Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1865-02-02
The Constitutional Amendment
WIFI 10 be Ratified by fhe states?

4, The glorious work of passing through
Congress by tw0-thirds vote, the Consti-
tutional amendment abolishing slavery,
which was consummated yesterday, does
not decide this important question. The
action of Congress must be ratified by three
fourths of the States, before it become part
of the Constitution of the United States.-
The clause in the Constitution providing
for amendments reads as follows:
"Congress, whenever two-thir,is OF both
Houses deem It necessary, must propose
amendments to the Constitution; or, on the
application of the Legislatures OF two
thirds of the several States, must, call
Convention for proposing amendments,
which, in either case, are valid TO all lntchts
and purposes, as part OF the Constitutlon'
when ratified by the Legislatures OF three
fourths of the several States, or by Conven-
tions in three-fourths thereof, as the one or
the other mode of ratification may be pro-
posed by Congress; provided that no
amendment which may be made prior to
the year one thousand eight hundred and
eight, shall, in any manner, affect the first
and fourth clauses in the ninth section OF
the first article; and that no State, without
its consent, shall be deprived of its equal
suffrage in the Senate"
Assuming that no States are out of the
Union by reason of the rebellion, there are
tbirty-six States to be counted. 1t therefore
requires twenty-seven States to ratify the
amendment proposed by Congress in order
to make it part of the Constitution. OF the
thirty-six States the following are certain
to ratify:
Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Missouri, Iowa,
Wisconsin, Minnesota, Kansas, Oregon. Ne
vada, California, Michigan, New York,
Pennsylvania, Maryland, West Virginia,
Rhode Island, Massachusetts,, Connecticut,
Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine-22.
This is five less than the required number.
Tho doubtful States, not IN reDellion, are
Kentucky, New Jersey and Delaware. Then
we have Tennessee, Louisiana and Arkansas.
If Congress shall recognize the reoIganiza-
ton of these States, they may be added to
the twenty-five States above enumerated,
making twenty-five in all. Then we must
have in addition two of the three doubtful
States, viz: Kentucky, New Jersey and Del
aware. The present Legislature OF New
Jersey may ratify. The Kentucky Legis-
lature is more doubtful, but there will be
no doubt about the Legislature to be elected
next August. The Delaware Legislature is
Democratic, but it may follow the example
of Democratic Congressman, and vote Tor
freedom.
1t is seen, however, that the prospect OF
obtaining ratification by three-fourths of
the States is not Immediately certain. But
ultimately the work will be done:-Cincin-
natl Gazette, Feb. LIST.
We hope The Gazette's construction WILDE
followed; but party that will in Congress
act as though it is not necessary that the
Rebellious States should be represented in
that body on a resolution amending the
Constitution, is not likely to be disposed to
count those States, or to allow their nom
action, to have any weight, in the final ac-
ton on that resolution by States. The party
in power is equal to any conceivable out
rage upon the Constitution.