out Of the result, and 10y
the manipulations Of imported political
bandits, the Constitution was declared
adopted While the Convention pretend
ed to frame q Constitution for the good
orall thcpcoplc, the instrument proclalms
itself the weapon of party. It's object Is
to pcrpetVate power in the hands OF the
Radical party and carry the State for
Grant and Colfax. To secure this end
an attempt is made by its franchise claus
cs. to disfranchisc 4 host Of the good
men of the State. But ah
"Thc best laid plans ofmice and men
Alt gang aslee'
! propose, fellow-cltizens' to discuss
the DISTINGUISHING feature Of this Consu-
tuition, candid, ~ fairly, and am per
suaded that can convince any fair mind
ed man that the Radicals have utterly
failed to accomplish the object design
ed, and that all, who are not included in
the nth Amendment, can take the oath
and ought to do so and register, and vote
anything they may claim, to the contrary
notwithstanding. let us first direct our
attention to the clauses in which are in
cluded those not permitted to register, or
vote, or hold office;
SEC |. Those who during the rebellion
took the oath of allegiance, or gave bond for
loyalty and good behavior to the United states
Government, and afterwards gave aid. com
fort or countenancc to those engaged in arm
ed hostility 10 the Government OF the United
States. either by becoming soldier III the
rebel army, or by entering the lines OF said
army. or adhering in any way to the cause OF
rebellion, or by accompanying any armed
force belonging TO the rebel army or by fur
nishing supplies of any kind to the same
But few persons will come within the
meaning of this clause and | therefore
pass on to
SIC. 2. Those who are disqualified as cleo
tors, or from holding Office in the state or
States from which they came,
During my stay in Washington City, |
had the good fortune to hear conference
between the leading men of the Radical
party in Congress and some of the mem
bcrs from Arkansas. 1t was in the dusk
of evening and either did not see me or
did not know who ! was. The PROPOSE
ton discussed was, the prospect Of carry
inc this State for Grant and COlfaX. The
leaders desired TO know, what assurance
the members from Arkansas could give
them, that Arkansas could be carried for
the Radical nominees by permitting the
people to vote upon the unnstion. ii
tUey coulu not give good guarantees, then
the project was to rob the people Of all
voice in the election, and give to the Rad
ical Legislature the powerto cast the vote
for Presidential electors. Among other
things, the Arkansas members declared
that they had provided by their Constitu,
ton, Us stated in section two. which ]
have lust read and that would distranchisC
about 5000 men from Missouri and Ten.
they were distranclliscd
in the States from which they came.
Nearly all of them having been connected
in some way, with the Southern cause
Let US see if these conspiratorS were cor
rect From what State did these mef
come, or ninc-tenths of them at any rate
They came, not from Missouri, but from
1eroS. In Texas they were not distran
chiscd and consequently do not come
within the meaning of the clause-conse-
qucntly can register and vote. But these
fellows have caught themselves in the
snare deliberately set for others, Hun.
dreds ofnegrocs came from Texas to this
State. and not being electors there are dis
by this clause. Hundreds OF
Others came from Missouri, they cannot
vote or hold Office in Missouri, conse-
qucntly come within this clause and can
not be permitted to register, vote, or hold
office Not because they love the negro
less but they love their offices more. In
their blind zeal for phmdcr and power
they have diSfranchSed hundreds Of ne
grocs and failed to catch the white man.
SIC 3. Those persons who. during the late
rebellion, Violated the rules of civilized war
fare
! am 10th to believe that any of my
hearers come within this clause, and if
they do they are not fit to have voice in
the Government and ought TO be disiran-
chised, he they eX-conicdcrate or cx fed
cral soldiers. The lth section or subd-
vision, includes those distranchised by the
lIth Amendment and Military bills, Ex.
ccutIvc and Judicial officers, members of
Congress, etc, before the war who after.
wards gave aid and comfort, etc. None
who registered before are included in this
clause The 9th includes those guilty of
" l1gltcGsQHcr ia lMccn--fnr which vour
former |. $. Marshal was removed but
the other day" bribery etc. These
offences will seriously affect the opposite
party The 9th, An those who are idi
ots or insane My God how sin has
blinded these loyal constitution makers
They must be blind else they would not
have Out in this - ,auso" ,n,nnr tho ros,