American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1869-05-15
What Shall We Do to Be Saved 2

ave cannot say how soon, but we
doubt not, that before the ides of
Septemb Der, the President of the Uni
ted States will cause the late defeat
ed Constitution to be reSubmitted to
the people of the State for ratifica-
lion or rejection. He is required by
the Act of Congress, to canse the OBJ
jectiOhable features of this instru-
meut to be submitted separately.
These features are to be selected by
the President, and until we see them
we cannot say that we will advocate
its ratification. What may be OBJ
jectionable to Gen aral Grant,I may
not be to us, and uice UerSd.
Would it not he well for the Con-
sentative Republicans and Demo
Gratis to hold convention at Jack
SOL, and select the Objectionable
clauses of the Constitution, and sub
mil them to the President for his
consideration We submit this sug-
gestion to onr brethren of the Press,
and would like to get their views il
this should be determined upon, each
county should send its ablest and
best men, those who understand the
nature and character of the our syS-
TEN of government, and who could
suggest to the President, all that is
Objectionable in the late defeated
Constitution. Brethren of the Press,
let us hear from you upon this point.
We copy the above from a late is
sue of the Columbus Sentinel. The
views Of Col. Middleton meet our
hearty concurrence, but we doubt the
necessity of a State Contention, at
present. 1t could not be assembled
for some weeks: And then the work
could be as well done as was the
work of the Conservatives before
Congress and President Grant last
winter, without the delay and trouble
of calling together all the opponent
of the Eggleston scheme of outrage
and prescription: Then IA few lead
ing Conservatives and moderate Re
publicans went to Washington, with
out appointment from a Convention,
but at the suggestion and with the
hearty endorsement of the Conserva-
tives from nearly every section.
In our issue of April 10th; in view
of early action on tile part of the
President, we used the following
language:
"A Committee should be sent to
Washington, to confer with the Pres
ident, and get him to SO submit the
Constitution as to prevent the an
tagonism (between the races, in the
coming election.
Let our people take steps in this
matter at once. Let the question
be: shall Mississippians, who have
an interest in the State, make its
laws, or shall they be made by char
acterlesS Adventures, who have no
interest in common with us, who have
no property to tax, and whose only
object has been, aud Is, 20 obtain pc
sition by atraying the races in bitter
hostility
Cannot Il Committee be sent to
Washington, composed of gentlemen
familiar with the rejected Constitu
| ton, Tor one gentleman would be suf-
ficient,) to point out the features OBJ
jectionable to all respectable citizens
of both cOlOrs, and thus have the in.
strument submitted as the trainers OF
the Congressional bill intended it
shotild bel If this be done, carpet
baggism will be so e1fectually throt
tied in Mississippi that our people
will experience 10 further trouble
from a source which has been pro
ductive of so much woe to every
Southern State.
We make the suggestion. and cal
to it the serious consideration of on
contemporaries of the Press of thu
State"
Since tho article from the Sentine
was written, it has been ANNOUNCED
from Washington that the election
will not take place until September
President Grants order will not
probably, be published before some
time in July. We trust the Consel
natives. -the honest friends and ad
vocates of genuine healthful recon
struction,-wIll take some steps t
f carry ont the suggestion of the Sen
; tineL fla State Convention be deem
ed best, we are in favor of it.
) not, we are in favor Of any pla
/, which will accomplish the object ha
f in view. We attach great impOr
| ance to the manner in which til
President submits the Constitution
Not being as familiar with the instrl
ment as citizens of the State, he ina
retain clauses for which tie frient
of reconstruction, and honest weI
wishers of our prosperity, can nj
possibly vote,-Holiy Springs Repo
: ter.