American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-02-13
THE CASE OF MISSISSIPPI.
Senator Beck's Bill.

their own reconstruction policy, they |
will support this proposition. 1t is
based upon the assumption that the
party in power mean to Go what they
have pledged.
The preamble declares that the
registered voters rejected the consti-
tuition which was submitted, and
states the causes vi their decision.
1t adopts the motion Of Mr.. Bingham
to strike out the proscriptive features
of the Instrument, and as logical
consequence of it's defeat for proper
cause in the first instance, (lccording
to the rule which the Republicans
themselves have laid down) it pro
vidcS that IL new election shall he
held on the constitution as amended
and for the Offices which are proposed
To he created under ii. n..
Nothing can be more reasonable
than this proposition. The Republic
can members cannot reject it on the
lrtox" that fair election cannot be
had, without GiSputing the integrity
of President Grant, who will admin
ister the laws and contr;tdicting the
sworn declaration of the interested
carpet-bag witnesses themselves. BY
referring TO page sixteen ofthe print
ed testimony, it will be seen that
Gibbs, Chairman of the Committee
of Five. swears that if " an election
s'could be had at which all could
ssvote freely and without restraint,
81 there would be no difficulty in rati-
'sfving the constitution p and that IA
fair election could be had if the
rebel officers were removed from
.1office." This is provided for ac-
eording to ''loyalr logic, in the re-
cent Joint resolution requiring all
Officers under the existing military
/ government, to take the irOn-clad
oath or vacatc. BY reference to
page 30, it will he seen that Van
Hook, another carpet-bag witness,
testifies tina if the voters were
protected in their right to vote, they
would adopt the said constitution
"by % or 80 thousand majority"
BY reference to page 50, it will be
seen that another carpet-bagger, ii.
II. Fisher, who subscribes himself
Chairman of the Republican EXecu-
tive State Committee, says under
/ oath, that could fair election be
held, "the Republicans would ratity
lit by thirty thousand majority"
Why, then, if reconstruction is
really aimed at, not take up the bill
of Mr.. Beck at once and pass it If
there is resolution in President Grant
to execute the laws, and if there is
truth in the carpetbag witnesses,
why hesitate to order another cleo
ton (! What motive can Congress
now have TO exact what every man
knows to I've falSehoOd-that the
constitution was not defeated, and
to violate it's faith with the regis
tered voters who according to the
testimony of such Republicans as
Field. Patterson and Tindall, will
resent the act as Il great injustice
and repay it with compound interest
at succeeding elections? Is Con
gress going to sell its honor, and VIC
late its faith with the voters organ
lied under it's own laws, and are the
Republican leaders going to barter
the prospects of their party for al
time III this State. for mess of pot
tage for the Eggleston coImorants
Let us add, that Mr.. Beck has en-
titled himself to the thanks of all ou
people who really desire a settlenien
/ of the existing troubles. His bill j
f a recognition by a leading membe
of the Democracy of the reality 0
reconstruction under the Congress
E SiOnal plan of 1867, however disa
5 greeable; or of something worse; an'
= provides a method by which the pee
!. pie of the State who are sought t
be made victims of carpet-bag ven
geance and greed, may protect them
: selves. This is right. Since tn
= National Democracy have no pOwe
D to save them from the consequence
of usu p ton, they should do wha
;. they AIRY able to give them an oppol
i tumity TO work out their own deliver
; ance.-Cldrion.