National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1875-10-12
ALABAMA.
Some Interesting Notes Concerning the Con-

oVinc interesting MUGS SonCetn4uk INC SoA
stitutional Convention.
Correspondence CT the National Republican,
EUrAw, ALA, Oct. =, 1875.
at last the constitutional convention Of this
State has adjourned. The committee has issued
its address 10 the people in favor of ratification
Of the constitution, and the delegates have gone
home 10 tell the people what they have done, and
urge them to vote for its ratification.
have read 1t carefully, and have read the sd-
dress Of the convention to the people, and must
say that except where 1t restricts the privileges
OF citizens as to the right to vote and to hold Of
nee, and where It cuts down the appropriations
for school purposes and other subjects, the
expense Of nearly 500 has resulted in nothing
They have reduced the number Of Circuit Court
judges to eight instead of twelve, and chancelIors
from nine to three. They have reduced the sal
aries of State and judicial officers one-fourth; bat
this does not affect the present officers the most
of whose terms do not expire till 1880 They
abolished the offices of lieutenant governor COM
missioner Of Industrial resources and the board of
education, and that is the only economy they
have shown, and doubt such economy.
Last winter the Republicans in the Legislature
were anxious to save the State the expense OF q
convention, and when they saw the Democracy
determined to have convention. offered to vote
for amendments, to be submitted to the voters
next year, and save the S20o, COO, which will be
spent before 1t is ratified or rejected. But the
Democrats were determined to have q conven-
ton, as is now plainly to be seen, for the purpose
OF giving expression TO the right Of secession and
other matters.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN is right when 1t
says they have not given up the right, but have
only admitted the acknowledged fact that
STATE CANNOT sEcEDE.
These people will tell you they had a right to
secede and fought for it. and do not regret It. and
would do 50 again They say they were ''over-
powered, but not conquered"
They say in section 81 Of the bill Of rights "that
the sole object and only legitimate end of govern
ment is to protect the citizen In the enjoyment of
life, liberty and property; and when the Govern.
ment assumes other functions 1t is usurpation and
oppression"
Now, what does this mean, and why was It put
In this constitution, when IL was not In the const
tuition Of 1867 unless It is direct thrust st the
National Government because IL put down rebel
lion? They do not say the Government should
secure civil and political rights to all, without
regard to race, color previous condition. It is
the same old State Rights doctrine sugarcoated
SO as to disguise its true meaning.
They have the same feeling toward the Govern
ment, and am astonished that so many Of the
leading Republican papers of the North have
was so hastily tslegraphed ali over the country
by the Associated Press. That section only ad-
mits that they were overpOwered, but does not
wanting to convince the North OF the feeling on
state rights IL is this section 81 1t is the sequel
to that of secession.
Another evidence that they consider this State
independent Of Government power Is that they
have changed the day of election from November,
when Congressmen and the President are elected,
TO the first Monday in August, as was argued by
the more frank members, so as not to have any
interference by Government inspectors Of cleo
tiOns. 1t is we'll known that the Republican
cket for 1877 would have been counted out but
Tor the Government inspectors being present. It
proves cOnclusively that they do not want . fair
count, nor fair vote Although they say 'Gov-
eminent
SHOULD PROTECT THE CITIZENS
In life, liberty and property" yet they change
the election day SO that they will have nothing TO
prevent them from creating riots, shedding blood,
and doing any kind Of deyilment they choo,e in
order to carry the State for the Democracy. I
am told by prominent Republicans that In half
the counties where Republicans have large ma
timidatIon and fraud practieed by Democrats. In
many Of these counties there are scarcely any
white men who belong to the party and in these
counties where Democrats manufacture as much
majority as is needed to carry the State for the
Democracy, and yet this address would have you
believe that Alabama ia all peace and quiet.
But go ask the white Republicans who nave
been run away from these counties; go ask the
colored men who dare not go out upon the r0ats
after night to political meeting without being
met by bands Of disguised men and often shot at;
90 ask the colored man who has been called out
Of his bed at night and whipped because he Is
Republican and possibly leader in his neighbor-
hood; go ask the hundreds who have been com
PEELED 10 lie in swamps and almost starve; go ask
the wives and children of the men who have Deea
liberty and property are protected in Alabama,
and their answer will be very different from the
lies which are sent North that Alsbama is peace
able. It gives the lie direct to that section.
There has not been a State election held in
Alabama at which the Republicans have not had
clean majority Of the votes cast, but in 1870 and
they did not succeed in keeping the Republicans
from voting to put in their candidates. This Is
no news to those who care to read and give credit
to the facts as reported, instead Of listening to
and believing that Alabama IS quiet.
In section twenty-three Of the bill Of rights
they say no law making any irrevocable grants
nv T1rfuf fpnpn fiaa hal Ia m al hv
the General Assembly" In other words, they
will hold out Inducements to capitalists to invest
their money here, and will give them encourage;
iron works and factories they will repeal the laws
passed in their interest, and they will be forced
to pay heavy burdens OF taxation or sell out at q
They have no intention to do anything that will
result In any real good to the people. While they
declare that the salaries Of officers
SHALL Re REDUCED ONE FOURTH,
In order to secure the support Of the present off,
to the constitution, they do not disturb them
In their salaries or terms, but also say the Gene
raj Assembly may increase such salaries by q vote
This is the worst demsgogery ever knew. It
Is real catch, for the purpose Of securing votes
for the ratification Of the constitution from the
tfenchment, and Will show this section, reducing
the salaries Of officers. But 1t can be seen at a
glance that It is not an honest intention to re-
trench, else why did they provide in the same
section that salaries can be increased by major
fly vote Of the Assembly. especially as the Re-
gu6icans tried to amend i 50 as % require three
voted down, and the original proposition Of two
thirds was stricken cut and 1t passed only requir
Can any one doubt the objects of the ssctIonR It
Is simply to deceive the people, and amer the con-
stitutiOn is ratified the Democrats, having ma
crease the salaries upon the plea that they are
paid in certificates, which are At discount. They
know they must make some showing Of retrench-
fro Ia IN HON fharr
made
SUCH LAVISH PROMISES
when asking them to call convention. But 1t Is
hardly possible that any one will be deceived by
They prohibit the Judge OF any court Of record In
this State from practicing law in the State or
Federal courts," which Will keep any hrst-class
lawyer from accepting such places, as they can
make more In single case often than the salary for
whole year amounts to. They require them TO
have .lfved in the State i've years, and learned
in the law" .
Although they cut down the judicial circuits
from twelve to eight in number, yet they leave
thirds vote Of the Assembly. As none Of the pres
ent judges go out till 1880, they will Increase the
apportioned the Assembly that the Democrats
wifi always have a two thirds vote. They Will,
of course, increase the number OF circuits before
the next election Of judges.
The constitution Of 1861 requires residence In .
the State Of six months in order to vote But this
was too liberal to suit these Democrats; although
they have changed the section on the qualifica-
tions Of electors, and require . residence of one
year in the State before Nan can vote, ami q
residence Of three months in the county and thirty
days In the precinct or ward. This shows the
true
SENTIMENTS OF THOSE DEMOCRATS.
They do not believe in any liberalIty In govern
ment, and II Il possible to ratify this cOnsti
tuition with clause requiring q number OF years.
residence to become an elector they would, In my
opinion, have engraited it in the Instrument
The old slave-owners do not like the common
horde, or poor white and colored men, to vote and
hold OFF,. They prefer to do all this themselves
In this age Of civilization and progress every
thing tendsto more liberty and greater privileges
In many States the old constitutions were found
to be too restrictive in many particulars and con-
ventions, when held, have always made them
conform to the advanced age Of civilization and
progress in which We live. But II is not so with
these Bourbons; they have learned nothing from
the past, and are not willing to advance with the
present, but --
CLING TO THE HERRsIEs
and acts Of the century ago. This State has sd-
vantsges possessed by no other in the Union, In i
Its general climate diversified soil and produc-
lions, but the greatest wealth Alabama has Is her
Of coal, iron and other valuable mine
rails; and, should this constitution be ratified,
fear long years will elapse before men OF capital
or even mechanics or laborers, will seek homes
here.
The people must become tolerant In politics
must be workers instead Of idlers-must learn 10
live within their means. They must encourage
De0nIa WIN emma amoDU thana-t0 make. their