Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1868-12-24
The Bill of Rights.

The Bill of Rights.
We would respectfully suggest to the
consideration of the members of the social
ed Virginia Convention, that the Virginia
bill of rights as penned by George Mason
is not suited to the Constitution which thee
have framed. Should the Convention be
reconvened by Congress, in order to make
the bill of rights hsrmonize with the 9th
eE.parts of the Constitution and with the
spirit of the times, it would be well to
alter and amend it so as to read as fol-
lows:
A Declaration of rights made by the
representatives of the negroes. carpet bag
gers and scaIlawags of Virginia in Con, en-
ton assembled, which rights do pertain to
them as the basis and foundation of 10y
AL government
1. That all loyal negroes. carpet bag
gers, and scalla"ags are by nature equal
free, and independent, and are entitled to
exercise certain privileges of which they
ought not to be deprived OF Invested
namely; the enjoyment of the spells of ev-
cry office, together with the privilege of
plundering and robbing rebels of their
property, Of killing them, and burning
their houses and ravishipg their women
with IMMUNITY.
2. That oil power is vested in and con-
sequently derived from the loyal Congress
of the United States, and that the people
are it's servants and at all times a.nenable
TO it.
). That government is OF ought to be
instituted for the sole benefit Of carpet
bag and scalswag Office holders, and for
the common oppression of the rebel peo-
pie or community. Of al the various
modes and forms Of government that is
best which is moet tyrsnical and oppres-
slye. and under which rebels are most If
fectuslly enssved And that when any
government shall be found inadequate or
contrary to these purposes, majority of
the loyal Congress of the United States
hath an indubitabIe, inalienable, and indie
feasible right to reform, reconstruct. alter
or abolish it in such manner as shall be
judged most conducive to the interest Of
carpet bsggers and scallawags.
4. That negroes, carpet baggers, and
scaIlawags are entitled to exclusive and
separate emoluments, and privileges in
consideration Of loyalty, and that all off,
ces executive, Legislative and judicial, ap-
pointments and public trusts, should be
bestowed upon them.
5. That the legislative powers should
override the executive and judicial, and
that by gerrymandering election districts;
y Iest-oath qualifications for voting and
holding Office; by wholesale disfranchise
anents. by fraudulent registration; by ma
nipulation Of the ballot box, by making
false returns of elections; by intimidation
or bribery Of ignorant voters, and by ev-
cry species of fraud and corruption, it is
right that loyal faction sustained and up-
held by bayonets should perpetuate its hold
on place and power against the known
wishes Of the entire property holding pop
ulation of arebel State.
g. That'all elections ought to be con-
trolled by the loyal vote, and that all reb
els, Notwithstanding they constitute the
mass Of those who have sufficient evidence
OF permanent common interest," with and
attachment to the community, should be
excluded from the privilege of suffrage;
and ought to be taxed and deprived Of
their property for public uses without
their consent.
I. That the power to suspend laws and
the execution of laws should be vested in
loyal military satrap.
3. That in capital and criminal prose-
cutlons rebel should be removed to such
distance from his vicinage as to preclude
the possibility Of obtaining evidence in his
behalf; that the trial by jury is relic of
Sarbarlsm, and should he superseded bv
trial by military commission organized to
convict; thst confession extorted under
torture should be regarded as conclusive
evidence of guilt; and that the lives and
Liberties of rebels should be at the disposal
Ct loyal military satraps.
8. That excessive bail ought to be re-
quired, excessive fines imposed, and cruel
and Unusual punishments inflicted when
rebels offend loyal men.
10. That military orders; whereby
squads Of soldiers may be commanded to
ssarshs suspee,sd places without evidence