REPRINT OF THE OFFICIAL CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AS REVISED AND AMENDED BY THE CONVENTION ASSEMBLED AT MONTGOMERY ON THE FIFTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 1867 [caption title].

[Alabama]:

Published by Washington: Printed at the Great Republic Office, [1867-1868].

About this Item

A scarce contemporary printing of Alabama's "Reconstruction" constitution of 1867, the constitution under which the state rejoined the Union after the Civil War. The constitution declares that all men are created equal and that "no form of slavery shall exist in this state." Also included in the declaration of rights is the statement that "this State has no right to sever its relations to the Federal Union" and that "the right of suffrage shall be protected by laws." The constitution goes on to delineate the boundaries of Alabama, describes the powers of the executive, legislative, and judicial branches, and the make-up of the state's militia and structure of its educational system. When the vote on the Alabama constitution was finally held in early February 1868, a majority of the conservative whites in the state boycotted the vote. Despite its overwhelming approval by those voters who actually cast a ballot, the constitution was actually defeated under the terms of the Reconstruction Act as a majority of voters in the state did not participate. In reaction, the United States Congress eliminated the provision requiring majority participation, put the constitution into effect anyway, and readmitted Alabama into the Union. This Alabama constitution was originally published in Montgomery in 1867, and another Washington printing (a government document of nineteen pages) appeared in 1868. This private "reprinting" was likely sponsored by local champions of Radical Reconstruction, and was probably circulated in late 1867 or early 1868, before the ratification vote. A scarce and important document. OCLC 41010439, 228679469. Dbd., removed from a sammelband. Original self-wrappers. Spine somewhat ragged with stab holes from prior sewing, ink stains to first page, otherwise only scattered staining and soiling. About very good overall. Untrimmed.

Seller Inventory # 58190

Bibliographic Details

• Title: REPRINT OF THE OFFICIAL CONSTITUTION OF THE STATE OF ALABAMA, AS REVISED AND AMENDED BY THE CONVENTION ASSEMBLED AT MONTGOMERY ON THE FIFTH DAY OF NOVEMBER, A.D. 1867 [caption title].
• Publisher: Washington: Printed at the Great Republic Office, [1867-1868].