Middletown transcript., 1868-02-15
m. aisSaaa conss,sui,on.

aud negro prejudice has been defeated at
the polls. A fair vote was had, and the
people of Alabama have decided that they
will not accept this constitution as the or
ganic law Of the commonwealth. The most
extraordinary exertions were made by the
Radicals with the hope Of inducing the
people to endorse he work of The late con-
vention. Appeals were issued, tthe me-
groes urged by special messengers dis
patched to the different Loyal Leagues,
money sent from the North to be used
wherever necessary. and the whole machi-
Dery Of the Radical party pub in motion
In order to accomplish their purpose. The
numbsr- voting places was. increased, so
that all could be accommodated, and white
men were threatened with the vengeance
Of the party in power, if they dared to
counsel or advise, the negroes as TO the
manner in which they should cast their
votes. In n'addition TO this, the time of
voting was extended, lat the solicitation Of
the leaders and managers of the negro
party, and thus affair opportunity given to
test, the sentiments of the inhabitants Of
Alabama on the question of adopting or
rejecting the new Constitution. .ua
III has been rejected What course will
the Radicals now pursnef VIII they en-
dorse the action Of the people, as they are
bound to do in republic, or adopt the
despotic system, and keep the State out of
the Unionj the people in chains, until they
accept whatever form of constitutional law
Congress may decide uponio This latter
course is the one in harmony with all the
movements of the party in power in regard
to the Southern States They claim and
exercise the right of legislating for the
people Of that section without reference to
their will or desire. Negroes have been
raised to the position of voters, and white
men disfranchised by Congressional action.
States have been destroyed by the same
means. and military despotism placed over
millions of white American freemen Ac-
ting upon a like theory, Congress now
proposes to impeach and suspend the Pres
ident, and thus virtually place the North
ern States in the same category as those of
the South, so far as their rights are pro-
tected and guaranteed by the Executive
branch of the Federal government. If
this is done, the Constitution of this State,
New York. or Ohio, will be as worthless
as that of Alabama, and Congress will reign
supreme in the North as well as the South.
The action of Congress- upon the case
of Alabama will be interesting as devel-
oping the real views of the Radical party
in regard to the sanctity of elections in the
South, when these elections run counter
to the purposes of the gang oferaitors
whichinow rules the land. Congress or
dered the Convention which framed the
Constitution of Alabama Congress pro-
tected that body; Congress declared that
the Constitution should be submitted to
the people, and Congress fixed the number
of votes that must be cast TO make it valid
All these fornIs have been complied with,
and the people win not accept the work Of
the tools and agents of Stevens, Butler,
and Boutwell,. They are opposed to ne
gro reconstruction and the management
and designs of the ruling party Of the
country. Will that decision be respected
4 and the masses suffered to manage their
own affairs q We think not. The Radi-
Gals must have the votes of the negroes
under their control at the coming Preei-
Dental election. and they will reach that
point, no matter if to do so they must dis
regard dozen elections such as that which
has just taken place in Alabama. If the
| pecpleiof the North do not act in firm
and decided manner, in short time the
| elections in this section will be of no more
binding 1force upon the Radicals than
those in the South. h.--Aqe. lHr
| 80. From tas Nes York World, Of 7,aursday.
| The speculation which has prevailed for
the last two days as to what Congress
would do in consequence Of the defeat Of
the negro constitution in Alabama, nc
longer wanders in Wilderness of doubt.
Senator Sherman introduced yesterday the
following preamble and bill:
| Whereas, The people of the state of Alabama
have, in strict compliance with the fifth section Of
the act Of March q, 1857 entitled tAn act to pro
vide for the more efficient government Of the rebe
States" formed a constitution In conformity with
the Constitution of the United States, framed by
constitutional delegates elected In compliance witt
| said act; -
! A,,d 9hereas said constitution has been ratified
by'a majority of qualified persons voting on th,
| question Of ratification required by said act
| therefore, Et
L Be Il e,saeted, That the State Of Alabama ia en-
titled 10 representation In Congress- and Senator
and Representatives shall be admitted therefron
on their taking The oath prescribed by law.
Wesuppose that this, or something equiv.
alent to this, will be passed by botl
Houses over the veto of the President
We have never doubted that Congress,
would perpetrate any outrage which the,
deemed necessary to success and after thei
gross and wilful violations of the Uonstitu
ton there was no reason to expect that the,
4 woud be bound by their own Reconstruc
ton acts BY these acts, the new Stat
I constitutions fall to the ground unless
| majority of the registered voters partici
pate In the elections in which they wer,
submitted for ratification. Congress there
I by entrapped the white citizens Of thos
States into supposing that they could de
feat the negro constitutions by staying
away from the polls. a nh ~ =