The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-07-01


That the constitution Of Arkansas shall
never be so amended or changed as to de-
prive any citizen or class OF citizens of the
entitled to vote by the constitution herein
except for punishment for
crimes that are now felonies at common
law whereof they shall have been convicted.
equally applicable to all the inhabitants oil
said State; Provided, any alteration OF said
prospective in its effect. may
be made in regard to time and place Of res
idence of voters.
/ have been unable TO find in the consti-
tuition of the United States any warrant for
the exercise Of the authority thus claimed
by Congress- in assuming power to impose
fundamental conditions on State which |
has been duly admitted into the Union on
an equal footing with the original State in |
all respect whatever. Congress asserts a
right TO enter State, as it may be Terri
tory, and to renoyate the highest preroga-
tive of free people-the elective fran
chise. As this question is reserved by the
constitution to the States themselves, and
to concede to Congress the power to regu-
late this subject, would be the reverse of
the fundamental principle OF the republic,
and place in the hands of the Federal
Government, which is u creation of the
States, the sovereignty whic,; Justly belongs
to the States or the people the true source
of oil political power. by whom our FEEDER
al system was created, aud to whose will it
is subordinate. The bill fails to provide
in what N naer the State of Arkansas is
to signify its acceptance of the fundamen-
tai condition which Congress endeavors to
make uDalterable, irrevocable. Nor does
it prescribe penalty to be imposed should
The people of the State amend or change
rhe particular portion Of the constitution
which it was one OF the purposes Of the bill
10 perpetuate, but as to the consequence Of
such action, az leaves them in uncertainty,
and doubt when the circumstances under
which this constitution has been brought
to the attention of Congress, are consider
ed it is not unreasonable to suppose that
efforts will be made to modify its provis-
ions, especially those in respect to which
|. this measure prohibits any alteration. It
is sincerely questionable whether the con.
stitution has been ratified by q majority OF
the persons, who, under the act of March
2, 1865, and the acts supplementary there
to, were entitled to registration and TO vote
: upon that issue. Section x Of the eche-
dule provides that no persons disqualified
from voting or registering under this con-
stitutioD shall vote for candidates for any
Office, nor be permitted to vote for the rati.
J fication or rejection Of the constitution al
+ the polls, is herein authorized and assumed
, to be in force, therefore its adoption is in
disregard Of the law Of Congress. The con
stitution also undertakes to impose upor
the electors other and further condi
tions.
The 9th section Of the eighth articl,
provides that all persons, before registering
or voting, must take and subscribe to thu
oath which. among Others, contains the fol
, lowing clause "rhat accept the civi
and political! equality ofall men, and agree
not to attempt to deprive any person o
> persons, on account Of race or color, o
} previous condition Of any political or civi
right, privileges or immunities enjoyed b.
' any other class of men.
II It is very well known that q very larg
portion Of the electors in oil the States, i
not in all, do not believe in, or accept tn
political equality Of Indians, Moneolians 0
negroes with the race to which they belon
II the voters in many OF the States OF tn
Northwest we're required to take, such al
oath. as test of their qualifications, ther
!. is reason to believe that majority Of then
would remain away from the polls rathe
than comply with such degrading condition
; then to what extent this test oath prevent
l. ed the registration ofthose who were quail
fed under the laws Of Congress, it is i'm
possible to know, but such was its effec1
: as at least being sufficient TO overthrow tn
!, small and doubtful majority in favor of th
y constitution there can be no reasonabl
e doubt. should the people Of Arkansas
= therefore, desiring to regulate the electiy
- franchise 80 as to make it conform-to the
70 institutions, and also to those of lare
portion of the North and West, and mod
~ the provisions referred to in the fand'
r, mental condition. What is the cons
ID quence? It is intended that q denial
rs representation shall follow? And il {
ot may we not at some future day mourn Il
recurrence of the troubles which have {
long agitated the country !? And would
H not be the part Of wisdom to take for o.
guide the Federal constitution, rather tbs