The Shasta courier., 1866-06-30
Constitutional Amendments.

The proposed amendments to the Constr
triton have passed both Houses of Congress,
and 90 has a resolution directing the Presi.
dent of the United States to transmit copy
of the amendments to the Governors of the
different States, to be by them submitted to
the Legislatures for ratification.
That the great loyal heart and brain OF the
nation heartily endorse this action of Con
gress there can be no question. 1t is just
such action as could emanate from none but
wise, brave and patriotic body, honestly
representing the people. 1t is what the Ma
tion needed in the emergency, and cannot
be too soon ratified by the requisite majority
of States, and made part of our Constitu-
tion. If it is wise to do it, it is more wise to
do it quickly, for when it is done all issues
that are now disturbing the country Will be
quieted.
Taking this view of the case, we are decl-
dedly in favor of the subject matter being
presented to the Legislatures of every State
at the earliest possible moment; and that,
too, regardless of any expense that may be
incurred by reason of calling extra sessions
in any or all the States. The paltry sum
necessarily expended in calling together a
Legislature to act upon this vital measure.
should not, in our opinion, be considered for
q moment. In short, the money in it is too
trifling to even think about in considering the
great good to be derived from prompt action
in the premises. These amendments once
incorporated in the organic law of the nation
and the question of reconstruction is solved
In so doing the voice of the people is heard,
and the tongues of noisy rebel-Johnson
Democrats hushed; the disturbing element
will be silenced, for there will then be no
thing under the Constitution for them to
" holler" for. There Will then no longer be
a place at the public crib to which that ele-
ment is eligible, and hence it will die out for
want of stimulus, and the claws of the Dem
ocracy thereby be mos. etfectually extracted,
and where now the scratch of the Demo-
cratic paw is painful and most annoying, it
will henceforth be as velvet to the touch, and
NAV be squeezed or fondled without danger.
If for no other reason than that the nation
express its opinion of those lately in rebellion
and declare the status of the leaders, these
amendments should be Immediately ratified.
By all means let it be done, and at once
The proud position California would attain
by being the first of the States to cast its
vote, would be a greater satisfaction to its
Union citizens than would be ten times the
money it would cost to procure the honor.
And again, if we must talk of the cost, and
reduce patriotic action to dollars and cents
and talk from that base, let us see what il
would amount to: A session called for the
specific object of ratifying the act of Congress
need not necessarily occupy more than three
days. time; but say six are consumed, and
the expense will not exceed twenty five thou
sand dollars Double that amount, and what
paltrv sum it is to consider in connection
with the good to be attained, and the honor
and prestige that inures to the State in being
first in the great work of reconstruction, as
she has been in loyalty
If there were doubts as to the propriety OF
endorsing these acts of Congress, then we
with others would say, let US wait ard be
sure of our policy but there being none
the heart and soul of every lover of his coun-
try being determined upon ratifying its acts
sooner or later-we say let it be done at
once; let our minds be at ease in the con-
sciousness of having done our whole duty,
and that promptly. When the National ship
has thus been fairly reaunched, and has
attained the open sea, then will be time
enough to talk about the dollars and cents il
has cost to make her seaworthy. Let the
Legislature be called for an extra session
let the Governor, in calling it, recommend
that no other business be transacted let the
loyal press Of the State sustain such recon
mendation, and our word for it, no act of any
predecessor of Governor Low, or Of any pre-
ceding Legislature, has or ever will meet an
approval as hearty, from all whose approval
is worth having, as will the one in ques-
ton.