The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1868-06-02

GEN. FREEMAN.
The Bogus Constitution Dissecfed
and Exposed.

We have alluded to the able speech OF
Gen. Freeman before the Democratic As
ISOLATION and citizens generally, delivered i'll
the Representatives Hall, on Saturday even
ing last, and we have now the pleasure OF
laying before our readers correct report OF
it,:
GENTLEMEN At former meeting of the
association, a resolution was passed request
ing Judge Johnston and myself to address
you on the topics of the election, soon to be
held to ratify or reject the Constitution pro-
posed by the late Radical Convention.
By the Constitution of the Democratic
party, adopted throughout the State, we are
required to support the Constitution of the
United States and of the State ofMississppi
and all laws passed in pursuance thereof.
1t has ever been the province of the Dem
ocratic party to defend the constitutional
rights, and especially the reserved rights OF
the people. The Bill of Rights of the State
Constitutions reserve certain inalienable
privileges which are excepted out of the
general powers of government. These are
emphatically the peoples rights, and the
Democratic party had its origin in the de-
fence of these rights in the early history OF
the United States, and maintains that posi-
ton to-day. Hence it is that while many
other parties have arisen and fallen, the
Democratic party has always maintained its
organization, and will continue to do so I'M
til the constitutional forms of government
shall have succumb to despotic power.
The recent attempt of the Radical party
in Congress to impeach and remove the
President, was an effort, by a two-thirds
majority, to overthrow the Executive De
partment of the Government and install a
despOtism of numbers over the the constitu-
tiOnal form of government. Although Pres
ident Johnson was elected to Office by the
Radicals, in opposition to the Democratic
candidate, the Democratic party sustained
him in opposition to the Radical party, and
the result is that the Constitution is main
tanned and anarchy prevented.
The principal charge against the Pres-
dent was his vetoes of the several recon
structiOn acts of Congress By the Consti-
tuition of our party, we hold these acts to be
unconstitutional also, and this brings us to
the discussion of the acts of the late Radical
Convention in this STATE, and the ConstItu-
ton it has proposed for the ratification or
rejection of the people.
We held, in common with the Democratic
party everywhere, that the State of Missis-
sippi alone has the power to form, alter or
amend her constitution.
Immediately after the surrender of the
Confederate armies, the Legislature was
convened by Gov. Clark, for the purpose of
calling convention of the people to amend
the constitution so as to conform to the
Constitution of the United States in all
particulars. This Legislature was not per
mitted to act upon the subject. Gov. Clark
was arrested and imprisoned. Gov. Sharkey
was appointed in his place. The latter, at
the instance of the President, called State
convention to adopt constitution. This
convention assembled in Augu t, 1865, and
adopted constitution Republican in form
abOlishing slavery, protecting the rights of
freedmen in all respects, but not comforting
on them the elective franchise
Under this constitution the Legislature
convened. The State was regularly organ
lied in all its departments. All State officers
were duly elected, and Congressman and
Senators were also elected aud sent on to
us in the Federal Government Our
were rejected on the ground
that the freedmen were not allowed to vote
Congress then passed and submitted to
the States for ratification, what was called
the 18th article, as an amendment of the
Constitution Of the United States, intended
to confer the elective franchise on the Fl eed
men. This was rejected by our Legislature.
object of which was to compel the people
of Mississippi, with other States, to enfran-
chlse the negro. These acts provided that
the negroes should vote in common with the
white electors, not DISTINGUISHED, for the
delegates to the convention to be assembled
under said acts-and that when said con-
vention should adopt constitution extend
ing the elective franchise to all male adults
Of whatever race, color or previous con-
lition, twenty-one years of age and upwards,
ETC., said States should be admitted to rep
'esentation in Congress. The convention
was accordingly elected-it assembled at
5he capital and could have performed all
tho duty assigned it by striking a single
word from our present constitution.
The electoral clause liz the present const-
tuition provides, that Every free ehite male
person of the age of twenty-one years and
upwards. who shall be q citizen of the
United States ard shall have resided in this
State one year next preceding an election,
and the last four months within the county, |
city or town, in which he offers to vote shall |
be deemed qualified elector"
By striking cut the word ''achite," in the
irst line of this clause, it would include all |
free male persons of the age of twenty-one
years and upwards, of whatever race, color |
md previous condition, and this would have |
been full adoption of the act of Congress
md a compliance with its terms.
The first section of the bill of rights Of |
he present constitution also declares 'That
vi treemen when they form social COM |
,act, are equal in rights" As the negroes
L. f,o I IL