Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-02-28

he 6lh section OF the bin proposes 10
axe away land from its former own
,rs without any legal Proceedings be
ng first had. contrary TO that provis-
on of the Constitution which declares
person shall be deprived ofhic,
liberty. or property without due pro
cess OF law. Ii does not appear that
a part Of the land to which tins sec
tion refers may not be owned by
minors or persons OF unsound mind.or
by those who have been faithful to all
their obligations as citizens Of the
United States.-lf any portion Of the
land is held by such persons, II Is not
competent for any authority to de-
privc them Of it. If on the other hand
ii be found that the property Is liable
to confscation even then it cannot he
appropriated to public purposes,uniil,
by due process of law, II shall have
been declared forfeited to the govern
ment.
There isstill furtherobjection to the
bill. on grounds seriously affecting the
class of persons 10 whom it Is design
ed to bring relief Ii will tend 10 steep
the mind of the freedman in a state Of
uncertain expectation and restlessness,
while to those among whom he lives
n will be n source of constant and
vague apprehension.
Undoubtedly the freedman should
be protected by the civil authorities,
and especially by the exercise Of all
the constitutional powers Of the courts
of the United States and Of the States
His condition is not so exposed As may
at first be imagined. He sin por-
tion of the country whore his labor
cannot well be spared Competition
for his services from planters, from
those who are constructing or repair
ing railroads, and from capitalists IN
his vicinage or from other States. wal 1
enable him TO command almost lns
own terms He also possesses a per
feet right TO change his place OF abode,
and if,thereforc, he does not find in one
community or State mode Of life suiia-
bic TO bis desires, and proper remunera-
tion for his labor, let him 90 where Il
is more esteemed and rewarded
In truth, however, such State, in
duccd by its own wants and interests.
will do what is necessary and proper
to retain within its borders all the Ia
bor that isneeded for the development
of its resources. The laws that regu-
late supply and demand will maintain
their force. and the wages of the Ia
borer viii be regulated thereby. There
is no danger that the exceedingly
great demand for labor will not oper-
ate in favor of the laborer. neither is
sufficient consideration given to the
avidity of the freedmen toprotect and
take care Of themselves.
Itisnot more than Justice 10 them
to believe. that as they have received
their freedom with moderation and
forbearanee, so they will distinguish
themselves for their industry and
thrift, and soon show TO the world
that in a condition of freedom they
are selfsustaining, capable Of selecting
their own enjoyment and their own
places of abode, of insisting for them
selves on proper remuneration, and
of establishing and maintaining their
own asvlums and schools il is earn
estly hoped that instead of wasting
away. they viii, by their own efforts.
establish for themselves q condition
of ofrespectability and prosperity. 1t Is
certain that they can attain to that
condition only through their own
merits and actions
In this connection the query presents
itsclf.whether the system proposed BIZ
the bin will not, when put into com
plcto operation, practically transfer
the entire care, support and control Of
four millions of emancipated slaves 10
agents. ovcrsecrs or task masters who.
appointed at Washington, are 10 bc
located in every cnnnty and parish
throughout the United States contain
ing freedmen and refugees Such 2
system would inevitably tend 10 a
concentration Of power in the Execn-
tive, which would enable him. IL so
disposed, to control the action 0f this
numerous class, and to use them Tor
the attainment OF his own political
ends.
i cannot but add anothcrverv grave
objection to the bill The Constitution
impcratively declares, in connection
with taxation. that each State shall
have at least one representative, and
fixes the rule for the number 10 which in
future times each State shall be emit
tied it also provides that tho Senate
of the United States shall be composed
oftwo Senators from each State. and
adds with peculiar force. that no State.
without its consent, shall be deprived
of its equal suffrage in the Senate.
The original act was necessarily pass.
ed in the absence OF the States chiefly
10 be affected. because their pooul g