The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1882-06-13
Mouticsllo Consifutioa. snssl
Mr. Canpbell's LESTER sa q Csa Sal
RwelOma1 C0mve@nkwm.

9WHN0m0M ODmyC@AADms
The Pensacola Commsrsial Of the sd q Nay
contained lengthy letter from r. l. Campbell
ESQ.,, (who, 1t Is conceded, Is one Of The most able
lawyers and brilliant writers in the State of Flor
ida,) discussing the new party movement and
change in the fundamental law BY conventioa-
We would be pleased 10 publish tins letter En-
tire, bat its great length viii keep IL Out Of mos
of the State papers as il does the C0zstitztsaA-
Mr.. Campbell alleges that in counties where
the negroes predominant, when the question q
holding a constitutional convention WAS submit
ted TO the voters at the election IN 1Ss0 tine
Democrats and black Republicans c0alesced b
defeat the measure, and for the reason Thai balh
parties had fear Of each otherr +" The whites
(afirms Mr.. CampbelD said, i fear Republicans
supremacy in the election Of county officers
by the people, because the new Constitution
might not abridge suffrage The black Repub-
lican, on the other hand, said, 4 fear Democrats
supremacy because suffrage viii be restricted
The writer is certainly correct in this statement
But, he says, the fear of the Democrats was idie,
because his party was and had been for years
dominant in the State, and the application Of the
educational test would make it stronger"
Although we were favorable 10 and voted AR
a constitutional convention al the electinn n
1880, and argued that the whites Of the black
belt would be protected from the Overp0wering
force of the black rice, by restricting clause IN
reference to the exercise of the franchise, tO Be
incorporated in the constitution, We must confess
that our confidence in the latter supp0sition has
been very materially weakened. and that, toe
by the private and public declarations Of leading
citizens of the white counties. II has been de-
declared, and with startling emphasis. that a
vast majority of the Democratic voters Of the
State are residents of the white counties. and
that the voters of said white counties are entitled
to the credit of redeeming the State from kAdi-
cal rule in 1876. and maintaining Democratic
government-and, therefore, consideration Of The
consequences of the exercise Of popular suffrage
in the election of county officials in the black
belt is of secondary consideration
II is true the Democratic party il now, and
has been for some years, dominant in the SisIfe
and said party would, in all probability. pre-
dominate in a constitutional convention. bun We
desire something more tangible than the mere
knowledge of said fact, as guarantees against the
horrors of negro local government Democratic
ascendency in the government of the Stais would
be no protection against negro government in
many counties.
As to an educational test, as suggested BY Mr.
Campbell, that will not be sufficient; nor could
a constitution with said feature incorporated
therein be ratified by the people. The negross
would vote solid against il, and unfortunately
there are a great many white voters in this state
who would be disfranchised by such clause
OF course they would not vote Cor their own DIS
franchisement, and the friends of said unfortunate
class would also vote against their legal dehase-
ment
Ii is unfortunate for the Democrats Of The
white counties, who desire 10 elect their county
officials, that some of their political leaders
should have been so reckless and illiber1l In ex-
pressions of indifference as 20 the fate Of thelT
less fortunate brethren OF the black belt Many
who formerly favored a constitutional c0nEen-
ton have become distrustfnl of the uncertain
element that may convene in convention, and
now prefer 10 endure the evils that encompass
us than to seek relief upon an uncertain sea We
desire Republican form of government in faci
as well as in name, but prefer a monarchy in is
worse form 10 local negro government