The Evansville daily journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ia. [i.e. Ind.]) 1848-1862, 1861-02-25

instrument for its own amendment. A
formal application was made to Congress
to call a constitutional convention, and
when that Legislature had finished its ordi-
nary business it adjourned in good faith to
await the result of its application and the
action of other States.
There is little doubt that a proposition
coming from the Peace Congress asking for
a Convention would be favorably responded
to by all the loyal States and by Congress
if in session and there is as little doubt
that great good would come of such pro-
ceeding. 1t would instantly put quietus
on all revolutionary action in the border
slave states, taken for the purpose of hurry
ing their people n0LenS voJeas out Of the IN
ion. 1t would give the Union men in
those States solid ground to stand upon in
their battle with the gorgon of secession. 1t
would furnish a regular, orderly, constitu-
tional mode of redressing all real grievances
suffered by either section. It would give
the people of the North and South AN OPP
portunity to come together, through their
chosen representatives and to have a friend
ly and thorough understanding with each
other in regard to the difficulties of their
relation. 1t would give ample time for re-
Election and for full discussion of the merits
of the unfortunate controversy which Is es-
tranging the people of the two sections from
each other. 1t would measurably take the
matter from the hands of selfish politicians
ard reinvest the people with the direct con-
troll of their own fundamental law. 1t would
enable the people to elect delegates on the
merits of the one question of difficulty be-
tween the North and South, unbranded
with side issues, and would result in body
of able men, gathered in a single organiza-
ton, working upon single subject, liable
to no veto save the peoples, and able for
these reasons to work with the greatest
possible facility and fairness.
The following is the provision of the
Constitution of the United States regulat-
ing the call for Convention:
HART1CLE V.-The Congress, whenever
two-thirds of both houses shall deem it ne
cessary, shall propose amendments to this
constitution, or, on the application Of the
legislatures of two-thirds of the several
states, shall call a convention for proposing
amendments, which, in either case, shall be
valid to all intents and purposes as part
of this constitution, when ratified by the
legislatures of three-fourths of the several
states, or by conventions in three-fourthE
thereof, as the one or the other mode of rati-
ficatiou may be proposed by the congress
provided that no amendment which may be
made prior to the year one thousand eight
hundred and eight, shall in any manner af
feet the first and fourth clauses in the nintf
section of the first article and that no state
without it's consent shall be deprived OF it
equal suffrage in the Senate
The first clause above exempted from in
reference relates to the privilege Of import
ing slaves prior to the year 1902 priv
lege which has expired by limitation.
the fourth clause alluded to reads thus
ssNo capitation, or other direct tax, shall b.
laid, unless in proportion to the census o
enumeration, hereinbefOre directed to b.
taken"