The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1864-02-11

duced to submission Let this PROPOSE
ton, then, be tried In the two houses OF Con-
gress-that State in rebellion against the con-
stitution has lost its State rights for the time
being under the constitution-and we predict
that two-thirds vote in the affirmative in
each house win be secured. The man who will
dare to vote against this proposition will
thenceforward be politically dead.
The way thus being cleared, it will be an
easy matter 10 pass the proposed constitutional
amendment by two-thirds vote in each house;
aud there can be no doubt that within six or
three months, as Congress may appoint the
day, this amendment would be ratified by
three-fourths Of the loyal States each through
State convention. Then, dispensing with
those political humbugs known as military
governors of rebellious States, and with Presi-
dent Lincoln's unconstitutional and tinkering
one-tenth system Of restoration, let the revolted
States be held to the established rules and ar
tices of war till ready to recognize the consti-
tuition as it stands amended; and then, with the
suppression Of the rebellion, there will be an
end to Southern slavery, root and branch.
Based upon Senator Summers proposed con-
stltutional amendment, this is our plan for the
settlement of the slavery question. The time
and the opportunity for action have fully come.
and we truly believe that it only needs single
able, earnest and active man in Congress to
put this ball in motion in order to secure the
grand and glorious objects in view-of perfect
Union and solid and permanent peace.
A r A nnoiti fnr hA
enactment of bankruptcy law is again intro
duced in Congress. The question was mooted
in the last two or three sessions, but failed OF
the necessary legislation, occasioning great
disappointment, particularly to the unfortu-
mates, who number by thousands in all parts Of
the country, and corresponding anxiety is
now felt as to the provisions Of the promised
bill, and the probability of its final passage.
Such law is, to say the least, essential to the
perpetuntion Of an enlarged area of trade, the
Justice due to creditors, and the full and con-
sistent freedom of unfortunate insolvents. On
every hand it is regarded as popular measure,
| even in the midst of our internal dissensions,
and if the Solons at the national capital desire
to do favor to their confding constituencies
they will no longer suffer the act to drag its
slow length along, but hurry it at once into
practical existence.
The law Of 1841 saw but brief existence.
| Objections were had to several Of its principal
features-the bench. in some instances, pro-
nouncing it wholly unconstitutional. Conflict
ing constructions, as In the case Of iduciary
debtors-some Of the judges holding it valid
to discharge in part, others viewing defalca-
tions in that capacity as excluding the appii-
cants as class from any benefit whatever in
the law--these, with other discordant views.
deferred many applicants, and gave rise to OK
tended fruitcss litigation, all productive Of the
deepest dissatisfaction. In the forthcoming
bill it is hoped matters will have been
more wisely considered. In fact to produce o
law that will harmonic with every require
ment will prove no ordinary task. Constitu.
tional encroachments and the infringement Of
State sovereignties will demand the mos
scrupulous caution. To prevent frauds by re
moval Of persons or effects from one State tx
another, uniformity throughout the States is
required. We ask, in this connection. would il
not be well il existing laws in the several
States were based more generally upon thi'
principle of uniformity?
Various causes in our large cities have con
duced. in periods past, to individual CONNER
| cial disaster. We mention one-treacherous
bank facilities Very much like melting Z
man, under implied assurance of faithful assist
ance, to 60 to his neck in the beating surf at
the sea side. then, under some pretence, sud.
denly snatching away his rope, leaving him to
struggle back in . gasping condition, or be
swept afar by receding wave. Merchants
and traders of undoubted honesty Of purpose
were deluded often through these irregular
bank movements, and, in common with others,
merit the availability of q law that will give
them future acquisitions exempt from past obi
cations. Favor the honest unfortunate. Bet
ter one hundred scoundrols escape their de-
serts, through an error in legislation, perhaps,
than ten honest traders, by neglect Of rulers
and the oppression of soulless creditors, be
prevented from fulfilling their desire Of yield
ing to exact justice, and resuming the freedom
OF their wonted enterprise. Hasten the enact
| ment
ExTRAoRDrNARY EXCITEMENT ABOUT THE Pre- ST
DEScY.-Six meetings. more or less public,
have already been held in this city on the sub
| ject Of the Presidency by the friends of vari-
GUS candidates. Three of these have been held
/ 4. ~ rr;o lie or iuo hy FIJI oJa