Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-05-06

the satraps left their masters capitol, but Q
few days will develop it more clearly, and
to time it may be left.
BRoUGH is on horseback, booted and
spurred for campaign, the beginning o.
which may look promising enough; the end
thereof rests with the uncertain future.
Recognition of n Divided Union
John Sherman's Resolution.
Gradually the leaders of the Aboli-
ton party, and its majority in Congress, are
making formal recognition of the alleged
fact that there are existing in the bounds Of
the United States two distinct independent
of the majority in the United States Senate
only adds another strong link to the chain
of evidence on this point.
Some time since JOHN SHERMAN, of Ohio,
offered in the Senate resolution embracing
three propositions: First that a quorum
of the Senate shall consist of a majority OF
the Senators duly chosen and qualified; sec
ond, that if a majority of the electors duly
appointed and qualified vote for one man
for President, he shall be the President, and
third, that if the choice of President de-
wolves upon the House of Representatives,
majority of the States represented in the
House, may determine who shall be Presi-
dent.
1t is natural to inquire, why the necessity
of any action of Congress upon these mat
ters, since the Constitution is explicit upon
each of them? The Constitution provides
(Art. l, Sec. 81 that majority of each
House of Congress shall constitute quo
rum to do business; 1t also prescribes
amendments, Art. XII.) that If any one
person shall be voted for by majority of
the whole number of electors appointed,
he shall be the President, and it further
provides lin the last named article) that, in
case the election of President deyolves
upon the House of Representatives, the
votes shall be taken by States, the rep
resentatives from each State having one
vote, that quorum for this purpose shall
consist of a member or members from two
thirds of the States, and majority Of ALL
THE STATES shall be necessary to
choice.
Does Mr.. SHERMAN by his resolution pro-
pose to explain, modify or alter the Consti-
tuition, and if he does, whence does Con-
gress derive the power to do anything of
the kind? The Constitution speaks for
itself; it is the supreme law of the land, and
it has established Supreme and other
Courts as its authorized exponents and in
terpreters. This attempted interference
with the functions of the Judiciary is an
evidence of the revolutionary tendencies
and designs of the leaders of the party, with
which Mr.. SHERMAN is connected.
The Senate on the 4th inst. adopted the
first proposition in Mr.. SHERMAN's resolu-
ton, by vote of 26 yeas to IL nays, leav-
ing the other two propositions to be acted
on hereafter. The majority Of the Senate
have thus declared that quoram in that
body shall consist hereafter, not Of ma
jority of Senators representing all the
States, but of majority of the Senators
who may happen to be chosen, and quail
fled by taking the test-oath prescribed by
the Abolition majority. We do not now
inquire into the constitutionality of this
proceeding; we only record it as most
significant fact, admitting practically that
no representation in the Senate is expected
by those who voted for the measure, from
aayaraI Gfatas of tho IIniOn
This action is in truth an admission or
rather proclamation to the American peo-
pie and to foreign nations, by solemn legis-
lative action; that the Union is divided, and
that portion of the States have seeded
from, or dissolved their connection with the
Union, and that there is no present prospect
of their return or restoration. If such be
not the true explanation of SHERMAN's
proposition as adopted by the Senate, it has
no meaning or force. It's manifestintention
is to provide for State of disintegration
or division of the Union, which is thus
formally acknowledged to exist. 1t conse-
quently admits the existence Of at least
two distinct and independent soyereignties
within the limits of what natives and
foreigners have been in thehabit of regard
ing as the American Union.
Proceedings OF the Western Assoc
cinted Press.
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