The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-09-08
Gen. Schenck's Proposed Amendment
of the Constitution.


Gen. Schenck's Proposed Amendment
of the Constitution.
Cen. II. 9. Schenok, in q speech at Porte.
mouth, on the 18th ult., presented an origi.
nal plan for the settlement of the Suffrage
question, which is destined to command
universal attention. II was simply to amend
tho Constitution 80 as to mako tho whole
number Of voters, instead of inhabitants
the basis of Federal representation. The
abolition of Slavery, and the conscquen,
practical abrogation of tho "throe. fifths
rule" will largely increase tho representa-.
tion Of tho Southern Statos in Congress and
the Electoral College, and, the whole mum
Der OF membe rs OF the House being fixed
will decrease tho representation os the
Northern States to tho samo oxtont. This
is. Of course, just and right, aud patriotism
requires that it be ohoerfully acquiosced in;
but the danger that, unless oil loyal men,
black as vol as white, in tho late Rebol
States, arc permitted to vote. the increase
ofpower will inure to tho benefit of tho OK
rebels and shareholders alono, is enough to
alarm and arouse TO action every intelligent
friend OF tho country. Such result must
be prevented, cost what It may; aud, there.
fore. while We would not object to wisely
discriminating rulo Of suffrage, which would
include some and exclude others, according
TO worthinoss and capabllity, knowing that
there 10 no likelihood that such rulo will
soon bo adopted, VIC arc for Universal Suf-
frage. as the only solution Of tho problom OF
reconstruction which should find favor with
loyal men. Bufiled and defeated in arms
but still unreformod and unropcntant In
rpIrit, tho Rebels arc now seeking to regain
more than their los: power In tne Govern
ment, through strategy and fraud. Tho,
ask for pardon, without acknowledging
thoir guilt, and swear anow thoir allegiance
without admitting that It has over boon vic
lated. only that they may thereby bo re.iu
stated In thoir old places Of powor and in
fluence. Many Of them are ac.uated by o,
foul q purpose ~ wore their soldiers who
carried the United States flag In battle, in
order to deceive and cusnaro the Union
forces. With the aid of such faithful allios
as tho Northern Democracy, thoy hopo to
make tho emancipation of tho slavos ro.
dound to tho permanent subjection of the
country to their domination. But the
smondment Of the Constitution proposed
by Gen. schenck. which is perfectly cluit
able in itself, would. if adopted, thwar, al
their iniqutous designs. Tho only vail,
objection that can bo raised agains. it, is
that il will require time to render ID OBJECT
i've, and neither tho country nor humanity
should be mado to suffer by dolay ol
proper action.
We quote from Gen. Sohenck's spooch
If no other representative O,
tho people makes tho proposition before
me, pledge TO you my promise that oarIy
IN the next Congress i will propose this
further amendment that from this tmo for.
ward, for oil the States alike, tho Constitu.
tion of the United States shalt be 30 changed
ms that representation shall be founded up.
on voters, and not upon population. fAp-
plause.
Let US look into this matter, md os-
pocially ask the attention of any Democrats to
who may be present. for want them to nm.
swer whether thero is anything ant, demo.
craslc or anti-repubiican 10 this proposition
By the present ,hreo, o,fif,hs rule, supposing
the slaves still remain in bondage, the fol.
lowing were some Of tho results:
Maine, by tho census OF 1860, had pop.
ulation OF 26,9b0, aud on this population
was allowed five representatives.
Alabama had a population Of 52G ,4sl, ius
100000 less than Maine, but she was al
lowed, under The three fftbs rule, sev,,
members-two moro than Maine.
Vermont had population of 3l4 $50, up
on which she was allowed Mree represents
tives.
South Carolina had population Of 29I
3S5-2O,OOO less than Vermont, and upo
that, because OF the largo number Of be
slaves, she was allowed sir represent tstiyes.,
twice as many as Vermont, though Vernon
has the greatest free white population.
PsnnsJ JlVanis. with population of 2