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2026 De Novo: Newsl. L. Libr. La. 1 (2026)

handle is hein.journals/denov23 and id is 1 raw text is: DE Novo The Newsletter of The Law Library of Lo)uisiana II1 I THE 1868 LOUISIANA CONSTITUTION by Miriam Childs Louisiana Supreme Court ChiefJustice John L. Weimer, along with Associate Justices Jefferson Hughes, Allison H. Penzato (pro tempore), Jay B. McCal- lum, Piper D. Griffin, John M. Guidry, and Cade R. Cole, are pausing to cel- ebrate and give honor to Black History Month. The justices are dedicated to pro- moting universal awareness and under- standing of the justice system. This is the first offour special Black History Month issues ofDe Novo, the newsletter ofthe Law Library of Louisiana, that will be distributed statewide by the Louisiana Supreme Court. The story ofLouisianas progressive 1868 constitution isprofiled in this issue. The backstory of Loui- siana's 1868 constitution begins when New Orleans fell to Union forces in May 1862. Leaders among the free men of color in the city viewed this development as an opportunity to prove their loyalty to the United States. Some of these lead- ers had served as officers in the Louisiana Native Guard, an African American regi- ment formed to protect Confederate Louisiana. The officers approached General Benjamin Butler to ask him to consider enlisting free men of color from the Na- tive Guard into the Union Army. General Butler con- ceded, and the first of three regiments mustered into the {{'forrth e t A'N Law Library of Louisiana Information Hours: Monday - Friday 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. Telephone: (504) 310-2400 TTY: (504) 310-2547 Toll Free (Louisiana only): (800) 820-3038 Fax: (504) 310-2419 Email: librarv@lasc.org Website: lasc.libguides.com 4-' a, Print depicting a selection ofAfrican American delegates to Louisiana's 1868 Constitutional Convention. Courtesy oftheHistoric New Orleans Collection. U.S. Army on September 27, political rights, the most 1862. important of which was the right to vote. However, African American officers General Nathaniel Banks, and enlisted men proved Butler's replacement, in- themselves in battle, and stead reduced recruitment of they believed that this meri- African American soldiers torious service demonstrat- and forced officers of color ed that they deserved full continuedonpage2 At Your Service Miriam Childs - Director Tara Cunningham - Head of Collection Services Sara Pixon - Head of Public Services Francis Norton - Research Lawyer/ Librarian Cynthia Jones - Librarian Angela Reaux - Librarian Abigail Bean - Library Assistant Javier Fernandez - Library Assistant Melissa Roane - Library Assistant ., r 1ENL f: r 1 IV - 1 -