The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1868-03-25
TEE PRoposED coNsT1TUTIoN.

szsz=.zzuzz-sszszs eS.zs,z..1E
TIE PROPOSED CONSTITUTION.
We give the remaining articles of the proposed
Constitution in this issue, promised last week
Let us examine few of the clauses in order thai
we may more perfectly understand the designs and
purposes of the Radical party of this State.
The homestead clause will probably meet with
general favor among an already impoverished peo-
Pile, and without endorsing the action of an uncon-
stitutional body, we can tru,hfully declare that
such Law receives unqualified appreciation
But the trouble rs that this clause cannot be made
| retrospective. end will not be sustained by any
Court as relieving the people from obligations con.
tracted previous to its adoption. The naked truth
is, that the Radicals have incorporated this clause,
in the manner they have, in order TO deceive The
people, obtain for their Constitution the approba-
ton IF good men and true, from amongst the nu-
merous class involved in debt This is their object,
and it was.as distinctly avowed by several advo-
Gates of the measure during the several debates on
that subject. We warn our people not to be de-
ceived by this piece of chieanery nor allow them:
selves to become fascinated, in any manner what
soever with measure not intended for their
relief, but really to delude them into support OF
other most odicus schemes.
Tile suffrage question, perhaps, is the most repre-
hensible of all the clauses incorporated in this in
strument. Those now disfranchiscd are not only
prohibited from voting under this Constitution, but
there is no provision made for the removal of their
political disabilities hereafter. Whatever the de-
A.
present or future, the mere holding of any dis
qualifying office prior to the war and afterwards
engaging in the rebellion" is sufficient reason to
withhold the right of suffrage forever. On the
other hand, every negro is allowed to vo1e, and
hold Office, from the most intelligent to the most
debased. Is there white man of any respecta-
bility in society who is willing thus degrade his
own race for the purpose of elevating into power
the lowest and mcanest negroes?
The militia system is to be thoroughly organized
and equipped, and will be maintained on all e1-
tensive and expensive SCALE There is to be no dis
tinction, beyond what will necessarily result from
the fondness of the negro for display and pompos-
ty, and their assiduity in obtaining Office. Tire
practical effect of establishing the militia this
basis can readily be seen, and white men will be
compelled to acknowledge the superiority of a.ne-
gro oficcrwhenever elected, under heavy pennlties
Where will.this state of things lead? WILL men
forced into these mongrel assemblages always sub
mil 10 the insolcnce of the negro, dressed up ina
little brief authoritX?
g The educational ciavsc provides for the compu-
sorry attendance, at either pubic or private schools:
of all children between the ages of SIX and sixteen
years, not mentally Or physically disabled, for n
teri. equivalent to twenty-four MONTHS and all
schools supported by the public funds are open to
children, irrespective of race, color or previous
condition. Parents who unable, therefore, TO
pay for the tuition of their children, will be COM
PEELED to seek the public schools, where all alike
share the benefits. This especially appeals to the
poor man, who would avert the degradation of
having his children subjected TO the companion
ship and dnily intercourse of negro children.
While the more favored will not allow their chill
dren TO attcnGthes public schools. every man who
is unfortunate enough be unable to pay for tut
ton, will be compelled by law TO- send their Off
spring.
These are some of the salient points of the pro-
posed organic law of the land, and ask every
man interested in the preservation of peace and
good order TO set the seal Of condemnation upon
these infamous propositions and vote against their
adoption.