The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1879-12-31
Shall We Have q Constitutional
Convention?

convention
EDIToRs CLARIoN-I think have shown in
my previous letters that cur present Csnstitu-
ton Is great Improvement On our old one
and that apart from the desirability Of some
check on the uniyersality of the right OF suf-
fFage, there a re no such obnoxious provisions
n IL demand the calling of Constitution
al Convention. Let me Indicate some of
the objections TO the assembling of such "a
body, and then suggest how. IN my opinion,
the Imperative need Of some limitation upon
the right OF voting can best be met
The NEST obvious but not in nav opihi0n the
strongest objection TO the framing of an en-
tlrely new Constitution is the expense con-
nected with it. The cost of ( eefing he dele
gates, OF holding the convention, OF voting
upon the ratification OF Its work and Of elect
ng entirely Sc of officers under IL
would certainly exceed fifty thousand dollars
and might, with all the contingent expenses
run up TO hundred thousand. Moreover tn +
STATE has just bad prepared new Code OF ali
our statute laws The expense cf preparing
aud adopting. and printing ana distri butir 2
this. Will certainly reach twenty thousand
dollars. new Constitution, II any material
changes were made in present system Of
jurIs prudence would neeessIIate very soon. if
not Immediately, Il new revision anu c0dltica-
ton of the statutes rs to conform them TO
the new system Grave as are these objec-
lions they sink with Inc into insignihcance in
comparison with the turmoil and the strife,
the art-burnings, and the contention thal
believe must be evok ed by the framing Il new
Cons on at the present time. Let those
who resolve upon ii, make up their N nds to
embark for twelve months upon series of
contests, the end of which no man can fore
see. Be assured that if il Is attempted the
wear 1850 Is destined to be memorable in the
history of Mississippi. We shall have in less
than twelve months three general elections.
viz the state; one fer delegates to the Con-
yenti N; another for ratification of its work.
and then for President of the nlted States :;
and for Congressman. | presume that either
al the time when the vote on the adoption OF
Constitution takes place, or Immediately
thereafter, we shall have an election also for
all State, District and County officers, from
Governor down TO constable. Such Is the in :
variable custom in adopting new Constitu-
tions, and the legal effect OF adopting one
would be 10 vacate all offices, unless il was
otherwise provided in the instrument. l hive
no idea that any such provision would be in
serted.
Can any peace-loving well-wisher of his
country contemplate with composure such a
year as would have? Think for nome mt
what scenes we have passed through this year
with but one election; how many weary
weeks and months of intriguing for nomina-
tons; of Canyasslng, and speaking; how
much time and money has been wasted what
heart burnings and strife have grown up
among our own people; and how the atmos-
phere has grown dark with charges of frauds !
And vet this election involved nothing but
county offices and district attorneys. Ii one
election of minor Importance brought forth
such fruits what must we expect from three
elections, involving NOT only the great offices
of the land, but the mostim portant prime piles
that underlie republican institutions
But what would be the result of these cleo
tions? Who is wise enough TO foresee whence
a year of such control would land us p? Unless
great and important changes are TO be wrought
in the Constitution, there can be no sort of ex-
cuse for framing new one.
/ | should consider the calling of a Conven-
ton and the making of new Constitution a
60 :. Il II.
in some limitation upon the right of suffrage
But if this is done, and if other important
changes be made, the fOrma ion of party
who shall favor, and of party who shall OPP
pose its adoption is inevitable. Remember
/ this is the Presidential year, and the Repub-
/ lican party of the North is eagerly scanning
I the Southern States for "A chance to break the
/ line of the solid South Can we doubt that
/ they will foment and foster divisions in our
/ ranks, and instruct the negroes if they need
+ instruction how best to overthrow the Demo
cratic party2 Behold the fate of Virginia
where a division on a matter State polio
/ having arisen among the whites, the weaker
party smbined with the negroes carried the
State, and at this moment are engaged in
Richmond in carrying out the terms of the
unhOly alliance by parcelIlng out the spoils OF
office among negroes, Radicals and ReadiuSt
e-s. The glorious deeds and immortal name
/ of FitzIugh Lee did not save him from defeat
An armless veteran of the Stonewall Brigade
who was employed about the Capitol, has been
{ Inaue TO give way 10 IL negro. INIT l1IUSIflOuS
statesman r. NJ I. Hunter, at the age of sew.
enty-fve, enfeebed with years and oyer
whelmed by poverty, has been removed from
the office of State Treasurer to give place tC
some unknown demagoQue. All that has made
Virginia immortal in the past is trampled un-
der foot. and motley horde of white adven-
turers, backed up by their negro allies, reign
/ triumphant in the State Already the New
York Times declares that Virginia is no long
er safe for the Democracy, and affirms that by
good management 1t can be carried for the
Republican nominee next year. We may well
take warning by this example.
Butapart from the fears " hIch every thong hit.
full man must entertain of the result of such
year, of strife must have, | confess
that shrink with dread from such contest
The Radical Congressman who sad that ii
( Mississippians would raise less hell and more
hogs it would be better for themselves and
the country, blunty and rather profanely
embodied pregnant truth. We have too much
politics and too little material industry The
+ State imperatively requires II period of po-
political quiet and repose. Let young
men turn their thoughts and their exertions
TO the pillow and the loom, and the anvil
! and let politics and elections rest. The white
people of the State have complete control OF
every department of the government. Let
well enough alone. Try no doubtful expert
ments.
In conclusion, 1 would say, as said in the
/ beginning, that | would be willing to take
any risk if l believed that the assembling OF
n Convention would result in adapting Con
stitution that would be greatly restrictive
of the right of suffrage. Believing this hope
/ less, l would favor the submission OF an amend
ment to the Consultation requiring the pay
ment of poll tax prerequisite tovOting
/ Ii this be engrafted upon present
/ Constitution it would make that instrument
an admirable document. If such an amend
ment can be passed through both branches OF
the Legislature by twO-uhirds vote, as il
must be in order to be submitted to the peo-
pie it will give assurance that the white peo-
pie are practically unanimous upon it. If il
cannot be so passed through the Legislature
| it will make it certain that new Constitu
tiGn containing such a provision will be de-
feated at the polls. This amendment would
not be submitted at the Presidential election,
but at the genel al State election in 1881, and
hence there will be no occasion for it TO at
+ tract the special attention of the Republican
! party of the North. If our people and news
/ papers are then united in its support, and if
/ our tickets are all printed in favor of its
adoption it is highly probable that it may be
ratified without attracting much observation
/ or opposition. This is the only way | believe
/ In which it can be even attempted without
/ convulsing the State with contest, the result
Of which nc man can foresee and which, ter
inmate as it may, will leave its traces and its
/ scars behind for years 10 come. NJ. L.
/ A Correction.
YAZoo CITY, Miss, Dec. %, 1879.