The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1869-09-22
rhe Constitution Of Arkansas as-How Adopted

Some short time since number OF startling fefela-
tons made their appearance in the Little Rock Liberal
written BY reformed Radical, who, having been be-
hind the scenes presumed know of what he speaks
The following is of them, which clipped at the
time but mslaid. We regard it too good to withhold
from readers and besides it is worthy OF preser-
vation as part of the history Of the times:
The first outrage perpetrated by the Radical party
of Arkansas, 10 certifying the reconstruction con
stitution ratified when the returns showed clear ma
orty of several thousand against H. That the whole
business was managed by the Central Executive Com
mitee of which B. +. Rice was chairman. | was a
constant and punctual attendant the meetings OF
the Committee; and there learned more and
rascalty than learned before in all my life But for
my experience in that den of wickedness, | honestly
believe l should have long since become disgusted
with the Radical party and abandoned it. But as The
poet has well and trushfully said:
:" Vice is monster of SO frigthful mien,
As to be hated needs but to be seen,
But seen too Oft familiar with her face,
We first endure, then pity, then embrace.
My conscience very strongly upbraided me at first
for consortng with such rascals and acquiescing in
their rascalty for was raised in good old Presby
teran family, way down east, and had been taught
better things by pious mother But after had once
the broken ice began to relish it-such is the iRrmy
of human power.
Well, now let me tell you about the constitution
The Executive Committee kept list of all the returns
fast they came n-notng down exactly the vote of
each separate county After they got all in it was
discovered that the vote against the constitution footed
up majority of over seven thousand as well as re
collect. We tried to overcome that majority by keep
ing the polls open in Pulaski and Jefferson counties
to allow negroes from the neig ghboring counties
we'll those in the county to come in and vote
second time. But with all this rascaty still lacked
two three thousand votes to show majority for the
constitution We all began to despair But the fer
tile brain of Rice discovered way to get out OF
the dilemma. Rice is a monstrous big rasca-he's
got conscience than oyster and is as cold
booded fish. He suggested that the returns from
the different counties be revised with view OF dis
covering some errors that would yitiate them. The
| hint Immediately taken; and forthwith the work
of revision began. 1t matter OF no difficulty tc
| discover many Every grave" errors in the returns
Such for instance as mistake in addition, ms-speeo
words-and in instance, I recoect certify was
spelled 'surtify" These gravely adjudged
to be sufficient to rtiate the returns and by that cute
arrangement for which indebted to the shrewd
ness and sagacity OF Mr. Rice showed balance OF
some thousands the loyal side, and so the consttu
ton was certified be ratified and confirmed by the
people, &c.
Now we felt little uneasy in our minds about the
thing sticking-we somewhat feared congressional
inves cation although many of our friends IN Con
gress had intimated to us that we must return the
constitution adopted. But still we dreaded an inves
tigaton, fearing that villanous Democrat might
be placed on investigating committee and expose
our fraud. But when Terry got to hunting around af
ter his "adavits" to prove that fraudulent votes had
been cast for the constitution, knew then we were
all right. Terry very God send to us. He got
Andy johnson and his friends in Congress off on the
wrong SCENT and the result merely reference tc
an army officer, which just nuts for US. Col Tour
telot came and examined into the NATTER and he
couldn't that many if any fraudulent votes had
been cast-certainly not enough to overcome our ma
iorv for the constitution-of course he couldn't
Rice managed that thing splendidy. tell you he is
snart-ald as for cold-booded, systematic rascaty,
Clayton amt circumstance to him.
And this is the way the constitution not ratified
by the people, but recognised and adopted by the
Executive Committee and Congress as the organic law
of the people of Arkansas.
may not be exactly accurate in my figures but the
facts as have stated them substantially true and
if any cussed unrelormed Radical dares to deny them
I will prove them by living Witnesses