Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-03-07

and lae preservation of the government in
its original purity Of character, let II be shed;
but when it is shed, let an altar 10 the On-
ion be erected. and then, il necessary, take
me and lay me upon it, and the blood that
now warns and animaies my existence
shall be poured out as fiji ibation TO the
union of these States. But let the oppo-
nenis of this government remember that
when il is poured out, the blood of the mar
| lyrs will be The seed of the. church.
Gentlemen, this Union will grow. 1t will
continue TO increase in strength and power,
though it may be cemented and cleansed
with blood have talked now longer than
intended. Let me thank you for the hon.
or YOU have done me. So far as this gov
eminent is concerned, let me say one other
YorI in reference 10 the amendments 10 the
Constitution OF the United States.
When reached Washington for the pur-
pose Of being inaugnraled as Vice Presl'
dent of the United States, had convef-
sation with Mr. Lincoln. We were taking
about The condiion OF affairs, and 10 refer
ence 10 matters in my own State said
that we had called convention, and amend
ed our constitution BY abolis hing slavery in
The Slate-a State not embraced in his proc
lamaiion. All this met his appreciation, and
gave him encouragement, and in talking
upon The amendment 10 the Constitution,
he said ''When the amendment 10 the
! Constitution is adopted by three e-Iourlhs OF
the States we shall have all, or pretty near
Is all. am in favor of at least one olhe.
amendment being adopted" Said ], "What
is that, MIR. PresidenLw Said be, 81 have
labored TO preserve this Union. have
toiled four years. have been subjected TO
calumny and misrepresentation. Yet my
great desire has been TO preserve the Union
of ihe States intact under the Constitution
as they were before" "But," said |, "Mr.
President, what amendment Go you refer
10 !' He said she thought there shoultbe
an amendment added 10 10 the Constitution
which would compel all the States 10 send
their Senators aud Representatives TO the
Congress Of The United States" Yes, COM
pei them. The idea was in his mind that
il is a pan of the doctrine of secession 10
break up The government by States with
drawing their Senators from Congress, and,
! therefore he desired a constitutional amend
men: 10 compel them 10 be sent
/ How now does the matter stand for the
| Constitution OF the country Even that
/ portion oil il which provides for the amend
I ment 10 the organic law says that no State
( without its consent shall be deprived of it's
representation in the Senate. And now
what do we find ? We find the position Ia
I ken that the States shall not be represented,
! that we may impose taxes, that we may
send our tax collectors 10 every region and
I portion OF Stale, that the people are to be
oppressed with taxes; but when they come
here 10 participate in the Legislation of The
country they are met al the door and told
no you must pay your taxes, but you must
not participate in The legislation of the
country WHICH is 10 affect you for all time.
Let Us admit into The. councils OF the na-
ton hose who are unmislakably and un
. quesIionably loyaI-tbcse men who ac-
! knowledge their allegiance 10 The govern.
! rent, and mean TO support the Constitution.
! It is all embraced in that. The amplfica-
( tion Of an oath makes no difference if
man is not loyal. But you choose 10 prove
! their loyalty.
That is matter of detail for which care
no.hing. Let them be unquestionably loyal
| in their allegiance TO the government, and
willing 10 support it in lis hour Of peril and
of need, and am willing TO trust them.
/ know that some do not attach so much i'm
| pouance 10 these principles as | do but one
! principle We carried through the revolution
! was that there should be no taxation with
! out representation, hold TO that principle
! laid down as fundamental by our fathers.
If ii was good then, il is good now. If
| il was a rule TO stand by then il is a rule 10
stand by now. Il is fundamental princi.
( pie that should be adhered 10 as long as
Tree government lass.
know il was said by some during the
rebellion that our Constitution had been
| rolled up as piece of parchment and laid
away, and that in time of war and rebellion
/ there was no Constitution. Well, we know
that sometimes, from The very great neces-
! siiy of The case, from great emergencF,
we must do unconstitutional lhibgs in order
! 10 preserve The Constitution itself.
| But if while the rebellion was going on
/ the Constitution was rolled up as parch.
ment. if il was violated in some particulars
! to save the government, there may have
been some excuse to justify it but now
that peace has come, now the war is over,
we want q better Constitution land | say the
lime has come TO take the Constitution
down. 10 enroll it, re-read it, and 10 under
stand it's provisions Now if you saved The
! Government by violating the Constitution