Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1861-01-31
TOWANDA-
AMENDMENTS TO THE CONSTITUTION

Messrs. Biger and Crttenden, in sheir anx,
iety to carry their points, propose to carry
their proposed amendments to the Constitution
in novel way, entirely unknown to the Con
stitntion itself.
That instrument preScribes the methods for
its own amendment, and those methods are
the only ones by which it can be amended. 1t
provides that Congress whenever two-thirds
" Of both Houses shall deem it necessary, shall
propose amendments to the Constitution, or
" on the application of two-thirds of the several
Estates, shall call a Convention for proposing
" amendments, which in either case shall be
valid. to oil intents and purposes, as part
" Of The Constitution, when ratified by the leg
" slatures of three-fourths of the several
States, or by Conventions in three-fourths
" thereof as the one or the other mode of
" ratification may be proposed by Congress.
See Article V of the Constitution.
Here two methods of originating and ratify-
ing amendments are pointed out: two-thirdS Of
both houses may originate them, or call a
Convention for proposing amendments; but in
either case they must be ratified By the Leg
isiatures of three-fourths of the States, or by
Conventions in threefonrths thereof. Beyond
this Congress has no power
Yet Messrs Bigler and Crittenden propose
to amend the Constitution by submitting the
proposed amendments to vote of the peo.
pie We have nothing to say against the plan
itself; but we insist that, if the Constitution is
to be amended at all, it shall be amended in
the Constitutional way. Those who have
sworn to support tnat instrument have no
right to set aside one of its plaiuest rrovis-
ions.
An instrument which prescribes method
for amending itself can be amended ia no other
way. To admit that it can is to admit the
power of multiplying and disregarding it. Con
gress possesses the power which the Constltu-
ton gives it, aud no more; and it has no power
under it, to submit amendments to q vote Of
the people. All the powers not given by it
were reserved to the several States and this is
clearly one of the powers not given.
The committee Of thrty-three also propose
to amend by putting in a provision, prohibit
ing all interference with Slavery in the States
which shall not be subject to future amend
ment, as other amendments are. This may be
all proper, so far as this particular subject is
concerned; but the principle is wroEg. No
free people should recognize the idea of Con
stitution which they cannot amend. To do so
is to voluntarily tie their own hands and leave
themselves without remedy.
We oppose this particular amendment for
other reasons. We have before stated that it
is unnecessary and a work of supererogation
We see no necessity for it; and the adoption
OF it is an acknowledgment which we are un-
willing to make, that Congress now has power
to interfere with Slavery in the States.
The present complications of the government
do not grow out of the Constitution, nor out
of any defect in it. We are content to live
under it as it is The country has prospered
under it for seventy years, and We believe most
sincerely in letting it alone.