The weekly Panola star. [volume] (Panola, Miss.) 1857-1881, 1866-02-10
A statement VI President John,
sons Views.


WAsmNGtoN Jan -.
The following Is the substance of
conversation which took place to-day
between the President aud q distin-
puishcd Scnntor'
The President said that he doubted
the propricly at this time of making
any further amendments to the Com
stitution, One great amendment had
already been made hy which slavery
had already been forever abolished
within the limits of the United States,
and q national guarantee thus givcn
that the institution should never
again exist in this land. PROPOSE
lions to amend the Constitution were
becoming ~ numerous as prcamblcs
and resolutions nj town meetings,
called to consider the most ordinary
questions connected with the admin
istration of local affairs. All of this,
in his opinion, had n tendency to di-
minish the dignity and prestige at
tachcd to the Constitution of the
country, and to lessen the respect and
confidence Of the people in their great
charter of freedom. II, however,
amendments are 10 be made TO the
Constitution, changing the basis of
representation and taxation--and he
did not deem them at all necessary at
the present time--hc knew Of none
better than a simple proposition, en-
braccd in a few lines, making in each
State the number of qualified voters
the basis Of representation, and the
value Of property the basis Of direct
taxation. Such n proposition could
be embraced in the following terms:
Representation shall be appor-
toned among the several States which
may be included within this Union,
according TO the number Of qualified
voters in each State. Direct taxes
/ shall be apportioned among the sew
cral States which may be included
within this Union, according to the
value of all taxable property in each
State"
An amendment Of this kind would,
in his opinion, place the basis of rep
re%scntation and direct taxation upon
correct principles. The qualified
voters wee for the most part men
who were subject 10 draft and enlist
ment, when necessary, 10 rcpcl inva-
sion, suppress rebellion, and quell
domestic violence and instruction.
They risk their lives and shed their
blood, and spend their all to uphold
the Government, and give protection
security and value 10 property il
seemed but just that property should
compensate for the benefits thus CON
ferred, by dcfraying the expenses in
: cident to its protection and enjoy
ment. Such an amendment, the Pres
ident suggested, would rcmove from
Congress all issues in reference 10
political equality Of the races. II
would leave the States 10 determine
: absolutely the qualification Of their
own voters with regard to color, and
! thus the representation 10 which they
would be entitled IN Congress would
depend upon the number ;:pon which
they conier-e1. ine right Of suffrage
Inc President, in this connection
expressed the opinion that the agita.
ton Of the negro franchise question
in the District OF Columbia at thil
! time was the mere entering wedge 3,
the agitation Of the question through.
ont the States, and was ill-timcd, un.
!, called for, and calculated to do grca.
harm. He believed il would engcn
y der enmity aud strife between the tvs,
races, and lead 10 a war between
4 them, which would result In grea
!, injury TO both, and the certain exter
minaiion of the negro population
Precedence, he thought, should b
given TO more important and urgen
matters, legislation upon which wa
essential 20 the restoration Of til
|. Union, the peace Of the country, an
the prosperity Of the people.
The Washington dispatch to III
Missouri Dunocru,, radical says i
relation 10 the above;
Il has been very difficult to con
y vince the Uniou men in Congres
h to-day that tile reported c~onyeratio
t~elegraphed over the country Ia,
m night a. from the President, had b
r. sanction. This Is, however, true, i
having reviewed the statement, al
: provtd It, and directed it to be sci
Or the Associated Pres, with those lie
\. laratiJns ~ n text.