Maryland free press., 1866-05-03
The Radical plan of Reconstruction.


The Radical Plan Of Reconstruction
EY- After five months of fumbling,
fuming and fIssing, the Reconstruction
Committee have reported the amendments
to the Constitution and bills following. as
their plan of restoring the Union. That
their plan will not work and was not in
teded to work is self-evident. The object
of these bills and amendments is not to
restore the Union. to doing which the
Radicals are bitterly opposed, but to keer
the Southern States from being represented
and themsclvcr in power. Without fur
ther comment we give our readers the
mouse which the mountain has brought
forth after labour so tedious -
4 joint resolution proposing an amendment to M.
Constitution of the United States.
Be il resolved by the Senate and House o
Rel rcscntatves Of the United States o. America
in Congress assembled, two-hrdS Of both houses
conrurring. That tho following article be pro-
posed to the Legislatures OF the several States as
an amendment 10 the constitution, which, when
ratified by thr,e-tourths Of the constitution,
namely:
Article-Section l. No State shall make OF
enforce any law which shall abrdge the privileges
or immunities of citizens of the United States
nor shall any State deprive any person of life,
liberty or property without due process of law,
nor deny 10 any person within its jurisdiction
the equal protection of the laws.
Sec. 2. Representatives shall be apportioned
among the several States which may be includ-
cd within this Union according to their respec-
tive numbers. counting the whole number ofper-
sons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed.
But whenever in any State the elective franchise
shall he denied to any portion of its male citizens
not less than twenty-one years of age: or in any
way abridged, except for participation i'll rebel
lion or other crime, the basis of representation
in such State shall be reduced in the proportion
which the number of such male citizens shall
bear to the WI ole number Of male citizens not
less than twenty-one years of age.
Sec. 3. Until the 4th day of July, 1870, all
persons who voluntarily adhered to the late i'll
surrection, giving it aid aud comfort, shall bc
excluded from the right to vote for members OF
Congress and for electors for President and Vice
President of the United States.
Sec. 4. Neither the United States nor any
State shall assume or pay any debt or obliga-
ton already incurred, or which may hereafter be
incurred, in aid of instruction or war against
the United States, or any claim for compensation
for loss Of involuntary services or labor.
Section 5. The Congress shall have power TO
enforce, by appropriate legislation, the provisions
of this article.
4 bill TO procide for tie restoration OF The States
iateiy IN insurrtction TO their full toidicR rights.
Whereas it is cxpedicnt that the States lately
in insurrcction should at The earliest day consis
tent with the future peace and scfsty ofthe Union
be ie:torcd TO full Anticipation in all political
rights.
And whereas the Cangrcss did, by joint rcsolu-
.s.. al 4
OF the several States, as an amendment TO the
Constitution If the United States, an article in
the following words, TO wit [Thc constitutional
NJ tclc rccitcd above is here inserted.
Now, therefore, be il enacted, etc, That when
ever the above-recited amendment shall have he
come q part of the constitution, and any State
lately in insurrection shall have ratified the same
and sml have modified its constitution and laws
il a conformity Herewith, the Senotors and Rep
resentalyes from such State, if found duly elected
and qualified, may, after having taken the re-
quircd Oaths Of Office, be admitted into Congress
us such.
And be it further enacted That when any
State, lately in insurrcction shall have ratified
the foregoing proposed amendment to the Con-
stitution, any part of the direct tax under the
act of August 5th, 1861, which may remain due
and unpaid in such State may be assumed and
paid by such State, and the payment thereof,
upon proper assurances from such State to he
given TO the Secretary of the Treasury of the
United States, may be postponed for period not
exceeding ten years from and after the passage OF
this act. .. ...
Il LiH declaring certain persons inligble 10 office
und,H he Government Of Me United States.
Be it enacted, &C., That no pcls,n shall be
eligible TO any Office under the government ot
the United States who is included in any Of the
following classes, namely
Fsrst, The plsident and Vice President of the