The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1877-10-20
TIVE CONSTITUTION OF 1868.
[Ouachita Telegraph

cd in that book, we flEI two lndlS-
nant protests against tie adoption OF
the prcscnt constitution. Both OF
these protests are in the very rlalnest
terms, and in the light of what has
since TRANSFERRED, seem almost pr"p'-
rtic The first we offer is the protest |
of Judge r. $. Crawford, man we'll
known for his legal learning aud his
devotion to the Republican party.
Judge Crawford, delegate to the
convention, fled tic annexed protest
against the constitution Of Louisiana
under which the State is now ruled =:
TIE undersigned members OF tn"
constitutional convention OF the State
of Louisiana respectfully srnbmltS
the following as some of the reasons
which impcl him t" vote against the
adoption of the constitution framed
by this convention:
]. In the bill of rights, social equal
ity is attempted to be enforced, and
the RIGHT of citizens to control their
own property is attempted to be taken
from them.
2. A judicial system has been adop-
cd which, in my opinion, is radical Y
defective and will render uncertain
and insecure the rights to property
and the lives and libclties Of the peo-
pie.
3. A system of public education has
been adopted, which, in my opinion,
will force heavy contributions from
the tax payer of the State and will en-
tire]y prevent any public schools
from being carried INTO effect, aud
tend to prevent the rising generation
from being educated, and to entail
upon the State large class of igno-
rant inhabitants, and will subject the
State to the exclusive control OF the
| ignorant and uncducated.
I. A system Of prescription is ad'
| opted which attempts to deprive a
large class of citizens of the privilege
of voting or holding office who are
liable to pay taxes and assist in bear
ing the burden of government, and
the manner Of restoration is calculated
to invite the mean and unprincipled
to participate in voting aud holding
Office, and to drive away the good
and honorable.
$. The oath Of office is Inconsistent
with the constitution, is absurd, dis
graceful and ridiculous.
6. The direct tendency of the con-
sti,ution, as a whole, is to cngender
and perpctuate a state OF strife be-
tween the citizens of the State, to
such an extent as will lead to hostile
collisions, anarchy and the utter sub
version of all law aud government
that the adoption Of the constitution
will drive many good citizens from
and prevent emigration to the State,
retard her progress, destroy her lli-
ternal improvements, blight her pros.
perity, and destroy her peace and
happiness.
lie respectfully asks that these rea-
sous he entered upon the journal OF
the convention.
r. S. CRAWFORD,
| Of Caldwell and Ouachita.
Five days subsequent, on the 7t'1
of March, 1868. the following protest
was entered by Judge Ludellng and
John Barrett, Esq, against tho adop'
ton of the present constitution
The undersigned members OF the
constitutional convention OF the State
of Louisiana respectfully submit the
following as some OF the reasons
which impcl them to refuse to s's'
the constitution which the conven
ton has framed:
lst. Because, in the bill of rights
social equality is attempted to be ell
forced, and the rights of citizens tt
control their own property is attemp
ed to he token from them for the ben
eht of the colored race.
2d. Because a judicial system hal
been adopted which is radically de
fective, which renders uncertain ant
insecure the rights to property ant
tho liberties of the people.
: Sd, Because the proposed constlto
ton DISTINGUISHES large, Influential
= aud intelligent class Of citlzens OF t"'
State. This is impolitic, dangerou
and unjust, and is opposed to repub
lican principles. go.
4th. Because a system OF pooi'
education is forced upon tho people
whereby the whites who arc to sup
port the school by taxes levied OF
their property, will be practically ne
4. barred of the advantages of the pup
lie schools. Mixed schools VIII no
j.. elevate the negroes, but VIII deoas
the Whites. Another effect OF TIL
system will be the neglect OF tn
education of the colcred children.
5th. The oath of Office is lncousls
tent with the DISTINGUISHING clause Q
, the constitution, and is absurd ,
9th. The dilect tendency OF III
constitution, as whole, is to estao
lish negro supremacy in the Stato' ,
The undersigned believed that Ia
!. adoption of the constitution VII
) drive many citizens from ana WI
! prevent emigration to the State, re
tard her progress, destroy her III
ternal improvements and blight he
prosperity. =.
They, therefore, respectfully as
that these reasons may be entere
upon the Journal of the convention
J.. john Y. LUDELING.
or 0nachita and Caldwell