American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-02-24

of it. If, on the other hand, 1t be found that
the property is liable to confiscation, even
then it cannot be appropriated to public pur-
poses until by due process OF law it shall have
been declared for leited to the Government.
There are still further objections to the
bill, ON the ground of seriously affecting the
class of persons to whom it is designed to
bring relief 1t will tend to keep the minds
of the freedmen in state of uncertain expec-
tation and restlessness, while to those among
whom he lives it will be source Of constant
and vague apprehension. Undoubtedly, the
freedman should be protected, but he should
be protected by the civil authorities, especial.
ly by the exercise of all the constitutional
power of the courts of the United States, and
of the States. His condition is not so exposed
as NAV at first be imagined. He is in por-
ton of the country where his labor cannot
well be spared. Competition for his services
from planters, from those who are construct
ing or repairing railroads, OF from capitalists
in lis vicinity or other States, will enable
him to command almost his own terms. He
also possesses a perfect right to change his
place of abode, and If, therefore, he does not
find in one community or State. mode OF
life suited to his desires or proper remunera!
ton for his labor, he can move to another
where labor is more extended ana better re-
warded.
In truth, however each State. induced by
its own wants and interests, will do what 10
necessary and proper to retain within its Dor
ders all the labor that is needed for the de-
velopment of its resources. The laws that
regulate supply and demand will MAINTAIN
their force, md the wages OF the laborer Will
be regulated thereby. There is no danger
that the great demand for labor will not oper-
ate in favor of the laborer.
Neither has sufficient consideration been
given to the ability OF the freedmen to pro-
tect and take care of themselves. 1t is no
more than justice to them to believe that as
they have received their freedom with mod
GRAFTON and forbearance, they will distinguish
themselves by their industry, and that they
will feel and show the world that in their CON
dition of freedom they are selfsustaining and
capable of selecting their own employment
and their own places of abode, us well as OF
insisting for themselves on proper renumera-
ton, and of establishing and maintaining
their own asy lums and schools.
1t is earnestly hoped that instead OF vast
ing away. they will, by their own efforts, es-
tablish for themselves a condition OF respecta-
blity and prosperity. 1t is certain, they can
attain to that condition only through their
the query presents itself, whether the system
proposed by the bill will not, when put inso
complete operation, practically transfer the
entire care, support and control OF four mil
lions of emancipated slaves to hard overseers
or task masters, Who'll appointed at Washing,
ton. are to be located in every county and
parish in the United SSates containging freed
men and refugees? Such concentration OF
power in the Executive as would enable him,
If 40 dsposed to contro, the action OF nu-
merous class and use them for attainment OF
his own political aims.
cannot but add another very great objec-
ton to this bill The Constitution impera.
lively declares in connection with taxation, that
each State shall have at least one representative
and fixes the rules for the number to which III
future times each State shall elect 1t also provides
that the Senate OF the United States shall be com
posed of two Senators from each State, and ADDS
with peculiar force that no State without its con
sent shall be deprived of of its suffrage in the Sen
ate The original act was necessarily passed IN the
absence of the States. chiefly to be effected because
their people were then contunlaclously engaged IN
the rebellion. Some at least OF the States are al
tending Congress by loyal representatives sollclhhS
the allowance of their Constitutional rights OF re-
presentation At the time, however, of the c0nsld.
Grafton and passing of the bill there were no Sena-
tors or Representatives in Congress from the eevel
States which to be mainly Affected ny us pro
visions. The fact that reports were made against
the GOOD disposition of the country is an additional
reason why they need aud should have representa-
tves of their own in Congress to explain their con
dition and especially execute and assist by their
legal knowledge in the pertecting OF measures lm-
medately affecting themselves, while the liberty
OF deliberation would then be free, ana Congress
would then have full power to decide according to
their judgments there could then be no
objection urged that the States mostly IN
teTested had not been permitted to be heard.
The principle is firmly fixed in the minds OF the
American people that there can be no taxation WIN
out representation. Great burdens are now to be
horne by all the country, and we may best demand
that they shall be borne without murmur when
they are voted by majority OF the representation
of all the people. | would not interfere with the
unreasonable rights of Congress to judge, each
House for ITSELF OF the election, returns and quail
fcations of its own members, but that authority
cannot be construed as including the right to put
cut in time of peace any State from representation
to (which it is entitled by the Constitution. Al
present all the people of the United States are IN
Guided, those who were most faithful during the
war not less than others. The State of Tennessee
for instance, whose authorities were IN rebellion
was restored TO all her Constitutional relations to
the Union by the patriotism and energy OF her IN
iured and outraged people. Before the war was
brought to a termination, they had classed them
selves in friendly relation with the General Govern
ment; had established State Government oil theii
own and as they were not included in the emancl'
patton proclamation. they, by their own action
have amended their Constitution so as to abolish
slavery within the limits of their state: Know nc
reason why the State of Tennessee for example
should not fully enjoy her constitutional relations
to the United States. The President OF the United
States stands towards the country in a somewhat
different attitude from that of any member OF Con
gress chosen from single district or state; Tht
President is chosen by the people Of all the States
Eleven States are not now representated IN Con
gress, and it would seem to be his duty on all prop
er occasions to present their just Claims to Con
gress. There always will he ditferenence OF opinion
in the community, and individuals may be guilty o.
transactions in violation OF the law, but these dc
not constitute valid objections against the right OF
State representation, would in no wise inter
fere with the discretion of Congress with regard tt
the qualifications of members, but hold it my duty
to recommend to you in the interests OF peace aht
in the interests Of the Union the admission OF every
State its share of public legislation however nscb
ordinate insurgent or rebelliOus its people may