The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-20

ia this difficulty to be surmounteds How are
the interests Of the country, North and South,
to be made the interests Of the party in power!
We answer. by . comprehensive adjustment in
the supreme law, satisfactory to all parties
concerned; and such an adjustment, we think,
is embodied in the following proposition for
constitutional amendment, which we understand
will shortly be brought before Congress-
ARTICLE - Section l. Every State shall have exclu-
Jurisdiction over the right OF suffrage within its own
limits; provided, however, that person shall be
cluded from the elective franchise account OF color
rarc religion.
Sec, .. All persons engaged in tho late rebellion
against the government OF the United States hereby
restored all the rights which they have forfeited pro-
vded however, that this shall not apply TO rights OF
property in regard TO which legal interests third par
ties have interviewed.
This proposition. ii seems TO US, covers the
whole ground Of our existing difficulties with
the late insurgent States. First, it gives exclu-
sive jurisdiction to the several States over the
right Of suffrage, with the saving proviso that
there shall be no exclusions from this right on
account Of color, race or religion. This puts
all races, "a to voting, upon footing Of equal
ity, while it leaves TO each State the right 70
determine for itself what qualifications in the
way Of property, education, residence, &C., shall
be required fits voters Nothing, It seems to ia.
could be fairer to the States and 10 all parties
concerned than general suffrage in this form.
In the next place, the universal amnesty pro-
posed will settle all our existing embarrass-
ments in reference to rebel disqualifcations and
confscatiOns; and, in the full dissolution for all
the sins Of the rebellion the people Of the South,
from JEFF. Davis down, will feel that they are
indeed restored as brethren In the great and
glorious family of the Union.
Let the republican party make these propo-
sitions for constitutional amendment its re-
construction platform, and it will be supported
by the administration and the country. Let this
amendment within few weeks be passed from
Congress to the States, and before the end of
the present session il can be ratified by three
fourths Of the States. Now is the time for ac-
ton, when the State Legislatures are in session
or are about TO convene. Give us this amend
meat, and the task of restoration will be so
plain and easy that within few months we
shall be fully prepared, with The reunited
North and South, to settle our outstanding ac-
counts with England and France up on simple
demand for justice. Otherwise, in the absence
of some such arrang sment as this, She republi-
can majority in this Congress, in failing to
effec! any settlement meantime, will have TO
face the danger of disappointed people in the
elections of next fall for the next Congress.
We admonish the republicans of this Congress
that a settlement is expected from them, and
that against the representations OF General
Grant and the policy of President johnson they
cannot stand before the people. Upon this
suggested constitutional amendment the party
may hold it's ground