Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-02-28

in a condition OF freedom itey are se.fsus-
tanning and capable of selecting their own
employment and their own places of abode
cf'in>isiing for themselves proper remu-
neraiion, and OF establishing and maintain
ing their own asylumns and schools. Ii is
earnestly hoped that instead o. wasting away
they will, by their own efforts, establish
for themselves a condition Of responsibility
and prosperity. II is certain that they can
attain 10 that codiiion only through their
own merits and exeriions. In this connec-
lion the query presents itself whether the
system proposed by the bill will not, wien
put in:o complete operation, practically
transfer The entire care, support and control
of four millions of emancipaled slaves 10
aseLis oTorseeEs or taskmssteTs, who, bP-
pointed at Washington, are 10 be located IN
every county and parish throughout the
Uuiied States containing freedmen and ref
ugees. Such a sys.em wodld inevitably
tend 10 such concentration OF power in
The Executive which would enable him, IL
so disposed, 10 control the action OF nu
nerous class and use them for the attain.
menl OF his own political ends.
canot but add another very grave otjec-
iion TO this bill The constitution imperiive-
ly declares in connection with taxation thar
each stale shall have al least one Represen-
la;ive, and fixes The role for the number TO
titled. II also provides that tbs Senate Of
the United States shall be composed OF TWO
Senators frome each State, and adds with
peculiar force that no State without lis con-
sent shal be deprived Of lis equal suffrage
in the Seuale. The original act was neces.
saTny passed IN Ine ABSENCE OF TIE o'aies
chiefly 10 be affected, because their people
were then con,umaciously engaged in the
rebellion. Now The case is changed, and
some al least OF The States are attending
Congress by loyal representatives., solicit
ing The allowance OF the constitutional right
OF representation. At The time, however,
Of The consideration and The passage Of the
bill there was no Senator or Representative
in Congress from The eleven States which
are to be mainly affected by the provisions.
The very fact that reports were and are
made against the good disposition OF the
country is an additional reason why they
need and should have representatives OF
their own in Congress 10 explain their con-
diion, reply 20 accusations and assist By
their local know ledge in the perfecting of
measures inm ediaiely affecting themselves
while :he liberty Of deIiberalion would then
be free, and Congress would then have full
power 10 decide according TO IFS judgment
There could be no objection urged that The
States mos: j. rested had not been permit
ted TO be heard The principle is firmly
fixed in the minds OF the American people
that there should 5e no taxation without
representation. Great Burdens are now TO
be borne be all the country, and we may
best demand that they shall be borne with
out murmur when they are voted by ma
ioriiy of the Representatives of all he peo
pie would not interfere with The unques-
tionabe right of Congress 20 ied.e, each
House for Itself, o. the elections, returns and
qualifications of its own members. But
that authority cannot be construed as incln-
ding The rgh: TO shut out in time of peace
any Safe from the representation to which
il is entitled by the Constitution. AT pres
ent al! The people OF eleven Safes are ex-
cuded Those who were most failhiul do.
ring The war notless than others. The Sta g
OF Tennessee, for instance, whose aUthori-
lies engaged in rebellion, was restored TO all
her constitutional relations 10 The Union By
lbe patriotism and energy OF her injured and
betrayed people. Before The war was
brought to termination they had placed
themselves in relation with the General
eminent OF their own, and, as ihey were not
included in the emancipation proclamation,
they, by their own act, had amended their
Constitution so as 20 abolish slavery within
the limits or their State. know 10 reason
why The Stale of Tennessee, ior example,
shoald no, fully erioy all her constitutional
relations 10 the United States.
The President of the United Slaies stands
towards The country in a somewhat differecI
attitude from that of any member of Con-
gress, chosen from a single district or Sta'e.
The President is chosen by the people OF all
The States. Eleven States are not, at this
time, represented in either branch of Con-
sress. Il would seem to be his duty on all
proper occasions TO present their jnst Claims
TO Congress. There always will be d.iet-
ences of opinion in The community, and in
diviGuals may be guilty OF itansgre ssions OF
The law. But these do not constitute valid
objections against The right OF Stale 10 rep
resenia;ion. Ii would in no wise interfere
with The discretion OF Congress with regard
to the qualification OF mem bers; but hold
leIests of peace, aud in the interests of The
Union, The admission OF every Slate 10 ii.