The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-06-09

TIE New York Evening Post, of the
5th inst, devotes nearly a column to
the Senate Caucus Amendment 1t
comes to the conclusion that no part
of it except the section changing the
basis of representation ought to be
adopted. 1t argues as follows:
But to accomplish this (the exclusion Of
rebe from office no constitutional amend
already exist, and needs only tnst they be
enforced, to do all that is necessary and eX-
pedieut. Congress has, as the President
has said, the right to exclude or expel
from its body all who have taken part IN
the rebellion and the President is
obliged to refuse Office under the federal
government 10 ali who cannot take the
oaths prescribed By Congress.
what, then, is to be gained by incorpo-
rating this amendment IN the Constitution,
a measure of so temporary character, by
the acknow edgment Of It's authors, that
they are ready 20 allow Congress to repeal
IL at any time So grand and enduring an
instrument should not be lightly amended
it should not contain among It's provisions
any merely temporary eXpedieot5. What
ever appears lutIC buhult4 NC lol AT LltAA9'
The late rebellion and all that relates to it
are only incidents, of which the Constitu-
ton need bear no trace.
We do not mean TO say that the amend
ment is not JUST; or that It would not be
right to punish, by Acknowledgement, and
by severer penaijie', the men of influence
in the Southern States, who led in the re-
belliou. But Ill that is Just is not always
expedieul; and practical sJdtesmanship is
satisfied to secure the best possible, be-
cause, as men are constituted, the sum OF
good is not always attainable. 1t is of very
great importance that the Southern States
should quickly as possible be restored to
quiet; if there is any way in which We can
without sacriicing equal justice before the
law TO men, and the rights OF free speech
and press, reconcile the mass of the South
ern whites, we think il wise to DO 60. All
/ Unnecessary irritation should be avoided
/ The supremacy of the Union was so firmly
established by arms, and the power of the
! General Government must continue 10 be 81
cont nually felt in every part Of the South,
that we can afford o. disarIn opposition by
concessions which do not cudanger liberty
or Justice.
The section of the amendment relating +.
the payment # the national debt, and the
non payment of the rebel debt, seem to u.
as We uaFD btlOtc SAUL hscltnh5 70 bho lt'-
pie Of this country ever fall low enough e
be willing TO deny their debt, or be foolish
enough 10 assume that contracted Ey Davis
they viii not be restrained by a Constitu-
tioUal amendment. We believe the Amer
| cac people are neither knayes or fools, and
that they may be safely trusted, without
Constitutional bonds, to pay their just debts
| II any party goes before the people with 6
demand that our debt shall be denied, OF
the rebel debt assumed, it will be so badly
beaten as to teach its leaders a wholesome
lesson. Politicians Of the Union party
need not be averse TO have their opponent
stand on that platform; it would secure u
the Union party an easy and certain vic.
/ tory.
Nor do we see the propriety Of the clause
/ in the amendment which guarantees civil
| rights: unless, indeed, Congress - willing
20 admit that by a two thirds vote Of bott
| houses it has passed an unconstitutional act
| or unless il believes that the Civil Righb
act is opposed to the spirit Of our people
and will be repesled-in which case, how
| ever, the amendment 'uld lot be expected
| TO pass, either. We believe il is IN acc I'd
with the Constitution, and we do not believe
/ il can be repealed, or that any party can
stand before the people which tavors its re-