The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1868-06-03
S Pc ECH
The Bogus Constitution Dissected
and Exposed.

Gen. Freeman before the Democratic As
ISOLATION and citizens generally, delivered in
the Representatives Hail. on Saturday even
ing last, and we have now the pleasure of
laying before our readers a correct report of
it:
GENTLEMEN At former meeting of the
association, 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 of mississippi,
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, aud the
Democratic party had its origin in the de-
fac 6fted States, and maintains that posi-
tion to-day. Hence il is that while many
other parties have arisen and fallen, the
Democratic party has always maintained its
organization, and will continue to do so un-
til the constitutional forms of government
shall have suceumbed to despotic power
The recent attempt of the Radical party
ia C9ngtess to impeaeh and emove the
President, was an effort, by a two-th.:;!s
majority, to overthrow the Executive De-
partment of the Government and install
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 Presi-
dent was his vetOes of the several recon
struction acts of Congress. BY the Constr
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-
tion it has proposed for the ratification OF
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 August. 1860, aud
adopted a 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 and sent on TO
represent us in the Federal Government. Our
Representatives 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 l4th article, as an amendment of the
Constitution of the United States, intended
to confer the elective franchise on the freed
men. This was rejected by our Legislature.
Then came the Reconstruction acts-the
object of which was to compel the people
OF Mississippi, with other States, to enfran-
chise the negro. These acts provided that
the negroes should vote in common with the
white electors, not Msfranchised. for the
delegates to the convention to be assembled
under said acts-and that when said con
vention should adopt a constitution extend
ing the elective franchise to all male adults.
OF whatever race, color or previous con
dition, twenty zone years of age and upwards,
etc. said States should be admitted to rem
resentatiOn in Congress. The convention
was accordingly elected-it assembled al
the capital and could have performed all
the duty assigned IL by striking a single
word from our present constitution.
The electoral clause in the present consti- !
tuition provides, that Every free aehiie male |
person Of the age Of twenty-on years and |
uPwaius. VIM saiun &c "a vls,1eu % ti,e
United States ard shall have resided in this |
State one year next preceding an election. /
aud the last four months within the county
city or town, in which lac offers to vote. shat 4
be deemed qualified eiector"
~ striking cut the word "whas." IA a.
first line of the clause. IL wenia .aois.sr
free male persons OF the age Of twenty 49,.
years and upwards, of whatever race, 60 7,
and previous condition, and this wouIs :.
been a fall adoption Of Ihe act q =
aud q compliance with its 60
- a. hgH - txats n
= - eans1ifatsaa 80 e~ssArcs THAT
sF tae- s,rm a social com. |
- assa' I. s.ga.s" As the negroes
49, Fee ~ special ordinance. An
- - A. ssa.f.sf4fust.... l.. -. - 1