New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1863-08-24
LETTER OF GENERAL A. J. HhMILT0
OF TEXAS,
TO TIE PBTSIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES.
OF TEXAS
Nrw.YoRS. July 2s, 1863.

and the Constitution Will trust excuse the freedom
of this letter and ny request Tor your patient eonsdera
ton OF what write
law, ~e tha your desire to have the great issues in
yoved in the present struggle properly and forever set
fled is not less ardent and constant than NY Oui
common wish has common roots in common aspira
tion for the honor prosperity and unity OF the fQub
lic that which YOU cherish derives peculiar siren oil
from the great responsibilities of the chief magisraoy
and that which animates every pulsation of my hear
derives strength moi less peculiar from the fact thai
the rebellion which impers orr country dosolaies my
once happy hOme-depriyes of their liberties and PUT
in jeopardy of their lives ny family, my Kindred III,
friends and my neighbors,
But II will avail little 10 procure temporary ADJUST
ment and an prompted 10 address you now because
observe quarters indications OF disposition 10
accept if not to invite peace which would ne'"Dy
lead to new commissions disastrous than Lac pres
ent
By some persons Of considerable political prominence
and by some leading presses systematic c.ort appears
70 be put forth reconcile the public mind To tie de
that the future policy of the Government NAY be formed
on the basis Of compromise with the cause OF the eN
listing rebellion which viii admit of the reesahlshneni
of Slavery in the States where it has beer abolished by
yonr proclamation Of January last
To pave the way. apparently. for such compromise
Northern sympathzers with rebellion and some 100 WHO
cannot Justly be so designated constantly onde'or to
impress on the public mindth notion that our National
and State Constitutions made for tie White race
alone and that therefore other Can have no rights
under them.
No one denies believe that the people OF the white
race were much considered III framing ouG Cohsh
tuto1s than the people Of the black race but the ipre'
son sought TO be made is that the blacks axe ocas"
by their terms and by inference from being regarded
ns part OF the people for whom they were made
The proposition 90 understood l propose briefly to
consider: and then add few words on the Pccy TO
which it seems me- it is intended 20 lead-namely
peace through full and complete amnesty aud the 2bIo-
CATION Of your Proclamation Of Emancipation.
Tie Constitutions from which the black population Is
supposed to be excluded can be only the Federal and
State Constitutions.
First then is it true Of the Constitution OF tie United
States that il excludes the black racer have sought
in vain for section or provision in that instrument
which in terms sustain the proposition, or which can
BY any possible construction give color to it, find in
fact in The Constitution the of tie PROPOSE
ton The third clause II the second section OF the
first article Of the Constitution is follows: "I.epre-
sen:atives and direct shall be apPoToAed among
tie several States which nay DO included within this
Union according 20 their respective numbers which
shall be determined by adding to the whole number Of
free persons including iost bound 10 serrioe for term
Of years and excluding Indians not taxed threefhs Of
all other PERSONS" The great constituent body which
forms the basis Of the political department Of the Gov
eminent Is here defined OF what classes Of persons is
this body composed lst. FrGt pasOns without ref
erence to color or nationality for such qualification
Is expressed OF be xnped) and including IN this
class of free persons" those bound TO service for
term OF years" and excluding from the class OF tret
yersons" Indians taxed then added to the body
OF free persons. including" &c. three-Gishs Of ca
Other persons" meaning by this description Of al other
persons" the slaves OF the South Who then the
free persons including those bound TO service for
term of years. They not slares Of whom only three
fths be oounted-nor they Indians not taxed.
is itrue that they who white alone belong TO this
caSs' Whence the idea. ard what are the
proofs Who the persons who for the most part,
were hold 10 service for term years az tie period Of
the adoption Of the Constitution believe it Is part
of tho history Of tie country thu, in Of Tie States
at that very time Africans their descendants were
held TO labor term Of years. II SO, they were
Included in the class Of free persons" in the
very terms Of the provision referred TO- and were in
tended to be included. SO the black who was
neither held TO labor for Of years for life but
who free person" inc.uded in the language
and the spirit Of the Constitution To this obvious
struction the Southern States have committed them.
selves By counting tic free blacks among their "res
persons" in determining their representation.
II those who maintain the theory Of exclusion will
point TO some clause provision in the Constitution
which sustains it the country viii be better pIepaied
for its consideration.
Even the slaves not thought unworthy Of recOgn
tion and are 10 the extent Of threefhs Of their
-.
political department Of the Government
But because this and other provisions Of the Constu
fion made in reference their condition Of slavery
isl TO be said that when they shall have ceased be
slaves they are. by silent and provision Of
the Constitution 10 be excluded from ali its proyiions
II their condition be changed from slavery to freedom,
the effect Of such change upon their status under the
clause Of the Constitution quoted IL TO incorporate them
with that class from which there IL deduction in fix
ing the basis Of representation. In what thea
and by what provision Of the Constitution Of the United
States are negroes when free excluded from recogni-
tioni
II we search the State Constitutions. there will be
found in many if not most Of those Of the free States
express recognitinn Of the black man.
Intlat Of the State Of NewYork they are under the
description Of "men Of color" allowed TO vote when
they shall lave BEEN for three years, citizens OF the
State and for year preceding the election at which
they propose 20 vote have been seized and possessed Of
freehold estate Of the value Of S2Jo above all debts
and membranes thereon, and upon which they Lave
paid tax might refer to the Constitution Of Massa
chusetts and OF many Of the other States for similar
provisions but is unnecessary In the face Of such
clear ormo,irs constitutional recognition, declaration
10 the contrary may. perhaps challenge admiration for
Its boldncss.
five arc noc IN Iearn that the black race areignored