Year: 1875

CNDOING RECONSTRUCTI0N.


The conservatives of North Carolina are
taking steps to undo the work OF recon
struction. AT the late session OF the leg
islature bill was passed by the required
two-thirds vote for the calling OF con-
yention to amend the constitution, and said
convention is to be held next September.
The proceedings of the legislature were
characterized by haste and illegality, but
the stimulus of the democratic victories in
the last fall elections was such that the
democrats of North Carolina fully believed
the time had come for them to remodel
their constitution framed in accordance
with the plan of reconstruction, and make
It better adapted TO their peculiar plans
and purposes in regard to the coored peo-
pie. What their proceedings and designs
are is the subject of an article in the May
number of 1.-The Republic" monthly
magazine published at Washington, the
author of which is Ex-senator Pool OF
North Carolina, who is perfectly familiar
with the affairs of that State.


The present constitution was adopted in
1868. This was the preliminary step to
admitting the State to representation IN
Congress. But when representation was
secured the purpose was formed to change
the constitution as soon as possible. An
attempt was made in 1870, but the people
voted i. down In 1873 eighteen proposed
amendments were submitted to the people,
eight of which of no special Importance
were adopted and the remainder rejected.
In 1874 nothing was done about the mat
ter, but when the legislature assembled in
1875, the excitement caused by democratic
success in the northern States was suffl-
cient to carry bill for a convention
through the legislature, and next Septem-
ber will witness bold and determined
effort to overthrow the constitution, the
adoption of which was the condition on
which North Carolina was permitted to
re-enter Congress rs before the rebellion.


The object n changing the constitution
by those who desire it is SO to remodel it
that the negroes shall be kept in an inferior
and dependent position. They believe in
the democratic theory that the blacks are
an inferior race and should be kept in sub
lection TO the whites. How such result
can be brought about, in view of the
Fourteenth and Fifteenth Amendments.
and of the position assumed up to this
time by the national government. is con-
sidered and answered by Mr.. Pool. In
the first place the opposers of the present
constitution hope that the democrats may
obtain control of Congress. in which event
they feel well assured that no remedial
measures will be taken by that body 10
protect the colored people against State
legislation though it tend to reduce them
again to slavery. Having no fear Of the
interference of Congress they can shape
their local laws and government to accom-
plish what they aim at. ltcan be effected
partly by direct law, and partly by evasion
and the manner OF administering or en-
forcing the law Representation may be
so apportioned, and the conducting of
elections SO arranged as to secure to the
dominant class the legislative branch of
the State governments. The election OF
Governor. of judges, and of magistrates,
may be taken from the people and given
to the legislature The appointment, of
sheriffs, constables, and clerks may be
given to the magistrates. The whipping
post may be restored. and the punishment
inflicted for minor crimes, followed by
civil and political disability thereafter, as
was formerly the law in the State. The
main reliance however of the whites to
keep the colored people under will be
vagrant laws. apprentice laws and laws
regulating the obligation and enforcement
Of labor contracts


Without going farther into particulars we
may remark that Ex-senator Pool has not
only exposed the danger which threatens
the State constitutions in the South adopted
in accordance with the reconstruction
plans of the general government. but the
danger which menaces the colored people
in that section and threatens to make
emancipation nullty. Ii the plan sue
ceeds In North Carolina all the other States
that can will follow her example, and
slavery will again be established in its
former dominion and more strongly en-
trenched than ever Shonld the general
government pass into the hands Of the de-
mocracy in 1876, giving them the control
of the power which it wields, and imply
ing thereby that the great party which
fought Slavery and Disunion had ceased
10 retain the confidence Of the people OF