Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1865-12-13

Good FeeIing-Sufrage Question in
In District OF COIumbia-Ohio Del
egatiOn and the Presiaent-RebeIs
and zCOpperheads- Disappointed
Amendment TO the Combination
Hon. John II. Bingham.
Especial Correspondence of the Cleveland LEADER.
WAsHISGToN, Dec. 6, 1865.
The business of Congress has now fairly
commenced, and all the indications are
that we shall have avery harmonious ses-
sion. There is harmony and good feeling
among the Union members, and an earnest
desire to so shape their legislation as to
promote the highest interests and we'll.
being of the nation. The opposition,
headed by Brooks, of New York, is hardly
respectable, in point of numbers at least,
and will SO continue if the Union mem
bers act in concert and harmony upon
those important questions which involve
the interests of the States lately in rebel
lion.
The indications now are that none of
the Southern members claiming seats will
be admitted until the constitutions of their
several States are materially changed in.
regard to the question of suffrage. This
District is to be the starting point. Mea-
sures have already been introduced into
both Houses giving colored people the
right to vote, and these will be carried
through beyond all question. The city
IT, paap4 = ~ ,,raaapN Y.n1nr H..
control of a class of men who
hate the colOred people, and who would
enslave them Tomorrow if they had
the power, and the majority of whom
are far below those whom they so devoutly
despise, in point of intelligence, morality
and good conduct. Give the negro the
right to vote here, and the result would be
that we should have a more loyal, more
honest and intelligent class of men to con-
duct the municipal affairs of the metro
polls of the nation han we now have.
A portion of our delegation waited up
on the President a day or two since, and
had a very satisfactory interview with
him The question in regard to extending
the elective franchise TO colored people,
came up during the conversation, and the
President frankly avowed his sentiments.
He was anxious for their education and
elevation, and would have laws so framed
as to give all, without distinction, the
right to vote who were sufficiently intelli-
gent.
There will in my opinion be no quarrel
between the Executive and Congress on
the question of suffrage or restoration of
the rebellious States. Rebels and Copper
heads will be sadly disappointed with the
manner in which these hitherto Yexed
questions will be settled.
Our own eloquent and accomplished
statesman, Hon. John A. Bingham, has
introduced important amendments to the
Constitution. They are of vital interest
to the welfare of the nation, and will no
doubt be adopted. They were read and
referred TO the Committee on theJ judiciary,
of which Mr.. Bingham was chairman in
the Congress before the last. They are as
follows:
ResoLoea, By the Senate and House of
Representatives of the United States in
Congress assembled, t%wo-thirds of both
Houses concurring, that the following
articles be proposed to the Legislatures of
the several States, as amendments to the
constitution of the United States, all or
n of which articles, when ratified by
three-fourths of said Legislatures, shall be
valid to all intents and purposes as part of
the said constitution, viz;
The fifth paragraph OF the ninth section
and first article Of the constitution, &c wit:
NO tax or duty shall be laid on articles
exported from any State is hereby struck
out of the constitution of the United States
and declared of no effect.
No part of any debt or debts contracted
in aid of the late rebellion, or which may
he hereafter contracted in aid of any re-
beillon against the United States shall
even be assumed or paid by the United
States, nor shall any State assume or pay
any part thereof or levy or collect anytax
for that purpose.
The Congress shall have power to make
all lsu'e Hooes=ary and proper TO protect
all persons without distinction in every
State of the Union in the enjoyment Of
life, liberty and property.
At this particular crisis OF the nation
these provisions, which will have such an
important bearing upon the revenues OF
the nation, the rebel debt, and the rights
of citizens in all the States of the Union,
are e%minently desired as constitutional
provisions.
We are confident that Mr.. Bingham
will press them to a successful issue.
FRANKLIN.