The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1866-02-22

have been faithful to all their obligations
as citizens Of the United States Ii any
portion Of the land is held by such persons,
it is not competent for any authority to
deprive them of it. If, on the other hand
it be found that the property be liable to
confscation. even hen it cannot be appro-
priated to the public purpose until. by due
process of law. it shall have been declared
forfeited to the Government
There are still further objections to the
bill, on grounds seriously affecting the class
of persons to whom it is designed to bring
relief. twill tend to keep the mind OF the
freedmen in state of uncertain eypecta.
ton aud rcstlcssress while, to those among
whom he lives, it will be source of con-
slant and vague apprehension. Undoubt-
edly the freedmen should be protected by
the civil authorities, especially BY the ex-
ercse of all the constitutional powers of
the courts of the United States, and of
he States. His condition is not so
exposed as may at first be imagined
He is a portion Of the country where
his labor cannot we'll be spared
Competition for his services from plant ers from
roads, or from capitalists in his vicinity or
from other States, will enable him TO command
almost ais own terms. He also possesses q
perfect right to change his place of abode; and
If, therefore he does not find in one commu-
nifty or State mode of life suited to his de-
slres, or proper remuneration for his labor.
he can move TO another where labor is more
esteemed and better rewarded In truth,
however, each State, induced by its own wants
and interests, will do what is necessary and
proper TO retain within its borders all the Ia
Dor that is needed for the development Of its
resources The laws that regulate supply
ana demand will maintain their force, and the
! wages of the labOrcr will be regulated there
by. There Is no danger that the great demand
tor labor will not operate in favor of the la
bOrer. Neither is sufficient consideration
given 10 the ability of the freedmen to protect
| and take care of themselves 1t is no more
| than justice TO them TO believe that, as they
have received their freedom with moderation
and fOrbcarance, so they will distinguish
themselves by their industry, and will feel,
and soon show the world, that, in condition
OF freedom, they are sclf-sustaining, and capa-
| bic of selecting their own employment and
their own places Of abode; of insisting for
themselves on a proper remuneration, and of
establishing and maintaining their own asy-
lums and schools 1t is earnestly hoped that,
instead of wasting away, they will by their eff
forts, establish for themselves condition Of
responsibility and prosperity Ii is certain
that they can attain TO that condition ONLY
through their own merits and exertiOns.
CONCENTRATION OF POWER IN THE EXECUTIVE
In this connection the query presents itself
whether the system proposed by the bill will
not when put into complete operation, prac-
tiCally transfer the entire care support and
control OF four millions Of emancipated slaves
4
pointed at Washington. are to be located i'm
every county and parish throughout the Uni
ted States containing freedmen. Such svs-
TEN would eventually tend To such Il con
centraiOn in the Executive as would enable
him, If SO disposed to control the action OF n
numerous class, and use them for the attain
mcnt of his own political ends
CONGRESSIONAL REPRESENTATION
! cannot but add another very grave obiec-
ton to this bill The Constitution impcra-
lively declares, in connection with taxation
that each State shall have at least one Repre-
sentative, and fixes the rule for the number
tor which in future times each State shall be
entitled. 1t also providcs-that the Senate of
the United States shall be composed of two
Senators lrom each State, and adds with pc
culiar force that no State without its consent
shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in the
Senate The original act was necessarily
passed in the absence ofthe States chiefly to
be effected, because their people were then
contumaciOusly engaged in the rebellion
! Now the case is changed, and some at least of
the States arc attending Congress BY loyal
representatives, soliciting the allowance of
the constitutional right of representation At
the time, however, of the consideration of the
passing of the bill. there was no Senator or
represe NATIVE in Congress from eleven States
which are tn be mainly affected by its pro-
vision The very fact that reports were.
and are made against the good disposition Of
the country, is an additional reason why they
need and should have representatives of their
own in Congress to- explain their condition,
reply to accusations, and assist by their local
knowledge, in the perfectng of measures I'M
mediately affecting themselves. While the
liberty Ofdcliberation would then be free, and
Congress would have full power according to
its judgment, there could be no objection urg-
ed that the States most interested had not
been permitted to be heard The principle is
firmly fixed in the minds Of the American
people that there should he no taxation with
out representation. Great burdens are now
to be borne by all the country, and We may
hes: demand that they shall be borne without
murmur when they are voted by majority
of the representatives Of all the people. |
would not interfere with the unqucstonabls
right of Congress to judge, each house TO it.
sell OF the clectlOnS returns ana QUALIFICATIONS
of its own members; but that authority can
not be construed as including the right to shut
out in time of peace any State from the repre-
sentation to which it is entitled by the Con
stitutiOn. At present. all the people of II
States are excluded, those who were most
faithful during the war not less than others
The State of Tennessee, for instance. whose
authorities engaged in the rebellion, was re-
stored to all her constitutional relations to
the Union by the patriotism and energy of
her injured and betrayed people before the
war was brought to termination. They had
placed themselves in relations with the gen
eral government had established State gov
eminent of their own. and, as they were not
included in the emancipation proclamation,
they, by their own act have amended their
constitution so as to abolish slavery within
the limits of their State. | know no reason
why the State of Tennessee. for example.
should not fully enjoy all her constitutional
relations to the United States.
The President of the United States stands
before the country in somewhat different
attitude from that of any member of Congress
chosen from single district or State. The
President is chosen by the people of all the
States. Eleven States are not, at this time
represented in either branch OfCongress. 1t
would seem to be his duty. on all proper oc-