The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1868-06-24
Protest of the State of Louisiana to the Sen

their State Central Committee, make THIS protest
against any legislation by Congress to force upon tne
as the fundamental law OF LOUISIANA, tue cons''u''o
framed under the military bills
To the Senate of the United States they ADDRESS
their protest That body has yet reVisonafy contfo
over this constitution, and upon 1T rests the nha re-
sponsibity for this legislation. Though 1t has but
authority for the enactment of laws greater
w;sdom is supposed to reside in it's deliberations As
the equal assembly of the States charged to
the residuary sovereignty of the States its dignity, the
sense of its responsibilities and its superior statesman
ship enable it check the legislative power OF sup
posed majority of the people of the United states
when the social, educational and governmental insttu-
tions of State mperilled by inconslderate
aton the Senate recalling the original purpose OF us
creation to protect the weaker STATES, may rsn1y
pause and study the sequences OF its legsiaoh'
The judgment of posterty VIII De the Judgment VI the
present o-that the true OF the grleV-
and of the degradation of the white race is the
legislation of Congress. The forms of State conVen-
tons acting the agents of Congress, will not mltl-
gate your responsibility to the country. When our
future deplorable condition shall have made manifest
the evil conseu Of your laws, it will be too late
for remedial legislation. The claims Of civilsston,
the interests of humanity and the OF good gov
eminent suggest that it is wiser economy to prevent
those evils now than attempt to avert them here
after.
The past action of the people of this State sufficiently
records their protest against the mode by which the
convention was made exist. We now protest against
the constitution framed by that convention, because
its purpose is and its effect will be inject the white
race to the domination of the negro.
That We but anticipate the results intended by this
constitution will appear by considering lew OF Its
provisions.
Article 10. "All persons shall enjoy equal rights
and privileges upon any conveyance OF public char
acter and all places of business, OF pubic resort
for which license is required by either State, par
sh or municipal authority, shall be deemed places Of
public character, and shall be opened to the accom-
mediation and patronage of all persons, without dis
tnction discrimination on account OF race or color
An effort was made in the convention to limit this
ndiscrimuate patronage only to business that wouio
be licensed. By not requiring license, the Legisla
ture could then have allowed to the people that modi
of personal right recognised even under every ao
solute monarchy. The negro element would permit
protective barrier against bis concet tor supremacy
By asserting his power to invade and destroy the COM
monest rights of the whiterace-he understanding the
practical workings of this provisonat the time when
his right to vote had not been permanently secured to
him, when he was standing on the Threshold OF his
political existence, him struggle for supremacy
aud carry his point Is it reasonable to predict
that all subsequent legislation will be inspired by that
dninaus of antagonism, that frenzled demand Tor su
premacy enable him to gather the fruits of his ia
tai triumph?
Articles 81 and SO establish Parish Court in each
parish, which have probate jurisdiction in which al
SUGGESTIONS shall be opened and finally settled. This
court Is lnpeseu Will Juii0
dicton. The vast and intricate interests OF success
sions involving the grayes questions of law and the
estates of widows ard orphans to be settled by the
parish judges The rights of personal liberty are placed
within their cognisance Who to be parish judges
The negroes. No qualification, except citizenship, is
prescribed. The proposed vague qualification Learned
in the law was rejected. delegate has published
his signature, that he heard delegates say
.Ais done to enable freedmen to hold the
place Of parish judges"
TITLE vII-pUBL1c EDUCATION.
4" Art. 1856. The General Assembly shall establish al
least one free public school in every parish through
out the State and shall provide for its support Dy
alton or otherwise. All children of this State, be-
tween the ages of six 6 and twenty one 2l shall be
admitted to the public schools other institutions OF
learning sustained established by the State in com
mon without distinction of race, color or previous
condition There shall be separate schools or in
situations of learning established exclusively for any
race by the State of Louisiana.
art. 1856. No municipal corporation shall make
any rules regulations contrary to the spirit and III
tention of article hundred and thirty five (135).
cart. 142. A university shall be established and
maintained in the city of New Orleans. 1t shall be
composed of law, medical and collegiate depart.
ment, each with appropriate faculties. The General
Assembly shall provide by law for its organsaun and
maintenance Provided That all departments of this
institution of learning shall be opened in common to
all students capable of matriculating No rules or
regulations shall be made by the trustees faculties or
other officers OF institution OF
apy laws be made by the General Assembly violating
the letter or spirit of the articles under this title"
The attempt to establish separate schools, which
would have secured education to both races, failed
The white people generally pay the taxes for public
education. They thus practically debarred from
the privilege of educating their children in schools
supported by their money for upon this question OF
mixed schools the people of this State share the pride
and inherit the traditions of the Northern people
art &c. The following persons shall be prohibited
from voting from holding any office: All persons
who shall have been convicted of treason OF perjury
forgery bribery, other crimes punishable in the
penitentiary, and persons under Introduction.
:" ALI persons who are estopped from claiming the
right of suffrage by abb uring their allegiance to the
United States Government or by VIGOROUSLY levying
war against it, adhering to its enemies, giving them
aid or comfort but who have not expatriated them.
selves have been convicted of any of the crimes
mentioned in the first paragraph of this article are
hereby restored to the said right except the following:
Those who held office, civil military, for year or
more, under the organisation styled The Contede-
rate States of America those who registered them
selves enemies of the United States; those who
acted as leaders of guerrilla bands during the late
belion those who, in the advocacy OF treason wrote
Or published newspaper articles or preached sermons
during the late rebelion and those who voted for
and signed ordinance Of secession in any State. No
person included in these exceptions shall either vote
or hold office until he shall have relieved himself by
voluntary writing and signing certificate setting forth
that he acknowledges the late rebellion to have been
morally and politically wrong, and that he regrets any
mid or comfort he may have given it, and he shall
e the certificate in the Office of Secretary of State
and it shall be published in the official journal; Pro-
vded That person, who, prior to the first of Janu
airy, eighteen hundred and sixtyeight favored the ex
ecution of the laws of the United States, popularity
known as the Reconstruction Acts of Congress. and
openly and actively assisted the loyal the State
in their efforts to restore Louisiana her position in
the Union, shall be held to be included among those
herein excepted Registers of voters shall take the
oath of any such person prima facie evidence of
the fact that he is entitled to the benefits of this pro-
viso. =
art. 100. Members of the General Assembly, and
all other officers before they enter upon the duties of
their offices, shall take the following oath or arna-
ton: i "a. do solemnly swear Tor affirm) that
accept the civil and political equality of all men, and
agree not to attempt to deprive any person or
account of race, color previous condition of any
political or civil right, privilege immunity enioyed
by any other class of men, That will support the
Constitution and laws Of the United States, and the
constitution and laws of this State, and that will
faithfully and impartiay discharge and perform all the
duties incumbent upon - according to the
best of my ability and understanding. So help me
God.'n
We publish these articles in full without comment.
Sweeping Acknowledgement is made the corner stone Of
State constitution. It's extent will be limited only
by the exigencies Of the party power and by the
yindictgeness Of accidental rulers Your KNOWLEDGE
fnha &c 49,