The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1864-03-11

more quickly and etfeclually chan can BE-
accomplished by any other mode.
The Proposition to Amend the Consti.
tuition.
There is one subject, TO which we have
before alluded, that, in our opinion, dc.
mands the immediate and earnest consid
Grafton OF the country, viz: the proposed
amendment Of the Constitution SO as to
secure the total and perpetual extinction
oil Southern Slavery. We fear this sub.
Ject is not yet attracting tho attention
due its importance. Several measures 10
amend tho Constitution have been intro.
duced in Congress, but they do not seem
to be pressed with the vigor necessary TO
speedy II Ultimate, success. There is,
evidently, still a hesitancy on the part Of
many professed Union men to interfere
with the so'called compromises of the
Constitution respecting Slavery ; a fail.
ure to see the urgent need of such inter.
terence or a lingering and unworthy
Difference 10 that disordered sentiment
which, in times past, attached unjust
odium to the name of Abolilionist. But
the ~scruples OF all such should DO dis.
missed, now that the Shareholders Re-.
bellion has afforded both the provocation
and the opportunity. The whole case is
thus briefly and forcib!y stated by the
Washington Chronicle:
"The With article Of the Constitution of
The United States reads as follows: The
Congress, whenever two thirds of both
Houses shall deem it necessary, shall pro-
pose amendments to this Constitution, or,
on The application Of Tie Legislatures of
two-thirds Of tie 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 Con.
stiIu!ion, when ratified by the Legislatures
Of three fourths Of The several States, or
by conventions in three.fourths thereof,
as the one or the other mode Of r%atifca.
ton may be proposed By the Congress;
provided, that no amendment which NAV
'O ptlpi W ~ fCNT Oub thousand
eight hundred and eight. shall in any way
affect the first and fourth clauses in the
ninth section o! the first article, and that
no State, without its consent, shall be de-
prived Of it's equal suffrage in the Senate
at will be observed by this article that
two remedies are proposed for an amend
ment of the Constitution-one BY the
Congress. and the other on application Of
the Legislatures Of two-thirds Of the sew
eral States. From indications which can
not be overlooked, it is evident that while
two-thirds Of the Senate stand ready 10
approve the resolution reported from the
Judiciary Committee OF the United States
Senate, proposing the practical and por-
petual abolition Of slavery, a sufficient
number .of Opposition members in the
House will not be found ready 10 acqui-
esce in this reasonable and now most es-
sential movement. /. therefore behooves
the true friends Of the Government, and
the sincere opponents Of slavery in the
loyal States, 10 call upon their respective
Legislatures to apply to Congress 10 call
convention for the purpose of carrying
irto effect an amendmen, to the Consti
thiOu "hiOh ollhll lbiNNtI IIOllDl bIHftTN
in all the States Of the Union. No time
should he lost in cohsummating this i'm
portant reform. The people ofiwo thirds
Of the States are opposed TO the existence
of slavery, and, with lenergy, unity, and
promptiiude, tho good work can be nc,
compllshed at an early day.
"There are thirty,ive States; twenty
five OF these States are now represented
in Congress. II the Legislatures of TWEEN
ty.ihree oilhese States shall decide in ia.
vor Of the proposed amendment, that de.
cision will be mandatory upon Congress,
and the next step will be to call a conven-
ton. TO which the proposed amendment
shall be referred, which. when adopted
by that convention and ratified by The
Legislatures Of three fourths Of the sey-
eral States, or by conventions ia :hree.
icurths thereof, shall be valid 10 all in
tents and purposes, as a part of the Fed
eral Constitution"
In accordance with the views expressed
in the article above quoted, Mr.. Kellogg.
Of A~shtabula. has brought the question of
amending The Constitution before our
Safe Legislature, which, it 10 10 be hoped,
will take prompt and decided action in re.
lalion to it,
There are considerations which render
i, vitality important that the few provis.
ions Of The Constitution indirectly recog.