Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-02-02

amendments to the constitution. 0ne great
amendment has already been made, By which
slavery had forever been abolished within the
limits Of the United States and a national guar
aztec thus given that that institution should
never again exist in the land. Propositions 20
amend that constitution were becoming as nu-
mer1us as prelmb.cs aud resolutions al town
meetings. called e. consider the most ordinary
questions connected with the administration Of
local aiiairs. Al this, in his opinion, had 6
tendency TO diminish the dignity and prestige
attached TO the constitution of the country. and
10 lessen the respect and confidence ofthe people
in their great charter o! freedom. Ii, however,
amendments are 10 be made to the constitution,
changing the basis Of representation and taxa
ton land be did not deem them at all necessary
at the present time), ne knew Of none better
than q simple proposition, embraced in few
lines, making in each State the number Of qua
LIED voters the basis of representation, and the
value Of property the basis Of direct taxation.
Such proposition could be embraced in the
following terms -
Representatives shall be apporuonei among
the several States which may be included with
in the Union according to tie number Of quail
fed voters in each State.
Direct taxes shall be app5rtionei anoug the
several States which may be included within
this Union according 10 the value Of all taxable
property in each State.
An amendment Of this kind would. in his
opinion, place the basis Of representation and
direct taxation upon correct principles The
qualified voters were, for the most part, men
who were subject TO draft and enlistment when
it was necessary TO repel invasion, suppress
rebellion and quell domestic violence and iusur-
rection. They risk their lives, shed their blood
and peril their all to uphold the government,
and give protection security and value to pro
perry. II seemed but Just that property should
compensate for the benefits thus conferred by
d-iipying the expenses incident TO its protection
and enjoyment. Such an amendment, the Pre-
sident also suggested, would remove from Con-
gress all issues in reference 10 the poitica!
equality Of the races. Ii would leave the States
to determine absolutely the publications Of their
own voters with regard to color and thus the
number Of representatives 10 which they would
be entitled ia Congress would depend upon the
number upon which they conferred the right Of
suffrage. Tie Prcsiden; IN this connection ex-
pressed the opinion that the agitation Of the ne
gro franchise question in the District Of Column
hia at this time was the mere entering wedge to
the agitation Of the question throughout the
States. and was iil-.Imed, uncalled-for. and cal
culated to DO great harm. lie believed that il
would engeEder enmity, contention and strife
between the two races, and lead 10 4 war be-
tween them, which would result in great injury
10 both and the certain determination Of the ne
gro population Precelence, he thought,
should he given to more important and urgent
matters, legislation upon which was essential
for the restoration Of the Union, the peace Of
the country, and lie prosperity Of the people.