The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1877-10-12

IariSh, anu Will no uOuDs SsOAAAS 4
he ,natured judgment Of his old neigh
Dors and friends.
= THE CONSTITUTION or 1883.
: We have taken the trouble to over
haul the Journals Of the convention Oh
1888. Among the documents recorded
Ia that book, we hnd two Indignant
protests against the adoption +of the
constitution. Both Of these
protests are In the very plainest terms
and. In the light OF wlaatj has aimee
,rsnspired, seem almost prophetic. Ihe
tlrst we offer IL the protest OF Judge i.
8. Crawford, = nnan we'll known lof
his legal learning and his devotion 70
the Republican party. Judge Cra~
toesi, q delegate to tho convention, nieo
the annexed protest against the consti-
tuition OF Louisiana under which which the
state Is NOW ruled !: t.:.. ;: =. .st x:
Z The undersigned ine4nber OF the con-
convention Of the STATE OF
Louisiana respectfully submits thf. tol-
lowing NJ some Of the reasons which
,jnpel him to vote against the adoption
IF the constitution framed by this con-
vention.:
~. In the bill of rights, social equality
IL attempted to be enforced, anu the
ri,rht of citizens to control their own
property Is attempted I" be taken Isom
them. s':s2
: 2. A judicial System has been adopted
which, in my opinion, IN radically de.
fective and will render uncertain ana
insecure the rights to property an" the
lives aud liberties Of the people:
n. A .syste.n of public education has
ieen adopted, which, in my opinion,
will force heavy contributions from the
tax-payers Of the State and will entire
Nv prevent any public schools from be-
in9 carried into effect, aud tend To pre-
vent the rising generation from being
teducatod, and to entail upon the state
large class of ignorant inhabitants,
and will subject the State to the excia-
.iye control of the ignorant ana un-
educated.
4. A system of prescription ia adopted
which attempts to deprive u large class
Ut citizens OF the privilege of voting or
l,holding office who are liable to pay
taxes and assist In bearing the burden.
Of government, and the manner OF
restoration is calculated to invite the
mean and unprincipled to participate
in voting and holding Office, and te
drive away the good and honorable.
s. The oath Of office is Inconsistent
with the constitution, il absurd, dss
graceful and rilliculOus.
8. The direct tendency ut the consti
tuition, as Il whole, il to engonder ant
perpetuate state of strife between tn
citizens of the State, to such an extern
~ will lead to hostile collisions, anarch!
and the utter subVersiOn Of all law ant
governments that the adoption of tn
fItnnstitution will drive many good citi
xens from and prevent emigration u
lthe State, retartl her progress, dtsstro.
her internal Improvements, blight he
prosperity, and destroy her peace AM
happiness. ...l-,.-..
|, He respectfully asks that these rts'
p Soma be entered upon the Journal Ot tn
con vsntion. II. s.. CRAWFORD,
or Caldwell and Ouachita.
Five days subsequent, on the 7th
March, 1868, the following protest wa
entered by Judge Labelling and job
/, Barrett, Esq, against the adoPt,""
. the present constitution
: The undersigned members Of tn
I constitutional convention of the Stat
J. Of Louisiana respectfully submit tt
= | folio wing a. some of the reasons whic
:. impel them to refuse to sign the const
tuition which the convention hi
= framed: ..,-.;. 1. ., = -.
> lst. Because, in the bill Of right
: social equality Is attempted to be e.
/. forced, aud the right OF citizens to co..
: troll their own property is attempted
be taken from them for the benefit
. the colored race. -.... s...
It I'd. Because judicial system III
e been adopted which is radically defe
Il tive, which renders uncertat" aud Y
secure the rights to property and Il
i liberties of the people.
,, 3d. Because the proposed constitute
n tlisfrnuchises large, influential a,
Intelligent class Of citizens OF the Stat
This ia iulpolitic, dangerous and unjus
and Is opposed to republican principle
4th. because a system of public ell
=. cation Is forced upon the people, whe,
-. a. ,,,H,IHoa who ara tn 9OORlOrt II