The New Orleans crescent. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1866-1869, 1868-01-28
THE KICoHsTRUCTIox CONVENTION.
TORTY-SINTH DAY.


MONDAY, Jan. ~, 1858.
Convention met at 10 A. NJ. Judge Taliaferro
presiding; ffty-six delegates present;
Resolutions by McMillen Of Carroll, ordering
two hundred copies of the tax ordinance and
those supplementary thereto 70 be printed and
distributed among sherifs and tax collectors
throughout the State, and refunding 10 parties
who have paid penal assessments thereupon, the
extra sums so paid, were adopted.
An ordinance by Cromwell, colored, OF Orleans
declaring aliens all those who may have been pro.
hibited from voting for delegates TO this conven-
ton by reason Of having voluntarily taken an oath
TO support the Constitution Of the Confederate
States, C'but the General Assembly may remove
such disability by q tHo-third vote Of each
House,O was laid over.
DIsFRANcHIsEMEST.
The discussion OF Cooley's amendment to Wick
lihe's substitute was resumed.
Mr.. hcMillen, OF Carroll, made an eloquent ar
gument in behalf Of q universal amnesty, taking
high moral ground in support Of his position. He
pointed to the attitude which, under the name OF
Fenianism, many Of the Irish people had assumed
toward Great Britain, and asked whether q sini-
lar course might not justly be expected should
the great body OF the conquered Southern people
be prescribed. Let US, said he, prevent the per-
petuation Of luminosity BY opening wide the gaze
and admitting all to this our temple Of loyalty.
We have a law wide enough, and expan-
sive enough, to cover every case of
treason which has ever occurred in the
country. The principles Of republican go"
tented, disa1ected element In the State. Their
hatred would grow with time they would trans
nit from generation to generation, as an inheri-
lance, their hostility to the United States. Aud
shall we encourage this, or shall we open the
door, and ask them all TO come in and participate
in the government OF the State And to you, col
ored delegates. would say that, as the people OF
the North have effected your Acknowledgement
upon the broad ground Of right. so should you
generously extend TO the people OF the South the
same privilege for the success OF the repubic de-
ponds upon 1t.
meDt, and advocated, as previously, the disfran-
chisement Of all those dsfranchised by acts Of
Congress-
Fuller, Of Avoyelles, desired upon this question
10 express the sentiments OF the parish which he
represented. He should be derelict in his duty IL
he did not do so. He took the broad ground of a
universal amnesty, excepting from ii those who
were guerillss and treated prisoners OF war with
cruelty. Any other course could only be dictated
by yindictiveness II is better for ten guilty men
TO escape than for one innocent one to suffer.
Many men in his parish had been compelled by
superior force to give up their own private con-
victions and enter the Confederate service.
Among these may be found the most loyal men Of
tbe State, and yet, on account OF having held OFF,
cial positions before the war; must they be eX-
cudedg can imagine, said the speaker, the
feelings Of man so disranchised. He Is virtually
an exile, and will inevitably become an enemy to
the United States. In case OF foreign war,
where will his heart be! Let us condone the
offense, if 1t was Onense aud show that we de-
sire they shall become our allies, our confed-
crates, our best friends.
Burrill (colored), Of ST. John Baptist said 1t was
all very well 10 appeal to Scripture in adducing
legal arguments. but he remembered that two
weeks ago a resolution offered by him, providing
for an observance of the Sabbath, had been tabled
almost before it reached the desk.
Upon motion. Judge Cooley's amendment was
laid on the table by a vote OF "a to 80.
McMillen, Of Carroll, offered an amendment en-
bOdying his views as expressed above. Laid on
the Table by vote OF IS to 80.
Hampstead, Of Ascension, moved a reconsider.
aton as he was satisfied that many delegates had
not been aware that the amendment proposed
was worded similarly to the clause in the recon
structon acts. pertinent thereto.
The convention refused to reconsider.
A motion by Mr.. Cooley, that his amendment be
taken up from the table, was carried by q vote
of 81 TO 20, and the previous question was or
dered.
Mr.. Tinehant, (colored,) OF Orleans moved to
reconsider the vote calling the previous question.
The chair declared that the amendment, II
adopted, would cut of others, whereupon an ap-
peal was taken.
Mr.. Jones, of Orleans. rose to speak, stating
that certain delegates who we're DESTROYS of al
hitting with one fen swoop all traitors to the bal.
lot box, when hey found themselves in bad
box, resorted to parliamentary devices, etc.
Mr.. Ludeling, Of Ouachits, called the speaker
10 CTder, saying: "If the delegate applies those
remarks to me, pronounce them willful false.
hood"
Jones-"I apply them to any man who takes
them. You can find me at my room, sir, at any
time.n
The ruling OF the chair was not sustained and
The vote ordering the previous question was re-
considered.
The convention then refused 10 lay CoOley's
amendment on the table by vote Of 81 to ~.
The previous question then came up. Wickliffe
rose TO speak, but was ruled out OF order. He
appealed from the decision but the appeal was
lOst by vote of 26 TO 40. The amendment was
then voted on and lost by vote of Al to 40. up
roar and applause inside and outside the BARI
Without coming TO any further vote, the con-
veniion adjourned to 10 A. NJ. to-day.