Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1864-04-22

The following ia the joint resolution as passed:
joint Resolution proposing amendments TO the
constltGtiop of the United states, submitting to
the legislatures OF the several States a PROPOSE
tion to amend the Constitution of the United
states:
x, II rrsalr.d 81 n. Scaat, and House ~ Renr'
sru.,t.ses II Congress csserbicd, (two-thirds o!
b.th Houses concursing) TIA; the following ar
ticle be proposed to the Legislatures Of the sever
al States as amendment t. the Constitution vi
the United States, which. when ratified by three
fouy,hs Of said Legislatures, shall be valid to s't
iutenis and purposes, as part Of the said Con
stitution, namely:
Arr. MIL Sect l. Neither slavery no. iu-
voluntary s.rvisude, except punishment tor
crime whereof the party shall have been duly
convicted shall exist within tn. United States VI
any place subject to their Jurisdiction
See > Congress shall have power 70 entore
this article by appropriate legislation.
II may be matter of doubt If the
necessary two thirds vote can be obtained
in the House TO pass this important pro-
position There are some war democrats
in this branch Of Congress, who will vote
yea. perhaps. but the great body of the
party have no idea OF killing. most ef-
fectually. their old ally and friend. Ii
would be clear ease of fratrlcide. this
knocking ON the head with the constitu-
tional mallet,-of slavery. Some of the
members, act speak and vote. IA if the
preservation Of the national life was worth
nothing unless slavery can also be pre-
served.
The bank bin was killed in the House
bv its friends. II cannot come up again,
unless d. aoyo. This is hardly 10 be eN-
pected in the present temper OF the
members, and with their diverse views.
Our own member. Mr.. Pike, we believe,
did not give the measure hearty support
not coinciding with the leading features
of the bill He does not believe in Great
ing local banks to provide the currency of
the country. but thinks the national Gov
ernment should make, as we'll as establish
the circulating currency. He believes in
greenbaeks;'' and all banks chartered
should he by the National Goyernmen,
and they should be banks of deposit and
discount. and not of circulation. This
would make the paper money of the
country current all over the land. We
were ne ,er fnaneicr enough to keep a
small sized wallet well lined with any kind
of money, so our experience in finance ii
worth nothing, and our opinion ditto. Bu
If anv one desires to know what kind o
paper money is held in the highest estima
ton, let him Try to pay his bills this side o.
New York with Eastern money and he vii
find tha, greenbacks is the only currency
which passes current. Now it seems 10 u,
that if the Government will only make thu
dutie. high enough, and lay on the taxes
without stint, that il can issue greenbaek
almost without limit, without disturbing
the business Of the country any more thar
il is now. At any rate, ii may as wei
have the benefit of the whole paper eircu
laton as for local banks or private indisid
uals. Why not, Since the suspension o
specie payments, local hanks do not us
their ewu bills in preference TO that OF 9th
er banks, in making payments. But WI
, are talking about question that is abou
as intricate and ineIplieable as the Schles
wig Holstein question, and one we know a
little of, 90 therefore, no more.