The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-07-06
A Picture.

AS a matter of serious contempla-
ton we desire to call attention to a
few of the points in the constitution
of 1863 which are disloyal to repub-
lican government. Article |, Bill of
Rights, is plagiarism of the Declara-
ton of Independence, and declares
that governments among men derive
their just powers from the consent of
the governed;' Article 2, enunciates
the baldest paradox thereon, when it
declares that we as citizens owe par
amount allegiance to the United
States. Allegiance implies loyalty to
government when used in the sense
indicated, and the government spoken
Of by the trainers of the constitution
under consideration implied a power
directly foreign to the people, who,
according to the expression in the
first instanced article, are the deriv-
tive power from which governments
are drawn. In other words, the con-
stitution of 1868 contends that the
Creator establishes a creature and to
that creature the Creator owes allie
glance.
Here is vital principle of demo-
cracy which the constitution directly
assails and which the amendments are
silent upon. Article l54 contains an
opposite, not only to the high sound
ing declaration of the Bill of Rights,
Art. l, but to the very theory of re-
publican liberty. 1t says that this
constitution shall be submitted for
ratification to the Registered voters
of the State (meaning that every man
who was engaged IN the defence of
his State and cause were not included
among those to whom this precious in.
strument should be submitted) in ac-
cordance with an act Of Congress for
the "better government of the rebel
States" The very idea that a con.
stitution was necessary, not for the
happiness and welfare of the peo-
pie not because the citizens demand
ed it, but simply to gocera them ac-
cordiDg as the ideas of an implied
greater power might desire, is so ut
terly repugnant to the very essence
Of democracy that it is appalling that
men should contend longer to retain
it. That in The beginning this con-.
stitution should declare that all pow
or, all government, must spring
from the consent Of the governed and
then to say that this very instrument,
intended as a restriction upon the
rulers, should assume being, have
legalized form, should be adopted,
submitted and ratified in accordance
with the demands Of the Congress of
the United States, stamps the whole
instrument with the indelible mark Of
its creation. 1t not our purpose to
follow this constitution through and
point out those defects which are ap-
parent and which are repugnant to
civilization-those infamous carica.
lures which attempt to assume Deity
and would force a ,commingling of
races in places Of .common resort and
in public schools which the amend
ments shirk, and by that 'sllirkpg en-
dorse, in a most contemplate and
cowardly manner-but we, only call
attention to where the very spirit Of
tho whole is violative Of every prin.
ciple Of true democracy ana subver-
sive Of liberty. AID to, cap all we
conclude with the following resolution,
among the last acts of a convention
that will stand out in history as an
instrument of despotism, which is
even more conclusive of the facts we
are attempting to illustrate that
the instrument Of 1868 ID anti-repub-
lican.
By Mr.. Belden, Il IL. ... @":,
Resolred, That a committee of three
be appointed by the chair to ,cait on
Major General Hancock, and inform
him that the Constitutional Conven-
ton has competed its labors and that
the Consultation Is nov ready to be
submitted for ratification to the quail.
jfed electors of the State. r. d, 4
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