Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1865-11-17

I
of the other, and will accomplish what
! legislation and vioisnt political change
can not, The inevitable presence Of
| both races upon the same soil, the de.
msnds and necessities of capital and
labor, and the unavoidable community
OF interest, will, ia process of time, /
cannot doubt, force reciprocity of
rights and privileges. The institution
OF slavery was SO closely intertwined
4 about the foundation of society in the
Southern States, shat, when it was de-
stroyed, society was broken to pieces.
The process Of the reconstruction is
but beginning, but it is very certain that
j the new structure will differ, in most
essential particulars, from the old. Free
labor, free speech and free schools will
come into it as new and powerful
elements Of change and progress, and
large emigration from the Northern
States and from Europe, bringing COM
merce manufactures and improved
agriculture, will exert modifying and
beneficial influence, the effect Of which
can hardly be over estimated.
Another amendment, not only condu-
}, Give to the interests Of the freedmen.
but demanded by the rights and inter-
ests of the white people of the North,
1shopld0be made, changing the basis of
\ representation in Congress and the ap.
: Hportionment of political power among
the several States. The present provi-
sion IN the Constitution of the United
4 States concerning this reads as follows:
4 Representatives and direct taxes shall
\ be apportioned among the several States
(which may be included within this
4 Unionrby adding to the number of free
persone, including those who may be
bound to service for q term of years,
/ and excluding Indians not taxed, three.
I .Jifths Of all other persons. The phrase
"three-hfths of all other persons was a
periphrastic description Of the slave
population, and gave representation for
three-ffths Of their numbee. By the
abolition of slavery this population is
added to the number of free PERSONA s
and thus increases the basis of repre-
sertation BY the addition Of two.ffths. So
The inequality produced between the
several States by this form of represen.
tation, is too palpable to require argu-
ment. By its operation, eight million of
white people in the Southern States,
hold, and exercise political power, full
sixty per cent. greater than an equal
number of white people in the Northern
States, by reason Of having in their
midst four million of negroes This
provision was the chief compromise
which our fathers made with the institu-
ton Of slavery, and although, through q
sense of its great injustice, it has been
impatiently acquiesced in by the North
ern people, yet it has been carried out
in good faith; but nov that slavery, the
foundation of this compromise, has
| PASSED away, the provision should be so
changed as to suit the altered condition
of the country, and do Justice to every
part of the nation. II it we're SO
amended as to apportion representation
and political power among the several
States according to the actual number Of
male voters over the age Of twenty-one
years, it would be equally fair for all,
aud would put it out Of the power Of any
State, or class of States, to increase or
double their political power by the pres
ence in their midst of population which
they themselves deprive of all political
rights; and thus inducements would be
presented to the several States, in order
to enlarge their power in the Govern
ment, to confer political rights upon
every class of persons, without regard to
color or nationality, as rapidly as might
be deemed consistent with their true in-'s
terests. 6 o9ulr tlt ~ s. i
BY the census of 1860, the fifteen
slave States were allowed eighty-four
l(s4j members Of Congress, because Of
the representation Of three iifshs OF their
slaves, and now that the slaves are made
free, and the other two ffths added to
their basis Of representation, they would
be entitled to fourteen members more,
although perhaps in point of law this in
crease cannot take place anterior to the
year 1870. If the negro population was
equally +. ditfused throughout ALI theI
States, this inequality would not exist,
but the fact is, It is not diffused, and the
probability is that the concentration in e
the Southern States will become greater
from year to year by the emigration
thither of the colored population of the
North According to the census of 1861 b
the Southern States upon a s0hite basis
would have been entitled to sixty-six
members of Congress, instead of eighty
four according to the existing basis.
| Whatever opposition there may be to
the adoption of this proposed amend
inert, it amounts, when stripped uof its
coverings and sophistries, simply to this:
that the white people of the South ahallae
continue to exercise in the future, as in
the past, sixty per cent. more of political
power in the National Government, than
an equal number of white people in the
North, and for this great inequality and y
injustice am wholly unable to perceive
any good or Efficient reason. -. tl-
| Should sue an amendment be passed
by the requis tie msjorities through the
| Congress OF. the United States, before
your final Adjournment, I would most re-
/ specially, but earnestly, recommend it's
imm ediate ratification on our part.
aiIn conclusion on this subject, SIN
not of the opinion that the herculesn
worxs of reconstruction will be accom-
plished at one time, by any general and
sweeping process, but that it will proceed
State by State, as each one shall conform
to the requirements OF the Government,
and show itself loyal and prepared to re-
sumo its practical relations TO the Union.
The conditions which have been imposed
upon these States by the President, are
not only reasonable and legitimate, but =
are dictated by justice and wise FORE
sight for the future of the Republic, and
allhoagh they may not be accepted this
year, or even the next, yet that they III
timately will be have no doubt And
if the work Of reorganization shall be
successfully completed within the same &
period which was required to put down
the rebellion, it will be within the limit
of my expectations.
~ sGt of CONCLUSION. W li r+
The war has established upon imuer-
ishabIe foundations, the great funda-o
mental truth of the unity and indiyisi-
bility of the nation We are many
States, bat one people, having one undi-
xided sovereignty, one flag, and one
common destiny. 1t has also established,
to be confessed by all the world the ex-
allied character Of the American soldier,
bis matchless valor, his selfsacri6cing
patriotism, his capacity to endure ia
tigues and hardships, and his humanity,
which iu-the midst of carnage has
wreathed his victorious achievements ~
with a brighter glory. IL - h.goIls
He has taught the world lesson be-
fore which it stands in amazement, how,
when the storm of battle had passed, be A
could lay aside his arms, put off the ha-
biliments of war, and return with cheer
fullness to the gentle pursuits of peace
and show how the bravest Of soldiers
could become the best Of citizens ar'u
t. Al A At a