The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1871-08-17

Our readers have had repeated exam |
pies of the recklessness with which the
editor of the Leader plunges head-oyer-
heels into statements which have not the
shadow of foundation to rest upon.
We have another case in point. In
his es.gerness to convict of ''treachery
the Democratic party of which he claimed
to be so true and loyal member in the
last election that he could not endure the
presence of negro or carpet-bagger on
his ticket-he states that the Conserva-
tives of North Carolina have submitted
amendments to the Constitution of that
State which Eve now quote from the
Leader,)
If passed will entirely change that instru-
ment and virtually do away ietth ece'y rlg I1
and pririleoe the cotored people enjoy under me
Constellation and Ldsos Of the United States, and
are guaranteed to them by the state CoRstaa-
fiofT n0to IN force.
Now the truth is, no amendments
whatever have been submitted (! The
question submitted to popular vote was
the naked proposition of Convention"
or "No Convention" As for doing
away with the rights and privileges of
g the colored people" as charged by the
Leader, the act calling the Convention
expressly precludes the idea of such a
thing, by declaring:
Sec. IL. The said Constitution
shall have no power or authority what
ever
To modify, repeal, or DO any other act tC
restrict, impair or in any way interfere
with the rights, privileges and immunitie
of any person On account Of race, color o
preuious condition, tohtch are nor gadrdnteedt
him by the 18th, 18th and 18th amendment
to the Constitution of the United States o
to propose ANY. AMENDMENT TO THE coNsTI
, TUITION OF THE STATE IN ANYwIsE IMPAIRIN'
OR RESTRICTING SAID RIGHTS, PRIVILEGE
OR IMMUNITIEs."
Mind you, in their determination t
) avoid the possibility of misconstfuction
the authors of the act assumed the al
thority to withhold from the CONVEX
ton the power even to submit a propos
z ton of the sort described, much less to pas
it! They were resolved to keep the
: skirts clear from the charge of that iii
r putation, but it seems that they hav
= signally failed. if all radical editors are {
f reckless of facts and as poorly informe
: as the editor of the Leader.
The real object of the Convention
explained in the preamble of the a
/ from which we have quoted above. 1t
n as follows:
Whereas, The present Constitution is,
r tmany respects, burdensome and oppressi'
i to the people of the State, and Is, IN man
@ of its provisions, ill-adapted TO their wan
and condition; and whereas the taxes r
quired by said Constitution to be leYi'
| upon the citizens of the State by this Gel
eral Assembly, are, in the Judgment of tn
Z General Assent bly,, too grievous To be born
and cannot be collected without effectiu
. the ruin of our people: aud whereas, q
: General Assembly, having reason to belle'
| that a majority of the voters OF tic state "A
= anxious to amend the said Constitution
| MANY particulars. consider it their duty
adopt measures for ascertainIng the will
r | their constituents, and to provide the meal
C for carrying that will into effect when a.
c certained.
twill thus be seen that the real cause
Radical opposition to the Convention WI
e not that it would do away with every rigl
+ and privilege of the colored sovereign
d but that it would close up the avenu
{ which the public robbers have opened
: the pockets of the taxpayers. Hem
e their lamentations