Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-11-23

adopted, which not only forever prohibits slavery
throughout the nation, but cOnfers upon Congress
the power oil egislating for the protection Of their
liberty and their civil rights; and these things,
among others, the President of the United States
has imposed as precedent conditions in the work
Of reorganization, and has declared his purpose to
hold and govern these States by military authority,
as in a state of war, until they have been complied
with. Time, and the influence Of The new condi-
tons by which they are surrounded, Will elevate
the condition of one race, and soften the rreudices
and aspcrites Of the other, and will accomplish
what legislation and violent political changes can
not The inevitable presence of both races upon
the same soil, the demands and necessities OF CAPT
tai and labor. ard the unavoidable community OF
interest, will, in process of time, can not doubt.
force a reciprocity Of rights and privileges. The
institution of slavery was SO closely intertwined
about the foundation of society in the Southern
States. that when it wa. destroyed, society was
uprooted and broken to pieces. The process of its
reconstruction is but beginning, but is very GER
tain that the new structure will differ, in most
essential particulars, from the old. Free labor,
free speech and free schools, will come into il
new and powerful elements ofchanse and progress,
ard large emf grafton from the Northern States
and from Europe, bringing commerce. manufac-
lures md improved agriculture, will exert modi
fyng and beneficial influence, the effect of which
Another amendment, not only conducive to the
interests of the freedmen, but demanded by the
rights and interests of The white people of the
North, should be made, changing the basis of
representation in Congress and the apportionment
Of political power. among the several States The
present provision in the Constitution Of the United
States concerning this, reads as follows: "Repre
scntation and direct taxes shall be apportiOned
among the several States. which may be included
within this Union, by adding to the number Of free
persons, including those that may be bound to
service for a term OF years, and excluding Indians
not taxed, three fris Of all other persons' The
phrase, "thrce ffths OF all other PERSONS" was
pcriphrasic description OF the slave population and
gave representation for three ffths of their num-
ber By the abolition OF slavery this population is
added to the .'numbcr of free persons" and thus
increases the basis of representation by the addi-
ton of twO>fiths.
The inequality produced between the sevcral
States by this form of representation, is too palpa
Die to require argument. BY its operation, eight
million Of white people in the Southern States,
hold, and exercise political power, full! sixty per
cent. greater than equal number of white people
il the Northern States. by reason OF having in
their midst four and falf millions of negroes.
This provision was the chief compromise which
our fathers made with the institutions Of slavery,
and although through of its great injustice,
it has been impaiiently acquiesced in BY the
Northern people, yet it has been carried out in
good faith but now that slavery, the foundation
Of this compromise, has passed away the provision
should be SO changed "a to suit the altered condi
ton Of the country and do justice to every par: OF
the nation. If it were so amended as to apportion
representation and political power among the sew
era States according to the actual number Of male
voters over the age OF twenty one years, il would
be equally fair for all, and would put il out Of the
power of the people OF ans State, or class Of States
m 10 fhar nv flc
presence in their midst Of a population which they
themselves deprive OF al political rights; and thus
inducements would be presented to the several
States, in order to enlarge their power in the Gov
crnment 10 confer political rights upon every class
Of persons without regard TO color or nationality.
as rapidly as might be deemed consistent with
their true interests.
By the census oflS60, the fifteen slave States
were allowed "a members ofCongress, because of
the representation o. three iths of their slaves,
and now that the slaves are made free, and the
other two fifhs added TO their basis of representa-
ton, they would be entitled to fourteen members
more, although perhaps in point Of law this in
! crease caLnot.takc place anterior to the year.
1870. IL the negro population was equally diffus-
ed throughout all the Staits. this inequality would
not exist but the fact is. it is not al diiused, and
the probability is that the coucentra.ivn IN the
) uthern States will become greater from year to
year by the emigration thithcr of the coored pop.
unton of the North. According to the census Of
1865, the Southern States upon irhife basis would
have been eIfited to sixty six members of Con-
sress, instead Of eighty four according to the exis
ting basis.
Whatever opposition there may be to the adop.
| ton of this proposed amendment, it amounts,
when stripped of its covering and sophistries smp
ly to this: that the white people Of the South shall
continue to exercise in the future, as in the pa: t.,
sixty per cent. more OF political power than an
equal number of white people in the North, and
for this great inequality and injustice am wholly
unable 10 perceive any good or sufficient reason.
Should such an amendment be passed by the
requisite majoriies through the Congress OF the
United States, before your fpal adjournment, l
would most resps ctfully, but earnestly, recommend
its immediate ratification on your part.
In conclusion upon this subject, am not of the
opinion that the herculean work of reconstruction
will be accomplished 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 resume its practical relations
in the Union. The conditions which have been
imposed upon these States by the President, are
not only reasonable and legitimate, but are dicta
ted by justice and wise foresight for the future Of
the Republic, and although they may not be ac
cepted this year, or even the next, yet that they
ultimately will be | have no doubt. And if the
work Of reorganization shall be successfully com
pleted within the same period which was required
to put down the rebellion, it will be within the
limit Of my expectations.
CONCLUSION.
The war has established upon imperishablc
foundations, the great fundamental truth of the
unity and indivisibility Of the nation. We are
many States. but one people, having one undivided
sovereignty, one flag. and one common destiny
1t has also established, to be confessed by all the
world, the exalted character of the American SOL
der, his matchless valor, his self sacrificing pat
riotism, his capacity to endure fatigues and hard
ships, and his humanity, which in the midst Of car
mage has wreathed his victorious achievements
with brighter glory.
He has taught the world lesson before which
it stands in arfazcment, how, when the storm Of
battle had passed. he could lay aside his arms. put
off the habi ments of war, and return with cheer
fitness to the gentle pursuits OF peace, and show
how the bravcst Of soldiers could become the best
of citizens. rtf
To the Army and Navy, under the favor OF
Providence. we owe the preservation Of our coun-
try, and the fact that we have to-day place, and
the proudest place, among the nations.
Let it not be said Of US, as it was in olden time,
that Republics are ungrateful." Let US honor
the dead, cherish the living, and preserve in i'm
mortal memory the deeds and vrtu es of all, as an
inspiration for countless generations to come.
s.rh uaGi OLIVER P. MORTON.
administrators Sale.
| NOTICE is hereby given that the undersigned, Ad-