East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1866-08-23

enlarges the jurisdiction of Congress,
and gives that body the right to ex-
clude States from representation in
the national councils, without which
the nation itself can have no authori-
ty and no existence, seems TO us at
variance alike with the principles Of
the Constitution and with the public
safety.
Third. But it is alleged that in
certain particulars the Constitution of
the United States fails to secure the
absolute justic and impartial equality
Which Ge principles Of our Govern
ment require that it was in this re-
spect the result Of compromises and
concessions, to which, however neces-
sary when the Constitution was
formed, wo are no longer compelled
to submit, and that now, having the
power through successful war, and
Just warrant for its exercise in the
hostile conduct Of the insurgent sec
ton, the actual Government Of the
United States may impose its ow n
conditions, and make the Constitution
conform in all lis provisions to its own
ideas of equality and the rights of
man. Congress, in its last session,
proposed amendments to the Consti-
tuition, charging in some very inpor-
tant particulars the authority OF the
General Government over that OF the
several States, and reducing, by in
direct Acknowledgement, the represen-
tative power of the States in which
slavery formerly existed and it is
claimed that these amendments may
be made valid as parts of the original
Constitution without the occurrence
of the States to be most seriously af-
fected 10y them, or may be imposed
upon those States by three-fourths of
the remaining States as conditions of
their rc-admissior to represen alton in
Congress and in the Electoral Col
lege.
1t is the unquestionable right Of
the people of the United States to
make such changes in the Constitu-
ton rs they, upon due deliberation,
may deem expedient. But we insist
that they shall be made in the mode
Which the Constitution itself points
out--in conformity with the letter and
spirit Of that instrument, and with
the principles Of selfgovernmcnt and
oe equal rights which lie at the basis
Of or republican institutions, We
deny the right of Congress to make
these changes in the fundamental
law without the concurrence of three
fourths of all the States, including
especially those to be most seriously
affected by them or to impose them
upon States or people, as conditions
of representation, or of admission to
any OF the rights, duties ca obliga-
tons which belong under the Consti-
tuition to all the States alike. And
with still greater emphasis do we de-
ny the right of any portion of the
States excluding the rest Of the States
from any share in their councils, to
PROF ose or sanction changes in the
Constitution which are to effect per-
manently their political relations and
coutrol or coerce the legitimate action
OF the several members of the common
Union. Such an exercise of power
is simply a usurpstion, just as war
rantable when exercised by Northern
s,,Uooo Ne wvugu ne a. eNefcfeeu py
Southern, ard not 10 be fortified "
palliated by anything in the past his
tory, either Of those by whom it is
attempted or Of those upon whose
rights and liberties it is to take effect
1t finds no warrant in the Constitu-
ton. 1t is at war with the funda-
mental principles of our form OF gov
eminent. Ii tolerated in one instance
it becomes the precedent for future
il vasion of liberty and constitutional
right dependent solely upon the will
of the party in possession of power,
and thus leads, by direct and neces-
sary sequences, to the most fatal and
intolerable of all tyrannies the ty-
ranny of shifting and irresponsible
political factions. 1t is against this,
the most formidable Of all the dan
gers which menace the stability Of
free government, that the Constitu.
ton of the United States was intend.
ed most carefully to provide. We
den and strict and steadfast adher-
| vnoo ius provisions. In thi-, onl
in this alone, can we find basis OF
permanent Union and peace.
Fourth. But it is alleged, in JUST.
fitation of the usurpation which We
condemn, that the condition Of the
Southern States and people is not such
as renders safe their readmission to a
share in the government Of the coun-
try that they are still disloyal III
sentiment and purpose, and that
neither the honor, the credit nor the
interest of the nation would be safe
if they were readmitted to a share in
its councils. We might reply to this :
/. That we have no right, for such
reasons, to deny TO any portion of the
States or people rights expressly con-
ferred upon them by the Constitution
of the United States.
2. That so long as their acts are
those of loyalty-so long as they con-
form in all their public conduct to
the requirements of the Constitution
and iaws-we have no right to exact
from them conformity in their senti-
ments and opinions to our own.
3. That we have no right to dis
trust the purpose Of the ability of the
people of the III ion to protect and
defend, under all contingencies and
by whatever means may be required,
its honor and its welfare.
These would in our judgment, be
full and conclusive answer to tho
plea thus advanced for the exclusion
of these States from tho Union. But
we say further, that this plea rests
upon complete misapprehcnsion or
r. A..