The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1866-06-19
ACCOMMODATIONS.

hItbNAl iAt tbNs
Tie reconstruction proFosluan - amen.
dcd BY The Senate bas passed the House
BY strictly party vote. The joint com
mi,tse 10 their fnal report submitted the
proposition a. he resul, Of mutual couces-
sion, and tbs House acted upon the inca
sare 10 the same spirit Of compromise
While the proposed amendment does not
contain all that could b. desired, Il IA be-
lievei to be a measure which can be car.
ried into practical operation, which will
secure the Government from the mackna.
tions Of It's enemies, and which will be the
foundation Of system Of laws having Tor
liz object the protection and elevation Of
every being IL the brotherhood Of man. A
measure which secures that much should
Dot be rejected in the present troubled
staie Of public affairs, IN tie endeayor 10
obtain Immediately results which must Ger
taihly follow.
BY the adoption Of this amendment, the
validity fall debts Incurred IN the prose
cstion Of The sar for the Union will be Sc
cured by the Constitution and the inva.
lidity of all rebel claims aud obligations
will be pronounced, aud their payment
prohibited, by the same high authority
If mol single person Is punished for tbe
crime Of treason, tie rebel wil. have ST
least pecuniary loss 10 remind them taat
their enterprisa was III gal and that il re-
suited in their defeat.
BY The adoption Of this amendment, the
States lately IL rebellion vii be deprived
OF their former power in Congress, and can
only regain that power by giving the right
OF suffrage 10 the blacks. The loss OF ex-
cessiye political power, when they are on
ly brought down 70 the footing Of loyal
States, car hardly be called punishment !;
and yel il will undoubtedly be looked up.
on rs such by the people who have claim
ed the control Of the country as tie natur-
al right Of the South.
By the first section oflhe proposed amend
mcni, all persons born and naturalized in
the United States are declared citizens Of
the United States and oflhe States where
10 they reside and are secured 10 the enjoy
men, Of the privileges and immunilies OF
thai citizensphp. The Southern judges
declare the civil rights bin unconsiiuion-
a. but when that amendment is adopted
the civil rights bin viii become part Of the
Constitution. The party which secured
liz passage viii provide for its enforcement,
and the Legislative action and judicial de-.
cieions OF the Southern States must con
form TO the supreme law. Some regret
,ha. the right Of suffrage is not to be i'm
mediately given the negroes in return for
their loyalty aud devotion but before
charging the nation With injustice 10 that
particular, We mus, remember that fun
and complete guaranty OF civil rights viii
not be looked upon ~ small reward BY
those who have just emerged from slave
~.
By the third section % The proposed
amendment !, is provided that no person
shall hold any Office under the Govern.
meni of the United States or that Of any
State, who, having taken The oath, as
State or national ciflcerio support tie Con.
sIisution Of the United States, afterwards
engaged IN the rebellion. Iiitwere prob
able that any q the leaders of the REBEL.
bon could be convicted 81 treason and SCI.
ef the pelislty Of death, VIC should Be sat.
is6ed With this provision. But uhen AZ.
fairs are in such condition ,hst The just
penalty o. tie laN i not likely 10 be ia-
h'c'ed upon any one, panlshmenis less tbnn
death should be dispensed more ireelr
We oaHno, consider ihe prov ems ID that
section q sufiieirn panish ent OF .l.e mea
wbo committed crime hieh seat -
coo loyal men 70 unlJmely graves. and
hardened The country uish a debi 4 So.
500, 100000. Ba, If We cannoi punish
for The past, il Is vel to provide for the
fsIurr and perhaps il is better 70 be con-
tent with what The bill effects. iLan 10 run
any risk FL di4asiee IL TIE eudtayor "a ae-
eonPlishcd more completely the work IF
tSooasiracia0n