The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1878-07-27
ARTICLES 135 AND ;3i.

place III d. AVIuo'N"'' ~
ARTICLES 1875 AND '@S;;.
lOpelousas Courlrr.
It has been repeatedly stated through
the press, and never denied, $" :araS
we know, that the proposed "m'""-
ments to the Constitution were "G'rtu
to in caucus to which the Errnh|'rAn
members of the Senate AHd House
were parties. We now wish q >i'H"
the truth OF this statement, "nA 1T
the same time the untrnsIW"v|i'"'>S
Of such body in the important mat
ter Of framing the organic law.
The amendments prop"sc to leave
intact Articles lbs and l:}f of the Con-
stitution. They are as follows:
"Art. 1876. The General Assembly
shall establish at least one i're pub
lie school in every parish throughout
the State, and shall provid" for its
support 10y taxation or otherwise. a"
children of the State between tine
ages Of six (6) and twen'N-'nr \1i)
shall be admitted to the'puhi'c schools
or other institutions of learning SnS-
tanned or established by the state, N
common, without distinction "t rn'''
color or precious condition, 1hr''
shall be no separate schools or 'nS''!"-
tons of learning established cxc'n~'v-
ely for any race by the State OF Lou
siana.
ton shall make any rates or 'tG"|aho"S
, contrary to the spirit ond 'nf'"'''. "
. article one hundred amt MT|v n''.
. It is quite evident that Tire R"rnN-
|icaus consented to vote t"' the pro
:. posed amendments on condition '"a'
Articles l35 and 1856 should remain !"
l. the Constitution as a part OF the la"
a of the land, and it is also equally ''
idept that Democratic members Oh
the Senate aud House acceded to TINS
demand.
We are we'll aware that this thing
sought to be explained and jns''llt",
On the ground that tho question OF
~ mixed schools has ceased to DO aS,'a'
ted and has been practically settled.
"a IF it be true that the colored people,
If have acouiesced in the separation OF
- the public schools, the Democrats
n should have demanded the clml''l-
re- ton from the Constitution OF 50 90,
N noxious a feature, on the ground that
r. Il m;sreoresented the wishes and pu'-
n n,saa Of both races. and upon the
a, same theory tho representatives 81
10 ,nn colore0 people Would have as
Le sented to it. But the simple fact that
or the Republicans refused to vote for
,,s anv Of the amendments unless these
his Articles were retained, and that they
M voted for all Of them upon that con
nd. ditiou, shows plainly enough that tue
ha nrinciple is not conceded by them
bs, but is retained and only awaits a fa
he vorab|e opportunity for agitation, II
,at not for practical enforcement.
Neither is it true iu fact that TIT
of agitation Of this question has cease"
: We have before US copy OF the New
ON Orleans Observer, a paper edited AM
INV published by colored men ami as al
and organ Of their race, which contains
Of thirteen editorial articles on this sub
,es. iect, and insisting upon the enforce
ion ment of the law in respect to 'u'xe'
Of schools. 1t repeatedly reminds tn
lent iudses of the State that to refuse {!
an. enforce this provision is to comm,
re- ptriurv, and We would like to as
,oly how any Judge could refuse to one
inn these provisions, without II ri'la'lo
ken Of Ills oath to support the Const'tl
cot ton Of the State' 1t can not be dou'
Dre- Hence, the public school system
ony tue State, in its most important re;
and ture. rests, not upon law, but up"
and the violation of it, and it MAJ h
r IT,. broken up at any time that race pre-
al udice or partisan interest may uete
mine to do it. !.
that But the argument that the qocstl'
a. a is practically settled against mix
ding schools, put forth at time when
the are asked in effect to assent to al
con- re-incorporate in the Organic IL
At. these obnoxious provisions, pla'
OK. the people of this State il III
and eouivocal and notifying dilen''
|, Mr.. Suffer these provisions 10 fe'''''"
Bin. the Constitution, but with the
ficsrs Outstanding that they are to be '
q the lated throughout the State! Cor
pbal. der. if you please, the spectacle OF
"A Of enliqhteued and free people ola q
Moth state, whose history is illustrated
nstify the best civic virtues of the An
,oners Saxon and the Gallo race, deliber
" coosentiug to place the comm
weeks wealth in situation so humi'1at'
d the Let us have done with such tru
,erodt, ing policy. 1t will disgust and h'
,asked down the Democratic party u II
q can insisted upon and carried out:
Die for cannot justify such measures by
were appeal to reason or to the law OF
ID an. cessity. The same power that
;tached cued the State from Radical DO
Surratt ion is willing and able to refor
70; was the abuses inflicted by Radio;
ut the and to eliminate from the law al
moved denominations engrafted upon il
:. after less some iusidious aud selfish
i, when ence intervenes to prevent It.:
. court And this restoration and RI
Of Gen. can be effected without oa's'
compromise, and without low
II - tho standard of public or private
,rcy for tue. Let the people demand q
mbsr Of stitutional Convention. The b'
Andrew tarests Of society, the safety an
w, and istewce Of the Democratic part!
l,ratt to adjustment Of the organic law
el.alf Of interests and feelings OF the pc
. some. indee. every consideration va'u
innocent a free people, accustomed to sci
istory is eminent, demands the holding
. for the Constitutional Convention. IT
rts we're man as a delegate to your p''