Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-04-27
Additional Extracts.

80
Additional Extracts
PROPOSES TO AxEsD THE coSsTuUTIos so As TO
pnEsrpExr
On the 18th Of December, 1860. Mr. johnson
presented a joint resolution proposing to amend
the constitution. IL provided, among other
things that in all future elections the states be-
ing divided into as many election districts as the
state lie entitled 10 electoral votes. and that the
voters therein shall vote directly for president
and vice president, the majority in each district
counting as one vote, etc. and concludes With
this proviso:
Provided, That the president to be elected in
the year 1864, shall be chosen from zone Of the
sIavehoiding states, and the vice president from
one Of the non -slaveholding states; and in the
year 1868, the president shall be chosen from one
Of the non -slaveholdng states and so alternating
the president ard vice president every four years
between the slsveholdpg and BON slaveholding
states during the continuance Of the govern
ment.
PROPOSES TO GIVE ADDITIONAL GUARANTEES TO
SLAVERY.
On the same day Mr.. johnson submitted
proposition 20 raise a select committee OF ulir
teen TO inquire into the e1pediencY OF establish
ing by constitutional provision
LIST. a line running through the territory o!
the United States not included within the states
making an equitable aud just division Of said
territory, south OF which line slavery shall be
ognized and protected as property, by ample
and full constitutional guarantee and north OF
which line il shall be prohibited
ID The repeal of all acts Of congress in re
gard 10 the restoration OF fugitives from labor,
and an explicit declaration IN the constitution.
that il Is the duty of each state for itself to re
turn fugitive slaves when demanded by the prop
er authority, or pay double their cash value out
Of the treasury of the state.
80. An amendment Of the constitution de-
clsring that slavery shall exist IN navy yards.
assenas, etc, or not, As Il may be admitted or
prohibited BY the states in which such navy
yards, arsenals. etc. NAV be situated.
ith. Congress shall never interfere With sla-
very in the District Of Columbia so long as it
shall cxis; in the State OF Maryland, nor even
then, without the consent Of the inhabitants and
compen sation 20 the owners
5th. Congress sllall not touch he representa-
tjpn ofthree-ffths ofthe slave nor the inter state
trade.coast wise or inland
9Th. These provisions 10 be unsmendable. Ike
that which relates 20 The equality OF the states
in the senate.
ADHESION I'd THE CONSTITUTION NECESSARY To FRy
SERVE THE UNION.
On the 18th Of December. 1860. Mr. Josrsor
in addressing the senate in favor OF his amend
ment 10 the constitution, said:
"Itis not my purpose. sir, 70 discuss these
propositions 10 amend the constitution, in detail
to-day. and shall say but little more in refer
ence TO them and TO their practical operation
but, as we are now, as il were, involved in revo
luton (for there is n revolutions. in fact, upon
the country) ! think i. behooyes every man, and
especially, every one occupying public place
to indicate. in some manner. his opinions and
sentiments in reference to the questions that agl
tate and distract the public mind | shall be
frank this occasion in giving my views and
taking my positions, as have always been on
questions that involve the public interest. be
heve Il is the imperative duty of congress 10
make some effort TO save the country from i'm
pending dissolution; and he that 10 unwilling TO
make an effort TO preserve the union or, in other
words TO preserve the constitution. and the union
an incident resulting from the preservation OF
the constitution think is unworthy OF public
confdence. and the respect add coafdence of the
American people. | say it devolves upon every
one who can contribute in the slightest degree to
this result to come forward and make some eff
fort, reasonable in its character, 10 preserve the
union Of these states by a preservation of the
constitution"
TENNESSEE TO BIZ BREAKHATER BETWEEN TnE
NORTH AND SOUTH.
Notwithstanding we (sludne 10 the people
OF Tennessee) want TO occupy the position of a
breakwater between the northern and southern
extremes, and bring all together if We can, | tell
our northern friends that the constitutional guar
antees must be carried out; for the time may
come when, after We have exhausted all honora-
bic and fair means, il this government still fails
10 execute the laws. aud protect us in our rights
it will be at an end. Gentlemen OF the north
u - =. ~
but We intend 10 act liz the union ard under the
constitution, and not out Of il We do not in
tend that you shall drive out Of this house that
was reared by the hands OF our fathers. It i
our house. Ii il the constitutional house. We
have q right here; and because you come for
ward and violate the ordinances of the house, we
intend to eject you from the building and retain
the possession ourselves. We want, If We can.
to stay the heated, and am compelled to say.
according 70 nv judgment. the rash and precip-
tate action of some Of our southern friends, that
indicates red hot madness.
II want TO say 10 those in the north, comply
with the constitution and preserve It's guarantees,
and in doing 20 save this glorious union and all
that pertains TO IT, intend TO stand BY the cor
stituton az il IS. insisting upon 4 compliance with
all its guarantees. inteld 10 stand by il as the
sheet anchor Of the government: and trust and
hope. though il seems TO be now in the very vor-
TEX VI rum tuoUEu II rCetuc " uC ENLAAAA DC
tween Chsry bdis and Scylla. the rock on the
hand and the whirlpool on the other. that il will
be preserved, aud that IL will remain a beacon TO
guide and an example be initiated by al the
nations of the earth lss intend 10 hold on
10 IL as The chief ark OF our safety as the palla
dunn of our civil and our religious liberty / IN.
tend 70 cling 10 il as the shipNrecked mariner
clings to the last plsnk, when the night and the
tempest close arOGud him. IL i the last hope OF
human freedom Although denounced as an e1-
pertinent by some W no want TO see constitution
al monarchy IL has been a successful experiment
] trust and hope that Il may be continued; that
this great work may So on.
rHE POSITION OF TESNLssEE-IHE SOUTH MIST BIZ
KIGHTEp.
"lf there are grievances. Why cannot We all
20 together, and write them down. and point
them out to our northern friends after we have
agreed on what those grievances were. and say,
Here Is what demand: here our wrongs
enumerated; upon theSe terms We have agreed;
and now. after We have given you a reasonable
time TO consider these sddltloBsi guarantees IN
order 10 protect ourselves against these wrongs.
II you refuse them. then. having made en- hon
orable effort. having exhausted all other means,
we may declare the association 20 be broken up
and We may 20 into all act OF revolution We
can then say 10 them. Y on have refused 70 give
Us guarantees that We think needed for the
protection of our institutions and for the pro
lection CT our other interests When they DO