The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-10-02
The Proposed Constitutional Amend
ment

The radical text book asserts that since
the late Maine election, it is very widely dis
covered that the Amendment is not very bad
after all. The Herald at once wore ship and
advised the South to accept it, assuring her
that delays were dangerous, and that if she
refused this, she would certainly do worse.
And now leading Southern journals are re-
viewing the amendment, and finding it not
half 50 bad as they formerly represented it.
As to the Herald wearing ship, that was to
be expected upon even a temporary change
of the wind. The blast from Maine it thought
was rather too heavy an indication of pro-
longed and disastrous gale.
And So, instead Of lying to aud waiting to
ascertain whether indeed "the face Of the skv
was really fred and lowering" it determined
to up helm and scud. 1t turns out, however,
i, that there is really no gale, and that the ina
gined blast from Maine has been merely
puff
But what are the names ofthese leading South
ern journals which are reviewing the amend
ment and finding it not half 80 bad as they for
merly represented it9 apprehend that this
assertion is upon par with those false enes,
which have been circulated to the injury of
the South, that "loyal whites" were persecu-
ted and driven from their homes.
We all remember the sentiments Ex-senator
Doolitte in alludiug to the amendment In his
speeches delivered to popular assemblages af-
ter the adjournment of Congress- He then
expressed tho opinion that the South could
not be expected SO to degrade herself as to
vote for the adoption of this amendment In
order to familiarize our readers with what is
demanded of the South, with no assurance
whatever, of reacquiring her just representa-
ton in Congress, which is separate and dis
tinct question not dependent at all upon our
acceptance or rejection Of the amendment, we
publish the famous document which they may
ponder at their leisure. It awaits ratification
by the States and reads as follows -
AS long as the honor, and honesty and
manliness of the South remain, we will have
none Of this Constitutional amendment.
Joint Resolution prop osing an amendment to
the Constitution of the United States.
Be it enacted, by the Senate and House of
Representatives OF the United States of
America in Congress assembled (two-tbirds
of both Houses concurring), That the follow
ing article be proposed to the Legislatures of
the several States as an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, which
when ratified by three fourths of said Leeis
laturss, shall be valid as part of the Constitu-
ton, namely:
Article XIV--Secton /. All persons
born or naturalzed in the United States and
subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citizens
OF the United States and of the States where
in they reside. No State shall make or en-
force any law which shall cbridge the privi-
leges or immunities Of citizens of the United
States; nor shall any State deprive any per-
son OF life, liberty or property, without dine
process OF law, nor deny to any person within
its jurisdiction the equal protection of the
laws.
Sec, 2. Representatives shall be appor-
toned among the several States according to
their respective numbers, counting the whole
nulaber OF persons in each State, excluding
Indians not taxed But when the right to
vote at any election for the choice of Elec-
tors for President and Vice-President of the
United States, Representatives in Congress,
the executive and judicial officers of a State,
or the members of the Legislature thereof, is
denied to any of the male inhabitants of such
State, being twenty-one years of age and cit-
zens of the United States, or in any way
abridged. except for participation in rebellion
or other crime, the basis of representation
therein shall be reduced in proportion which