Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-01-15
"RECONSTRUCTION.,
What the Southern Niger
Conventions have Done
and are Doing.
A Beautiful Record of Nzalig'
nifty, Ignorance and
Rascality.
From .he NY. Herald, 9th.l


wrangling or fsticufing, or an appeal
for aims, we would hardly realize that
the work of Congressional reconstruc.
ton is now going on. or supposed to be
going on, in FIVE of the ten Southern un-
Reconstructed States-to wit, Virginia,
Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi and Lou
isiana.
Alabama, the first to start the ball un-
der the programme of negro supremacy
reconstruction, has passed its period. oil
CESSATION and given birth to singular
hybrid in the shape of State constltu'
ton. In this political monstrosity are
embraced provisions which even the
widest Radical in Congress cannot hnd
il in his conscience to indorse. Among
these are the free suffrage, white dlstran-
chisement, confiscation, negro jury,
amalCamation and other favorite theo-
ries of the Radicals, TO say nothing OF
the very latitudinarian principles OF the
trainers of the constitution on the sub
jects of matrimony and divorce. The
election for the acceptance or rejection
of this instrument is fixed for the 4th and
9Th proximo, and in the meantime the
canvass, which also includes the choice OF
State officers under the new constitution,
goes on with more than usual fervor on
the part of the white population in oppo-
sition 10 the negro supremists.
In Virginia, what with the constitu-
tional convention, the Conservative con-
yention, the meeting of other bodies and
the negro highdays and holidays insep-
arabic from the season, there has been
lively time at Richmond for some weeks
past. The constitutional convention met
on the Sd of December, and has pursued
radical course from the beginning
| The radical framework of the new con-
stitution has been presented by piece
| meal, and discussions, alike amusing,
| instructive and humiliating, have fol-
lowed. The negroes have the upper
hand, and the most ultra measures have
been proposed. In the distribution OF
privileges to the inhabitants it is difficult
| To ascertain where those vouchsafed the
white man come in. The proceedings of
the convention are not only radical, but
revolutionary and were it not from fear
of the military they would. no doubt, be
characterized by acts of violence which
the records of negro rule in other climes
cannot parallel.
The Georgia reconstruction convention
(which convened December 81 has just
reassembled at Macon, after a recess OF
some days. The subjects thus far dis
cussed in its deliberations are similar
to those embraced in the Alabama con.
yention. with one exception-that OF
nav. The Alabama assemblage voted
| itself a certain amount per head per day,
and we believe the sums we're paid out
Of funds in the treasury. In the case OF
the Georgia convention, however, those
who held the keys of the public exche-
auer refused to honor the drafts of the
convention, and hence there were ter
rible complaint and worriment among
the poor black delegates. Some very
honorably vent to work at one dollar
and half per day on public improve
ments, and thereby were enabled to
subsist without running into debt or
becoming tax upon public charity. 1t
is now proposed, we perceive, to issue
State notes for the payment of the wages
of the members, the credit of the State,
so far as the convention has power
to do so. being pledged for their redemp'
ton. Finally, we see Congress entering
the field in behalf of the delegates, and
one sympathizing Senator proposes to
sweep out of existence at one fell swoop
all Of the State officers who have the
temority to question the authority of the
Convention. That game was tried at the
initiation Of the Alabama Convention
and proved a losing one. Whether 1t
will fare better in the case Of the Georgia
Convention remains to be seen. Gen.
Meade, however, is now on the ground,
having superseded Gen. Pope, and, as
the former has the reputation of being
wiser and more conciliatory COM
mapder than the latter, hopes are enter
tanned of peaceful solution of pending
difficulties.
The Louisiana Convention has been
dragging along slow and uninterest-
ing existence of some seven weeks, and
has really accomplished nothing beyond
the adoption of few provisions respect
ing the rights of the blacks to the ballot,
the jury, TO public conveyances and pub
lie hotels. The question Of pay and
mileage was among the first disposed of.
A number Of personal wrangles, in
which the newspaper reporters came in
for their share of abuse, was also the
case in the Virginia and Georgia Con-
ventions, have marked the progress of
the Louisiana assemblage. In neither
of the Conventions now in session are
there evidences of immediate dissou-
ton, however much such consumma-
ton MIGHT be devoutly wished for.
IN all these Conventions, in ell these
unreasonable efforts Of the Radicals to
demonstrate the capsbility of the untu-
tored negro for seIfgovernment, we OBJ
serve no indications Of the prospective
advancement of the black race, except
IL be upon the neeks of the Southern
whites. Hereupon, of course, the whites
must accept the challenge, aud a strug-
gle, in which the blacks will assuredly
come out second best must ensue. In
Virginia we already see that many
wretched blacks have betaken themselves
to their primitive huts in forests and
wiIdernesses, almost outside the bounds
Of civilization, and are there relapsing
into a condition worse than absolute
African bsrbarism and heathenism.