Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-03-13
Mr.. Corwin's Amendment.

The Senate Of the United States, preyi-
Gus to adjourning on Sunday night, a
dopted the following joint resolution to
amend the Constitution. with Corwin' s
amendment, by vote of2i 10 Pa Con-
st;tutional majority. The following is the
Joint resolution, with Mr. Corwin's amend
mept:
BE enacted, de-, That the following ar
ticlc be proposed to the Legislatures OF
the several States as an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, which,
wheE ratified by three-fourths o. said
Legislature, shall be valid, to all intents
and purposes, as part Of said Constltu-
lion, viz:
Art. XII. No amendment Of this Con
sttution having for its object any interfe-
renee within the States with relation bS-
tween their citizens and those described
in section second of the first ar ticle OF the
Constitution as "all other persons" shall
originate with any State that does not
recognize that relation within its own
limits, shall be valid without the assent OF
every one of the States composing the
Union.
Ccrwin's amendment:
mo amendment shall be made to the
Constitution which shall authorize or give
TO Congress the power to abolish or inter.
rere, within any State, with the domestic
institutions thereof, including that of per.
sons held to labor or service by the laws of
taid State
This amendment was passed by the
House of Representatives on Thursday
last by vote of 1873 to IS, and has now
passed both Houses by Constitutional
- majority. 1t has now to be sanctioned by
three fourths of the State Legislatures,
when it will become clause OF the Con-
ssitu,ion of the United States.
With but one exception, and that not
vital enc, this proposed amendment to
our national Constitution is nothing but
sounding brass and tinckling oymbal."
II decides no question at issue before the
people now, and if fAboitionists are ban
ished from our country, ii will always be
unnecessary and superauous.
We are well aware that the Abolition
wing Of the Republican party, decla:e
that they win abolish slavery everywhere; /;
but large proportion of the Republican
party, are opposed to Congress interfer.
ing with slavery in the States where it
exists; hence the amendment for the
present, contains more wind than p:inci-
pie, and is q perfect dodging of the real
question.
We are we'll aware if fAbolitionism is 10
succeed in this country, AMI in view of
this fact and none other, will we support
the amendment, as it effectually removes
from Congress the power to abolish slaves
ry in the States where it now exists: and
this certainly would be attempted by the
Abolitionists, whenever the free States
shall number three-lourths Of the States
of the Union, which may soon lie the case
when they would no doubt so alter the
Constitution, as to give Congress the
power to Abolish slavery IN the State,
whore it now exists but by the adoption
o! this amendment now, bolitionisnl, if
il does succeed here in the North, it would
be long time before they could again
change the Constitution to suit their unhol.
ly desires. BY the adoption Of this amend
ncnt now ,abolitioni.m will receive fatal
N'oN, and so far as 1t can be accomplished
= Congress, the prohibition Of interfer-
once is perpetual.
1t is Notifying to us to know, that the
c'cat number Of able, and heretofore 50
s'cious men, composing Congress, and
g Peace Conference, should find them.
'tyes unable 10 solve that small but vital
question TO the Countrywide subject of
slavery in the territories. This was the
question, and it was upon this point that
the people wished TO render q decision.
and in reference to it, petition after
petition was sent to Congress and the
Peace Conference, but all 10 no purpose.
1t resulted in nothing bu. The above su-
tile amendment. Great men frequently
commit great mistakes, but we have new
er seen itso ably verified before.
The doctrine of the democratic party in
reference to the subject OF slavery in the
territoriesis, that if Congress has any pow
er to legislate upon this subject it must be
for its protection ; and IL ubolitionists are
banishcd, we would say non.intervention
by Congress upon the whole subject ofsla.
very.
Howcver,by the decision ofthe Supreme
Court slaves are property under the Con-
stitution, and it is we'll defined princi-
pie that no legislative power has authors
ty to act upon the subject Of property ex.
oePt for its protection, unless compensa,
tson i arst made to the owner. when il
rag b diverted 10 aa improper use; hence