New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-01-12
MISSOURI.

Gov. Fletcher in his recent Message to the
Legislature OF Missouri proposes rather sweeping
changes in the Constitution Of that state on the subject
Of test oaths and suffrage. The Governor says:
recommend that you submit Tor adoption by the peo
Pile an amendment 10 the state Constitution providing
that every person disqualified voter by the terms
second article. except "bu~hwhaekers" guerrilln-;
persons who after having voted held office claimed
and persons who at time for any purpose have
falsely taken the oath Of loyalty, shall upon application
upon proof by two creditabc Witnesses that nc has de
ported himself as citizen since the ith dny on Juy loS
and by his conduct manifested attachment TO the prn
ciples Of the Constitution aud the Government OF tho
United States and disposition TO tse good order an
eniitlc HIM TO be registered rs a loyal voter
The message also proposes TO strike from the Consi
tuition the oath of loyalty required Of voters prescribed
by the 9th Section Of the I'd Article Also the provision
in the sth Section which requires the taking Of he oath
loyalty" within Is days next preceding the election
ny all candidates for whom vote may be counted ON
tie subject the Governor says
Though the proposition 20 strike from Constitution
that provision which IN hostility To the fundamental len
OF republican government, CCneIs TIE governing
power upon class of persons fell before unrcasonng
prejudice than 5000 men voted for H. aud. gave
earnest OF It's ultimate success by The election oi men 10
all the state Offices and majority OF tho members of
Congress who advocated ia adoption. Prejudice Itself
Is not 80 blind rs 20 fan 10 see In the steady and apd
growth OF Radical Democratic principles early future
radiant with the perfect equality OF the political piy
leges OF men II Is INC phtt OF INC statesman ahd pat
continue To present the true principles ~ fco
and justice Of the people to eventually recognize and
adopt them. The true principle OF republican gov
breadth ana beraty by the nrst section Of tic four
teenth article OF the Constitution OF the United states
permanent Acknowledgement Of any intelligent being -
be necessary 10 the safety Of the Government The Ib
eralminded man. recognizing these truths. will soon
safety assured seek AZ To better the condition.
and promote the welfare and happiness OF all tho
that have been excluded from political privileges. The
gcaDce; the loyal colored citizen for neither safety
vengeance. but from prejudice which must fall before
the Of an intelligent, just and liberal people II
Is cnfranchJe tho Rebel who. returning Ills allie
conducted himself a. good citizen despite al the efforts OF
unprincpled partisan leaders 10 induce NM To swear
falsely and otherwise disregard and defy the laws. His
silent appeal Tor the ballot ny GOOD conduct IL made not
only mngnanimy and generosity, hut also 10
Judgment OF goodpohcy ia STR ngtAehnE e leI
ment Dy interesting class or iesoue .h w us hctNe
support The amendment to be proposed should. IN my
opinion dispense with the oath Of loyalty not only for
the purpose ~ voting, but Tor all ether purposes for
which II IL required by the Constitution The power
81 te second arele eprles with It tho syIense tbat
the trainers OF the Constitution regarded the dsiran
an oath in the NTH section mere tempo
raIy provisions necessary To tho ,afety Of The
but unnecessary and not TO be preserved IN the
Fundamental law, when peace AMI order should
prevail IL cannot he denied that the greatest dangers
which have threatened the webeng Of The state during
tho past three iyears hnyo come from men 10 whom the
who only be reached by purgng their nscicces by
OF oath--a which has proved nciiec tua
lily OF the men who wero engaged in actual Rebellion
ard open fight have, since their surrender, dcmeanod
themselves as awabding citizens; aud, while they have
refused to commit moral PERJURY when fears Of legal
punishllent weIo before lhom, other classes % te
disfranelised have not hestatcd to swear falsely,
TO encourage others 10 do and 10 resist and counsel
resistance 10 the Constitution. laws. and officers Of
the State. thereby showing the insecurity 10 the good
der Of society from their participation Ia the ruo Of the
state through tho ballot Let obedience To the law have
It's reward Let us welcome 10 participation In political
privileges all who have by their actions shown the dspo
sitiOn 10 unite with in maintaining government of
civil law and desire 10 share duhrs citizens
well as our privileges. Let acknowledgements come by
amendment 10 the Constitution, that the Legislature
may not exercise the power given by the twenty
ton 20 repeal any part OF the third fifth aud sixth sec
lions OF tho second article, In the absence OF any
mower 10 repeal tho word white" In the eighteenth
section Of the article. Let guard the safety
the State by excluding from s rule those who have
iebecd against the laws OF God ana their country By
supcradding perjury 10 treasOn aud who stand in an ntt
tude OF defiance to the civil rule OF the men who won IN
fair fight the hight To govern Ia the calm enjoyment oi
the final triumph Of the Union and cxultng III the firm
establishment OF loyal rule in Missouri; with pride III
having aided TO win tile one on tho battlefield ana IN
having borne "a part IN securing and maintaining tho
other have made these suggestions IN full confidence
that they consistent with the safety of the state aud
In the earnest hope that you will submit 10 the people
amendment to the Constitution embracing then objects.