The Indianapolis daily herald. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1865-1868, 1865-12-21
National Convention 60 Amend the
Constitdfion OF the Iuited states.

Constitdfion OF the Iuited states
What l. now the Constitution Of the United /
-tttess VINO can teli II hrs been trsmpled !
under foot ~ the Republicans, INITIATED ano
construed away by thei,arty IN power until II |
has become everything and nothing, as suits /,
The within ofpowcr. II has become practically
rope q sand"
The Hon. :. :. NICHOLS. Of Louisville, dis
tinguisbed iuri,t aud political writer, espe-
eially upon constitutional questions, has adj
dressed an able Communication, printed IN
pamphlet fJrs,. 20 the Legislature OF Ken
tncky, appealing % II 10 ask Congress 20 call
National Convention q amend the Consultation
of the United staes.. In the present
anarghic state Of the Government, this
Is the best thug that can be done.
What Is the state % our Government and
Union to-diy1 n the southern States are out
~ the Union. how, should they be replaced In
~ II. a. the Republican, contend, the Union
= dissolved. bow should il be restored 10 unity;
lit i not dissolved, why are not the Southern
states allowed REPRESENTATIVE I'm Congress-
w.. power doestlso g sastitutiOn confer upon
Congress over the :S,siss in reference to gum
anteeing them reput Jean governments? Does
IL give Congress thc power Of despot over the
s,tc Governments. thus violating the first
principle q republicani,n, in pretended action
% .iic repgblieanism, like the doctrine Of de-
strovnF tF Union 10 save the Union? The
experience and practice Of the last five years.
in administering Government. shows that we
need some action, some authoritative express
zion % declare 20 US what our Government j..
-
the st,tcs. as representatives, Of their State
sevcraiy, give this expression; to let the states
through their respective peoples, renstate
their Government. But the Republicans
viii not agree 10 this, and, hence. II
can not now be done, though the attempt
ought q be made. The Republicans are
now by practice, making the Government
what they want il TO be. They will never con-
sent TO be again bound down by Constitution.
They have rioted in lawlesSneSs too long. They
wish % mould our government, by practice
andsonstruction.intoo one Of unlimited powers,
bywhat + calledusaye and acquicscence. They
wish to make the Constitution and its grant Of
powers matter OF precedent. like the British
Government The I,epibIicans, therefore.
viii never consent 10 Convention. They
want % make the Government one OF unlimited
p0tceY, and they want 70 re-make the Union by
the exercise OF po,cer-force, and 10 hold IL
by'lcspOttsm. This viii prolory strife, create
ill-will. provoke resistance. necessitate a vast
overwhelming administration. with its expen-
size standing army. its treasury Of hundreds Of
millions. and its officers, its patronage equally
extensive. This is tchere ice are. The days
Of simplicity, economy, light taxes and liberty
have passed away. we fear. for an indefinite
period Of time. to terminate. perhaps. In
terrible convul-ion. All this could
be prevented. all Of the old time yir-
tue, liberty and good feeling could be
speedily restored il the present holders. and
executors Of unlawful powers would consent
10 hazard their loss 10 them by letting all the
the states, through their wise and good men.
electesi for the purpose by the people, in con-
venton, rc-adjust our troubles they would
consentto action again in the premises upon the
very first principles Of popular government.
We hope kentucky will ask for the call Of a
convention. In addition 10 the question Of
wha, IS Republican government, Mr.. MICH
oLs suggests nineteen points 10 be considered,
thu ths power Of Congress:
9 ]. To make paper money legal tender.
= To enforce a CONSUMPTION.
J. To make internal improvements
8. The power over public lands aud terri
tosieS.
>. The power OF confiscation.
.. The power % temporarily supply any
vacancy in the Presidential Office; and also
give Congress power 10 order another election
of President when needed. a. when no election
Il muie before the fourth OF March; also TO di-
vide the states into separate Electoral Districts.
u not - divided by their respective Legisla-
lures.
7. The Presidents mower 20 suspend the
privsiegs Sf the writ of habeas corpus. and she
right Of Congress 20 transfer 20 him any part
% that power. and especially making the trans
Ter for an indefinite time and over an unde-
nned setion Of country.
:. The Presidents power 70 establish and
enforce martial law. with thar 81 his trying
and Furnishing citizens not engaged in the mill !
tary or naval service.
p The conflict % power between Congress
and the President IN the Government Of insur- I
rertionary or rebeilious states
- The mode Of rcadmitting such states 10 /
2 participation IN the control Of the Federal +
Cos ernmcut
II. Piaeins an abuse ofthe patronage Of the /
Frl,ia initial o'h"c under some effective control +
l.. II practicable. without impairing any
priu-iple q rcpu5Acani>m, the rescuin., that
oihry and - lfronsge from the corrilpt. in
lnri "a scramble ofpo.itical parties.
n. Requiring a two-thirds vote from each
~tati-s IA 70 f8e nion.
a. The pretended right of secession or null i
inc4uau.
T. The citizenship or denizenship Of ne +
sroe-. with the right u the several states T. /
discourage Nv LEGISLATION the anal an alton of /
tn white and hiack races. and the power Of I
tougrt~> - promote such amtlgamation or q i
'ieport and colonizr tn blacks. with the policy
%! appropriatlns the public lands Tor their
benefit.
Is Whether the = .s- Of Conc-.ss ,o,.,
IT1lixe foreigners 2. Of shall Dc confined 70
thcSc q the furcpesia race.
J.. luayol1sace Il the Prohsble danger of
smother attempt n forcihle secession. il NAV be
well for the Convention % decide whether
when and how. Congress shall have the power
- permit tn secc>~lon II the states west II the
Rocky Mountains
i. To prevent corrupt packing. limit the
lumber q judges ~ the Supreme Court
d.. settle the number % delegates % a Ma
iontl convention, The nod Il their election.
.nd their apportfonment among the states