The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1877-07-26
Chr 8utIand Tally GIobe
THURSDAY, JULY 26, 1877.
THE GEORGIA CONSTITUTIONAL CoNvEN
TIlN

TON
We reproduce from the Atlanta Constttu-
ton and publish elsewhere, this morning,
the maiz portion of the admirable address
delivered by Ex-Governor Charles J. Jen-
kins at the opening Of the Georgia consti-
tutioIal convention on taking the chair as
president of that body. Although, perhaps,
rather late in the day, we make room for it
because it contains thoughts which can not
be too often impressed upon people who
are inrusted with their own government;
and because its tore and the manner in
which it was received will tend to allay any
popular apprehension there may be at the
north of desire or intention on the part
of Georgia TO antago2ize the principles con-
tanned in the amendments to the national
constitution. 1t is in striking contrast
with the fears, or pretended fears, express
ed by James G. Blaine in his Fourth of
July Grafton at Woodstock, and is especi-
ally reassuring in view of the reign of law
lessress and terror in many parts of the
north to-day.
From this speech, if we may take it as
an indication of the spirit of the conven-
ton, it does not seem to be the object of
this Georgia constitutional convention to
drop out of the state constitution the idea
of perpetual allegiance TO the general gov
ernment, but the rather to provide against
the squandering, of the peoples money on
private enterprises for which the present
constitution-an anomoly in itself, incon-
sistent in ita several psrts, and framed by
carpet-baggers and ignorant negroes-has
furnished such abundant opportunity. 1t
may be that the new constitution will not
contain any reference to the rebellion, nor
any pledges against another Iebellion-such
references or pledges, indeed, would
amount to nothing in case the people of
Georgia shonld desire to rebel, any more
than did the clause in the constitution of
Michigan prohibiting the legislature of that
state from passing a license law prevent
it from authorizing the sale of liquor on
the payment Of specific tsx-but we can
6Se OiObS WIN NA4'S OiiliSoioh3 p aStiNoiiJ
worthless in any event, by the framing of
a constitution in harmony with the national
organic law, ana one which shall secure
equal civil and political rights to all men.
Such provision will be of more practical
importance than any idle pledges or gilt
tering generalities that could be incorpora-
ted therein.
The most valuable portions of the adj
dress are those which warn the convention
that a constitution should be framed which
shall treat the interests of the state as par
amount to local considerations which
shall embody the general principles of gov
eminent shall protect the public funds
from that plumber which has so marked the
course of officials under the existing con-
stitution shall provide a system of free
public schools and shall guarantee the
blacks the equal rights they enjoy, or are
entitled to in their new and elevated condit.
ion. All of these things Governor Jen.
kins distinctly demands, and the applause
with which their suggestion was received
indicates that the convention is in harmony
with the liberal views he expressed.
His utterances on the subjects of educa-
tion and race relations cannot be fairly
criticised except where there may be cap
tious disposition to resent his advice thai
Georgia shall not rely upon northern insti
tutions for the higher education of hel
T. 10 ,o.I -
ural for VeImonter to say the same thingi
with reference to Il reliance on southern
colleges for the higher education of hel
own youth-and why should it for Georg
ians? But all intelligent persons will ad
mire his position that it is the duty of thu
state to bring education within the reacl
of the masses in order to enable them prop
erly to discharge the functions of citizen
ship. This is something new for the south
and shows progress in the tight direction
and it is hopeful sign that such sentiment
were received with applause.
The same is true of his expressed wisl
that there should not only be no elias
legislation nor discrimination against tn
blacks, bet such treatment as will conyinc
the negroes that CHOSE who once occuple,
ga different relation to them fully recogniz
" the change that has elevated their civ
status, and are in truth their best friends.
This, as an expression of the president o
the convention, and Endorsed as it was b
the convention itself, contains promise 0
the voluntary obliteration of the color lin
in politics by the native whites of Georgia
and inspires confidence that the new cor
sttuiion will be in keeping with this ca
cellent purpose.
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The demagogue has found out that It