The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-04-10
CAN THE CONSTITUTION BE m
FRATEDs

Edf0T CTeScen-ln my humble opinion the
above s the most momentous question ever sub
In It is involved the peace, happiness and pros
perity of the State for years to come In com.
parson with 1t all other questions sink into com
parafive insignifcance. In II IL involved the su-
premacy Of the white or black race. That is the
plain issue. Every man is called upon by his duty
to himself, to his family, to his race and to his
country TO take sides with those who are battling
to defeat Constitution conceived In sin and
brought forth in iniquy, and that Is sought TO be
fastened upon the State BY means of fraud and
corruption. These are plain. simple facts, with
which every man of intelligence must be con-
yersant. t 91
The question then is, how can this odious thing
be defested, The answer is, by every man doing
his duty, by not only voting anst 1t himself, but
seeing that others who are permitted to vote do
not fail TO discharge that duty. For 1t Is well
known that there are men who think so much
about their business than public Affairs, that
they allow their indifference to keep them from
the polls. In ordinary times, when the contest is
simply for office, this would be pard0nable. But
now the rights and liberties of the white race are
at stake, and no man should be permitted to ne
glect SO important duty as voting against the
Constitution that seeks the oppression and degra-
dation of his race. That some have neglected to
register is lamentably true. None who have re-
gsfered should be suffered TO neglect to vote. II
any 80 situated that they cannot neglect their
business sufficient length of time to 60 to the
required. 1t is necessary that every white man
who can should vote against the black and tan
Constitution. and II all do, the obnoxious thing
will most unquestionably be defeated.
Another important duty Is TO at least attempt
TO undeceiye the colored population as to the ul-
terror designs Of those who are urging them to
vote for the Dryades street Constitution. 1t
should be explained to these people that their
among whom they were born and raised and that
the object Of those who are seeking to array the
black against the white population OF this State is
to gain temporary power, the better to enable
them to plumber both classes. The negro popula-
tiop should and can be convinced that the white
men who are urging them to contend for the su-
premacy are lot their true friends; that they ad-
NIT that the political equality Of the two races
cannot be maintained, and that their only object
in advocating IL now is place and piunder. These
men know that the success of the colored race In
the pending contest can only be temporary, and
that when the day for reaction comes they viii
fee the country with their illgotten gain leaving
those whom they have duped, misled and heeced
to their fate.
large number of the more intelligent Of the
colored men of this State have had their eyes
opened TO the real designs of the carpet baggers,
and are disposed to act In concert with the white
voters, but fear insult and outrage at the hands
Of the loyal leaguers. This Class Of voters should
be guaranteed protection in the peaceful exercise
Of the rights conferred upon them by the acts Of
Congress. These colored men see that their race
is doomed TO defeat 10 contest with the white
race either for political equality or supremacy /;
they see that emigration from all parts Of the
world daily adds TO the white population, while
that Of the colored is dependent solely upon the
natural source OF increase hence, they have
wisely concluded not to engage. in q contest that
at best can result only In temporary success,
and may entail upon the country consequences
the most disastrous to the peace, happiness and
prosperity of both races.
Taking this view Of the contest, with the means
to be used to insure the defeat Of q Constitution
fraught with such evil to all classes Of the com
munity, for do not doubt the result, If every
man who has at heart the best interests Of the
country viii do his duty. Every other considers
ton should be made subservient to the paramount
duty of defeating the Dryades street Constitution.
II this is done, glorious prospect will open
before the city and the State.
A THIRD WARD DEMOCRAT.