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The Littell copy of Arkansas' unsurprisingly contentious Reconstruction Constitution. While it allowed Arkansas to rejoin the Union, restrictions on rights for former Confederates and other ideas considered "Radical Republicanism" resulted in anger and violence in response. This constitution strengthens the power of the Governor's office, recognizes "the equality of all persons before the law" regardless of "race, color, or previous condition," enfranchises Blacks, grants property rights to women, voids the secession constitution of 1861, restricts the voting rights of former Confederate officials and soldiers (until 1876), outlaws dueling, establishes a system of free public schools, and forbids religious tests as a qualification for office. James Pomeroy, who compiled this volume, was a Little Rock lawyer. Following the adoption of this constitution, Union-general-turned-Governor Powell Clayton tried largely in vain to enforce its strictures and curtail Klan activities and other agitation in the state. When Clayton left to become a senator, the gubernatorial election of 1872 became a hotly contested race between Elisha Baxter and Joseph Brooks. Voter intimidation and election fraud were the words of the day, but eventually Baxter was certified as the victor. Brooks took a group of armed men into the state house in 1874 to oust Baxter by force, and violence between supporters of the two candidates broke out in the streets of Little Rock. The ensuing "Brooks-Baxter War" continued to the tune of some 200 dead Americans until President Grant intervened on behalf of Baxter. Regardless of Baxter's final victory, the conflict resulted in the drafting of a new, significantly more conservative constitution (sometimes called the "Thou shalt not" constitution for its numerous limitations on government) in 1874, which remains in effect today. A rare and important Reconstruction document presented with detailed and useful indices, from the library of famed Americana collector C.G. Littell. SABIN 63923. vi,[2],16,xxv-lxxxii,54,cxxxvii-clxxvi pp. Quarto. Contemporary three-quarter sheep and marbled boards. Leather rubbed, worn along joints, some paper loss to boards. Scattered light foxing, otherwise quite clean internally. Bookplate of C.G. Littell on front pastedown. Very good.
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