Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-12-22
The State Constitution.

Whenever the Constitution adopted by the
Scalawag Convention shall be submitted to the
voters Of this State for ratification or rejection,
it should be opposed with the same united and
determined purpose which was exhibited some
time since when it was thought it would be
submitted to the voters of the State. 1t would
be as fatal to our interests and as violative OF
our rights now as then In the language of
the Lynchbuyg Neacs, we should not lose sight
of the important fact that the Radical party
cannot, according to the terms Of their own
act, inhict this Constitution upon us, but by
our own consent. 1t must be submitted to a
vote of the people, and if rejected by them,
is consigned to the tomb of the Capulets, }"
and some other device will have to be contrived
ere Virginia can be made to pass under Radi-
cal, or rather under Legro rule.
We are aware that some of our journals are
advising that we shall incorporate the principle
of negro suffrage upon the Alexandria Consti-
tuition, and signify our willingness to accept
that as the basis of our reconstruction. But
quo naodo ? how can such device be carried
out? No man, nor any body Of men, have
authority under any existing law, ORDER or Or
dinance, to enter into such an arrangement
The acts Of Congress have prescribed certain
formula, according TO which the excluded
States must be re-admitted. The calling of a
convention by the vote of the people, black as
well as white, the framing by this body Of a
constitution for the State, the reference of this
constitution to the people Of the State for rat
ifcation PROJECTION are the various steps
which must be taken, according to the existing
laws, ere the State can be admitted into the
fold Of the Union. Should the people refuse
to ratify the proposed constitution, it is re-
jected, and the whole work of constitution ma
king must be begun de novo. But some dispo-
sition must be made OF the constitution pro-
posed, ere another can be substituted for it
1t cannot be quietly ignored, nor can it's defeat
be assumed, so as to clear the way for another.
Now, if these facts be admitted, we must
also admit, the probability that Congress will
at It's next session make provision for vote Of
the people on the constitution proposed last
winter. Of this vote thirty days notice at least
mast be gtven, SO that the people cannot be
called to pass upon the question before some
time in January next. But we hold it to be the
bounden duty of every white man in Virginia
we care not to what political party he belongs
to vote against that constitution, whenever he
is permitted to do so. Its adoption will involve
Unionist and Secessionist, Republican and
Democrat, in one COMMON ruin. Shall we cease
our hostility to this measure because, forsooth
Grant has been elected President. Will his
elevation to the White House mitigate the hor
rors Of negro supremacy Of mixed schools Of
negro juries and Of negro officers? If self in
terest, and selfpreseryation last summer de-
manded the rejection of the instrument surely
they appeal to US just IS forciby now-and i
we succeeded last summer in uniting ali good
citizens in hostility it, certainly similar results
can be obtained by like efforts this winter.
For ourselves, we do not despair Of the
State-we believe that the people can defeat
the odous Underwood constitution, and we be-
lieve they ,0iW defeat 1t. whenever it may be
submitted to them, and that too without any
reference to who may be the incumbent of the
Presidential chair This being done, it viii
then be time enough to debate whether it il
best to adopt the Alexandria Constitution with
negro suffrage, or to await in self poised anG
calm determination, the development of the
subsequent acts in the Drama Of Radical recon
struction.