The weekly Panola star. [volume] (Panola, Miss.) 1857-1881, 1866-10-06

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bftn Hfn fhs plblit prints N
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convened in asim session M NE 18th /.
n Oefblief 'fhe pfotrpd smenfI
meni r. NE Consolidation N ihe United .
4tties asa ifh iHicIs, mss wsslhlg
be admitted ~ fha Legislature ir
ita adoption ~ repetition, nod as our
State haa hnd no opportunity a be .
Iha heard hfuuah hof fepresenilivcs /
on THE interesting subject, anl ~
iho people " The State have a right
10 know The opinions n their fepfe
senlallvcs on a question ao vitality
important, I adopt This method, the
only one lch ME. If giving very
briefly The outline n ihe opinions
which ! entertain il regard 70 this
proposed amendment No doubt the
good sonse of the Legislature will
guide that body 10 q correct conclu-
sion, but the interest | feel lOr The
welfare aud the dignity Of Che State,
demands that ! should not remain
silent when both are so deeply in
volved.
IN the first place, ! do not believe
the amendment was recommended by
| two-thirds Of the Congress Of the
| United States. The constitutional
House Of Representatives consists of
members chosen "by the people of
the several States" and the Senate
consists of "two Senators from each
State" II is very clear that body
not so composed, or in other words
where considerable number of the
States are excluded from representa-
ton in both branches, is not the Con-
gress Of the United States. AS well
might any body of usurpers assemble
and claim TO be the Congress of the
United States. Each State has n
right to know that all claiming to be
members possess the constitutional
requisites. Mississippi does not and
cannot know that the members who
recommended this amendment, were
constitutional members of Congress.
Nearly one-third of the States were
excluded from representation in both
houses by a majority of members
who assumed to be the Congress. If
a majority may thus exclude States
from representation, it is easy to per-
ceive that it may go on in the work
of declaring States disloyal and in
the exclusion Of minorities, until Con-
gress shall be made to consist only
of members from few Of the larger
States, with all others excluded. For
instance, New York and Pennsylva-
mia may so manage as to control a
majority, and begin by excluding
first one small State and then another
and so on, until all the Legislative
power of the nation is usurped and
controlled by those two States, and
ultimately even by the largest Of
them.
When the Southern States adopted
the amendment abolishing slavery,
the state Of things was very differ
ent; they had not elected or sent
members to the Congress which re-
commended that amendment. But
when his amendment was proposed,
they had elected members who APP
peared at the proper time and de-
manded to be admitted, but were
rejected. We are not therefore to be
told that we have recognized this a.
a constitutional Congress.
But again: The President is 0
component part of the Legislativ,
Department, and the Constitution
declares that every order, resolu-
' ton or vote to which the concurrenc,
OF the Senate and House Of Repre-
sentatives may be necessary, (excep
on a question of adjournment,) shal
be presented to the President" &c
Nothing can take effect, or be com
plete until so presented. And tn,
case is not altered because a two
;. thirds vote is required on amend
ments proposed; such resolution i
not a complete legislative act until s.
presented. In no other way, excep
through the President, can such reso
luton be communicated to the States
As the proposed amendment was no
submitted to the President, il doc
not amount to a recommendation.
is a nullity.
But let US look, for a moment, q
the provisions of the proposed amend
ment.
" The first section declares that "A
persons born or naturalized in th
United States, and subject to th
jurisdiction thereof, are citizens Of III
United States, and Of the State wher,
IN they reside" 1t then proceeds /
prohibit the States from making {
enforcing any law "which sha
abridgc the privileges or immuniti'
of citizens" 1t does not say VIII
are privileges or immunitiesj tina.
left for the next Congress to provit
in virtue of the last section, whic
declares "that Congress shall ha,
power to enforce, by appropriate le,
islation, the provisions Of this Al
Of ticle." We may find Congress col
~ ferring privileges and immunitiei
he on one class TO the exclusion Of al
" other class; or we may find Congre
b. assuming absolute control over a
an tha uaonlp of State and their n