The Placer herald., 1866-06-30
The Presidents Message to Congress on
the Constitutional Amendments.

The Presidents Message to Congress on
the Constitutional Amendments.
% Friday, June 22d. the President trans,
United to Congress . message, in relation to
the proposed Constitutional amendments
lately passed BY both Houses. 1t will be
observed that he has doubts as to the valid,
~ Of amendments passed by Congress
composed Of ouly representatives Of por.
ton Of the States; and at least considers the
attempt as in dsrogatiou Of an enlightened
public Judgment. lie says:
Il submit to Congress the report Of the Secre-
tary OF the State, to whom was referred the con-
current resolution Of the 18th instant, respecting
the submission to the Legislatures Of the States
Of an additional Article for the Consultation Of
The United States. II will be seen from this re.
port that the Secretary had on the 10th, trans
mitcd TO the Governors OF the several States ccr-
titled copies OF the joint resolution passed on the
18th, proposing an amendment to the Constitu-
tion. Even in ordinary times question OF
amending the Constitution must be justly regard.
ed as Of paramount importance. This impor-
tance ie at present enhanced by the fact that the
joint resolution was not submitted by the two
that of thirty-six States which constitute the Uni
ted States. eleven are excluded from representa-.
tiou in either House Of Congress, although, With
the simple exception OF Texas, they have been
entirely restored to their tunctiens as States, in
conformity with the organic law Of the land, and
have appeared at the National Capito, ith Sea-
ators aud Representatives who have applied for
admission aud been refused teir vacant seats
Nor have the sovereign people Of the natiCn been
afforded au opportunity Of expressing their vicws
upon the important question which the amend.
ment involved. Grave doubts, therefore, may
naturally arise as to whether the action OF Cou-
gress is in harmony with the sentiment OF the
people, and whether State Legislatures elected
without reference to such an issue should be call-
ed upon by Congress to decide respecting the
ratification Of the proposed amendment. Waiv-
ing the question as 10 the Constitutional validity
OF the proceedings ef Congress upon the joint
resolutions proposing the amendment, or rs 10
the merits Of the Article which it submits to
them through the Executive Department, it
should be observed that the steps taken by the
Secretary of State. as detailed in the accompa-
nying report. are to be considered as purely min
isterial. and in no sense whatever committing the
Executive to an approval or recommendation Of
the amendment to the State Legislatures or the
people. On the contrary, proper regard for the
letter and spirit OF the Constitution, as we'll as
the interest of national order harmony and
union, and Difference for an enlightened public
judgment, may, at this time, we'll suggest a
doubt whether any amendment OF the Constitu-
tion ought to he proposed by Congress and press
| cd on tue Legislatures of tho several States for
p, final decision, until alter the admission of such
| Senators and Representatives OF the now unrep.
resented States as hare been or may hereafter be
chosen, in conformity with the CONSTITUTION and
laws Of the United States.
BY the President ANDREW JOHNSON.
WM. H. SEWARD, Secretary Ct State.