New Orleans Republican., 1868-10-02
C. H. MERRITT.
Secretary Of the Senate.

Conclusion of Senate debate Wednesday,
September y, on the subject of the amend.
ment to the Constitution:
Mr. Pnchback: Before the vote is taken,
Mr.. President, | desire to say two or three
words. | desire to be well understood IN
the position have taken. | hold, sir. that
the people are the source OF all political
power, and that no law il which the rights
Of people are in any way compromised or
averted should exist.
The Constitution says that anv amendment
or amendments to this Constitution may be
proposed in the Senate or House of Repre-
sentatives, and if the same shall be agreed
to by two-thirds vote Ot each hru e. such
proposed amendment shall be submitted to
the people at the IeXt general election for
Representatives to the General Assembly,
etc.
So that if this amendment is adopted by
two-thirds Of the Senate and House OF Re
presentatiyes, it Is two years from the fret
Monday in November before it can be
adopted by the people. Tne impression
seems to be on the part of Republicans of
the Senate that If a two.thirds vote
of the Senate and House adopt
this article, It at once becomes a lava
part of the Constitution. But such is not
the case. 1t is then submitted to the people
who pass upon it two years from the tirst
Monday of November next. II in the inter-
val of these two years circumstances should
arise which would teach the people that it
would be unWise to change the Constitution
in this regard, it would be an easy matter
for those who are in favor of retaining it to
take the stump and advocate the rejection Of
1t by the people. Some opponents OF the
measure say; "Whv make it now.
why not wait until a subsequent session OF
the Legislature | answer that by SAYING
stasa IFaN la. ~.
II. suppose we were to put it of until the
session of January, 1870. The people then
would have only two or three months to
reflect upon it. 1 hold that No possible harm
will be done by adopting this amendment
and letting 1t stand to be adopted or not by
the people as they may see fit.
If the adoption of the article BIZ the re.
quisite number OF votes by the Senate and
House changed the organic law OF the State.
it would be well then to oppose it, but as it
is do not see how any reasonable aud lust
man can oppose il. | shall therefore vote
for the propotition.
Mr.. Pollard: Ny reason for wanting to
say something about tits is in order to get
myself right. As | voted on that an ticle
once before and was at the framing OF 1T, |
ought to understand something about If.
am opposed to its being stricken out at the
present time. The gentleman claims that il
can not do any harm to US ust now and will
do no good to any one. Then what is the
use of changing 1t now! They say it dis.
franchises certain classes of men. 1 DO not
consider thst have anything to do with
that If understand it the classes of men
that are disfranchised under that proylso
must have disiranchised themselves bv their
acts. This constitution was made accord
ing to the reconstruction laws. I have not
got anything against my Democratic friends,
not as much as l have against myself but
some OF them went so far as to say that they
think more of the African race than thew do
of their own race. Well, do not know
whether they do or not, but they ought to. |
tLaughter.l Because they know the good /
OF the African. Laughter.) 1t is too early /
to amend the Constitution when you can 90 |
a little way out of this city and fnd state
of things which looks as though it ought to
be stronger than it is.
Having been disfranehised all my life, !
over sixty years, don't see why l should /
be in such such hurry to enfranchise |
men who have only been disfranehised a |
few years, and that for lighting against the |
Government. They have not been out long |