Year: 1868

Stdte OF 4DtSSSSStppt"


GENTLEMEN Some time since, the Execu-


i've Committee of the Democratic Party.


nnblished a Constitution and Bylaws recon


1mspded by them, for general adoption 1t


isearnestly hoped that thorough system of


orrauizatiOn for the approaching election is


being adopted upon this plan. The political


objects set forth in these documents, NAV


be summed up III two words:


90 Constitutional Liberty" :"


The utter disregard of the Constitution of
the United States, and the total overthrow
ofthe Constitution of ten States, by the Re
publican party, creates an imperative ne
cessity for the people to proclaim anew the
first principles of the American system of
free government


The political platform of the Republican
marty of this State, is the reverse of our own
and may be stated in two words also, to-
wit:


CONSTITUTIONAL DESPOTIsM'


The Military Convention now in session
are about to conclude their reasonable la
bOrs for the disiranchisement of all our
most prominent and useful citizens. They
have carried their prescription far beyond
the dictaton of the Radical Congress. In
stead Ofa constitution for free people, it is
bill of pains and penalties for imaginary
offences; is &c post facto in its character; and
void under the Constitution of the United
States.


The system of amalgamation, mscegena-
ton and taxation, imposed by other pro-
visions of this Constitution, not only corrupts
the fountains of justice, but amounts to
total cOntscation of all the property in
the, State. AS the Radical party
are to become the sole recipients of the pub
lie treasure, to be raised by this tyran1cal
system,-to hold all the offices-receive all
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS all the revenue,
and wear purple and fine linen every day,
at the expense of the taxable people of the
State, they look upon these barbarous
measures with the utmost complacency, and
are already prepared to carry their designs
into execution, by procuring ratification
OF this Constitution at the ballot box.
Their secret associations for this purpose
now encompass the State, and they are play
ing for the dazzling prize with the despera-
tion of gamblers who have cast their all up
on die.


PEOPLE OF MISSISSIPPI These are no
idle words we address to you. Every utter
ance is pregnant with advice; every syla-
bic redolent with warning The enemy
count the negro vote by thousands, and are
holding out the most tempting bribes to the
mountaineering voters. If these two ele-
ments are permitted to combine, your Con
stitutiOnal liberty is forever at an end
Constitutional despotism forever in the as
cendant. This point reached, war. pesti-
lence and famine" are the natural con-
comitants


There is time yet to avoid this approach
ing torrent of social, political and pecuniary
ruin The people still have right to as
semble and concert the necessary measures
of defense. The Executive Committee have
pointed out the means of accomplishing this
result The Bylaws of the Democratic As
sOciations direct what is to be done-if
these are promptly and successfully exc
cuted, all will be well-if neglected, all will
be lost.


The reaction against the Radicals at the
North, is progressing with great power
and portenos the success of the Demo
cratic candidate for the next Presi-
dency. If we defeat the Radical Constitu-
tion now, and succeed in the Presidential
contest, we will preserve our present Con-
stitution and laws.


The committees and subcommittee to be
appointed in the Police Districts of every
county have important duties to perform.
The chief labor of the canvass devolyeS on
them, and their work should be speedily
and thoroughly executed. These commit
tees should be sufficient in numbers to ena-
BILE them to see in person all the people in
their neighborhoods within few days at
most and procure their signatures to the
constitution and bylaws, together with
personal pledge to be active among the
people and to be present at the polls and do
all in their power to secure a unanimous
vote for the principles and candidates of the
party.


1t would be well to have one or more
members of these committees on every farm
or plantation, where they should unite with
the freedmen in the preservation OF order
and domestic tranquility, and in the sup
preston of all secret political associations
designed to sever the interests of the planter
and the laborer-the employer and the
employed-and to tax the people for the
support of political mendicants and Migrants
from other States who have 10 claims on
pah If
degrade our people and reduce them to pen
ury and political servitude. For more than
two wears our labor system has been para
lyzed by these nefarious combinations, and
the result has been found in univeIs sal bank
ruptcy and distress alike with the planter
and the laborer, and indeed among all cas-
ses of society.


These sad lessons teach us that the inter
ests of the planter and the laborer are not
only identical, but in fact indissoluble, Tor
when dissolved, mutual ruin suares them
in the face and mocks them with fearful
calamities.


1t has been labor of love with the pub
lie spoiler to produce these direful results.
For three years past he has been on the wing
for his prey, land If for a moment he mas
paused in his internal flight, it has been
upon some kindred rock to whet his vulture
fang for a keener rapine and replume his
wing for a more sangulnary desolation."


The people will not fail to perceive that the
mode of organization proposed, may be use
full alike for political. agricultural and social
purposes The membership embraces all
GOOD citizens who are in favor of Constitu-
tional government-the District Committees
will include the influential men of all por-
tions of the counties. Their duties will
keen them in constant communion and good
fellowship and their meetings at the county
ate will enable them to know the exact con-
dition of the country IN all its political, agri-
cultural and social aspects. 1t is an organi
zation, not for the present alone, but for all
time to come. 1t is based on the idea that
eternal Vigilance is the Price of Liberty"
that the public servant is accountable TO the
neople-that personal ambition and private
interest must succumb to the public vel
fare-that public officers must be pure in
heart and qualified in mind-that the Con-
stitution must be maintained at every haz-
zard. and that Justice must be done though
the heavens do fall.