New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-02-08

shape or IN other. He did think the Commit
tee OF fifteen was subject to anmadverslon Tor taxing
upon itself what does not belong to IL. Something has
been said with reference TO the disposition to amend
the Constitution and the forbearance of Congress has
been invoked with regard to that memorable and great
instrument. j believe said Mr.. FEssENDEy, that
have much veneration for the Constitution most
men and AZ high opinion Of It, But have no better
opinion of it than those who made it, and it did
not seem to them that it perfect
that no amendment whatever could be made
that would be in the language OF the Senator from
Massachusetts an improvement. Why. SIR they pro-
yded themselves, in the original instrument for its
amendment They in the very earliest day OF our bis
tory amended it themselves they found defects in this
great work of tEcir hands, and they provided means for
the amendment Of instrument which ought to he
perfect ard which is as perfect as human hands can
make anything might say that II is barely possible
that in the advance Of tine circumstances may arise
that will render it necessary and have rendered IL
necessary to revise the instrument and to accommodate
its powers 10 the developments which time has made
such is eminently the condition OF things now: we
have had great war; that war has resulted IN the
overthrow institution in the Statesone which had
h. blight and to this nation from It's very
foundation. The contest in which have been en-
gagged has put end To that There provisions IN
the Constitution having special reference TO the exist
ence of Sayery-mOre especially that provision under
consideration mat IN reference TO representa-
ton was made expressly because in some Of
the States there were large nImbers OF negroes not
recOcni ed as freedmen but held as DondsmeD, not
responsible for their acts. Considered with refer
cnce to tie political condition Of the country under
these circumstances the provision OF the Constitution
gree impcratiye and may well be subject 10 revision
II nav he answered that tho Constitution in this par
cnlar Of itself, and there is no difficulty
about the Constitution already providing that repre-
sentation shall be founded upon population, including
all persons with one exception. 1t may be said that
when the negroes became free they OF necessity were
included among the whole number to be counted, and
the provision with regard 10 representation became APP
plicable 10 all And II is simple matter TO say that
now there classes OF persons in the country who
within the description referred to. aud That all
stand alike upon the same basis. and representation IS
founded on population. II 30 happens that we can't
nut out OF sight thing which has gone
with rs from the foundation OF the Govern.
ment TO the present day-that Slavery has existed
and that II has been abolished. might say within one
or two months that there are left IN tie former Slave
States of the Union. large number Of persons ignorant
and uneducated, who up to recent period hive been
held in bondage and considered by the Constitution
itself unt 10 be considered part Of the people Of the
United States: and that now at the present moment
not only haze they been made free but made ree against
the vii. Of the population where they were heh as
slaves, adding to the TACT Oh ther own .onuOn we
anger Of those who have been compelled 10 SUBMIT 10
their freedom, natural desire that the old master mas
20 retain power and natural Discrimination to see MS
former slaves placed on level with himself All TINS
ia nerfeetly oby ions for know that those who once
power do not yield 1t willingly Men arc not
made Of such stuff that they can give up the enjoyment
of privilege without a sigh or struggle What theh
have we night 10 suppose VIII De the resuIt
OF leaving the Constitutional provision where u is
Simply this That, so far as power exists IN THESE
States IL woud still be exercised so as to deny all po
zeal right 10 those who have heretofore been consid
cred unfit exercise II. Tie result OF that Is the con
nuance Of precisely the same rule and the fostering OF
A feel ny which the honorable Senator from Massachu-
sets las veil characterized as contrary 10 the ounda-
ton principles Of republican Government. 40 qIes,
on that such would be the result, and we should ind
all the people represented but portion only exercising
potical rights Such has been the case and we have
right to suppose will continue to be the case Then
the question arises whether II is not DUTY to guard
in some way against ti Whether it is not the duty OF
Congress and the people 70 establish lot only that all
men have rights that belong to them, but that the
h.. MI f.h lplC M
end in tyranny oligarcby have tendency % make
an oigarchy in timer Why not propose
simple amendment precisely in the terms that the
honorable Senator from Missouri proposes 10 strike al
the root of the matter and DO with all distinction
on account OF color or race, in all tie states OF the
Union far regards civil and political rights and
mmuriiies am free 10 confess that IN legisatlng on
this subject although can see difficulties that would
arise from il. yet trusting that the time will soften
them, and being desirons u can 70 PAT ITO tne Con
hghtened man, would prefer something OF that Kind
at proposition that would prevent any dstinc'
ton in civil political rights account OF color or
race in the Constitution or laws OF any State. There
are not many Senators within the sound of my voice
who woud not prefer IT. yet the Committee did not re-
commend such provision, and stand here to approve
what the Committee did and not 10 offer my peculiar
views to reply 10 proposition like that OF the Sen
ator from Missouri. What would be Its immediate
operations IL would place the Southern States
in this condition: They must either limit too
far for the suffrage. thew must extend
IL 100 far for their safety at any rate for what
might be presumed TO be their good. The Senator
from Massachusetts even. would hardly contend that
at this time the OF the population OF the recent
Slave States lit 10 be admitted TO the exercise OF the
right OF suffrage. presume man who looks at the
question dspassiOnately and calmly would contend
that those recently sayes-the great mass of whom
have been kept in Ignorance all their ives ana forbid
den 20 acquire nformaton-are fit 10 exercise the
right of suffrage. II we passed resolution of that
Kind the result would be that the Slave states must
either admit all or else they must make rule OF ex
clGson that would cut off not only all the colored
population but very large portion OF their own white
population from the exercise of tho right OF suffrage
has been characteristic OF those States that they have
been quite unwilling 70 extend the benefit of educa
ton whites 10 blacks. The result oi such propo
son as have mentioned would then be to place power
In the hands of few The whole civil and political power
OF these States would be exercised by very small
number and. FOR time 1t would create an oigarchy-
the power OF few. speak of this, not US an argu
mcnt If could accomplish IT, that would prevent me
from patng into the Constitution provision like that
of the Senator from Massachusetts, because would
trust 10 time. which would have us effect. Alter
while good result would be attained and we should
have in the Constitution what should like to see there
However this may he. am not convinced that suffrage
such natural right that it must be conferred upon any
freeman. voter is an ohiceholder; lie Is as much too
much so and in the same degree and as much so IN
substance man who enters jury box IL trust
reposed in him by law which he executes under the
law and although / hold that the right OF suffrage
should be extended just fast and just so far as the
public good will allow. do not hold that any man Is in
inred when just and reasonable law provides that
Something more is necessary from him than bare cx
istencc in order TO give him the right TO vote. The
argument Of the Senator from Massachusetts would
amply in favor OF women just much it applies 10
those 10 whom he specially refers. Mr.. Fessenden
then stated the objections which the Committee saw to
the proposition aboishing distinction account OF
color and the reasons which urged 1t 10 recommend
the pending measure. The Committee believed that
proposition like that of the Senator from Massaohu
sets could not get the requisite number OF States,
and there could be no hope of its adoption. |
The State OF Connecticut had refused to adopt similar
proposition in her own State. The State Of Wisconsin
had done the same. All the Western States seemed 20
| be opposed to 1t. New.York made distinction on ac,
count OF color aud would adhere to IT, There were te