Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1866-02-21


labor, be can move to another, where
labor is more esteemed and better re-
warded
( In truth. however, each State, induced
by its own wants and interests, will do
what is necessary and proper to retain
within it's borders all the labor that Is
needed for the development of it's re-
sources. The laws that regulate supply |
and demand will maintain their force,
and the wages of the laborer will be regu-
lated thereby. There is no danger that
the great demand for labor will not oper-
ate in favor of the laborer. Neither Is
q sufficient consideration given to the
ability of the freedmen to protect and |
take care of themselves. Il is no more |
Justice to them to believe that as they
have received their freedom with modera-
ton and forbearance, they will distin- |
guish themselves by their industry; and
they feel, and soon show the world, thai
they are selfsustaining and capable OF
selecting their own employment, and
their own places of abode, OF insisting
for themselves a proper remuneration,
and of establishing and maintaining
their own asy lums and schools.
1t is earnestly hoped that instead of
wasting away they will By their efforts
establish for themselves condi-
ton of responsibility and prosperity. 1t
is certain they can attain to that con-
dition only through their own merits
and exertions. a# t.-a
In this connection the query presents
itself whether the system proposed by
the bill will not, when put into complete
operation, practically transfer the entire
care and support of four millions eman-
cipated slaves to agents, overseersS or
taskmasters, who are appointed.at Wash
ingtoD, and are to be located in every
couoty aud parish Throughout the
United States containing freedmen or
refugees. Such a system will eventual
ly tend to such concentration of power
in the Executive, which would enable
it, il disposed, to control the action OF
numerous class, and use it for the at
tainment Of political ends.
can not but add another grave OBJ
lection to this bill the Constitution i'm
peratively declares, in connection with
taxation, that each State shall have at
least one Representative, and fixes the
rule for the number which in future
times each shall be entitled to- l. also
provides that the Senate of the United
States shall be composed of two Sena-
tors from each State, and adds, with Pc
culiar force, that no State shall be de-
prived of it's suffrage in the Senate. The
original act was necessarily passed in
the absence Of the States chiefly to be
benefited, because their people were
then contumaciously engaged in the re-
bellion. Now the, case is changed, and
some, at least, of the States are attend
ing Congress by loyal Representatives,
soliciting the allow nee of the cons u
tional right of representation.
At the time, however, of the consider
atioE and passage of the bill, there was
no Senator or Representative in Con-
gress from the eleven States which are
TO be mainly affected by its provisions.
The very facts 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, TO explain their
condition, especially to accusations, and
assist by their local knowlFdge in the per-
fecting of measures immediately affecting
themselves, while the liberty Of deliber-
ations would then be free, and Congress
would have full power to decide accor i
ing to its judgment.
There could be no objection urged
| that the States most interested were per-
mitted to be heard. The principle Is
firmly fixed in the minds of the Am eri-
can people, that there could be no taxa
ton without representation. Great
burtheTns are now to be born by all the
country, and we may best demand that
they shall be born without murmur when
they are voted by majority of the rep
representatives. of all the people. ! woulc
not interfere with the unquestionabls
right of Congress to judge, each House
for itself, of the elections, returns, and
qualifications of its own members, bn
that authority can not be construed ai
including the right TO put out, in time o
peace, any State from the representation
to which it ia entitled by the Constitu
, ton. ~
) At present all people of eleven States
/ are excluded, those who were most faith
full during the war, not less than Others
t The State of Tennessee, for instance
!. whose authorities engaged in the re
|
{ sional relations to the Union, by tn
b patriotism and energy of her impover
q ished and betrayed people. Before th
Z war was brought to termination, the
g had placed themselves in relations wit
d the General Government; had establish
# ed State Government of their own. A
e they were not included in the emane
!. patton proclamatioB, they have, by the
q own act, amended their Constitution 8
Y as to abolish slavery within the limits {
b their State.
know of no reason why the State (
9 Tennessee, for example, should not fol-
9 enjoy her Constitutional relations to tt
it United States. The President of d
v United States stands towards the co1l
i try in a somewhat different attitude fro
that of any member of Congress chest
ly.I for single District or State. The Pre-
D. ident is chosen by the people OF ali Il
nj States. Eleven States are not at th
% time represented in either branch
IN Congress. 1t would seem to be his dut
at on all proper occasions, to present the
r. claims to Congress. There always W
of be differences of opinion in the comm
Z nity, and individuals may be guilty
10 | tIalSRr6S6lO05 OL LuO law D0b bACoS
~ not constitute valid objections agar
or the right of q State TO representation.
All 1t would in nowise interfere with I
it. discretion of Congress with regard
is the qualifications of members, but
mt hold It my duty to recommend to you,
it. the interests of peace and interests
.at the Union, the admission of every 81
IN, to its share of public legislation. VIII
to however, subordin ate insurgents or
Of belIious its people may have been,
he represents himself not only in an a
ob- tude of loyalty and harmony, but in
sly person of representative, where loya
ON cannot be questioned under the exist
md constitutional legaltest.
a IL is plain that an indefinite or peri
sst- nent exclusion of any part Of the co
he try from representation must be atte
md ed by spirit of disquiet and compiai
1t is unwise aud dangerous to pursu
be course or measure which will unite
ted large section of the country agai
the another section of the country, no n
ers ter how much the latter may be pred'
and ;nato The cOursa of infmioratiOn