Mississippi’s Old Capitol museum includes an exhibit on the 1868 Constitution, featuring this proposed language by Thomas W. Stringer: “Resolved, That suffrage shall be universal, and all male citizens, of any race or color, without regard to any previous condition, excepting such as have been disfranchised for participating in the late rebellion… shall have the right to vote at all elections held in this state…” In the end, the constitution was passed without this stipulation. Photographed March 3, 2023.