National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1866-10-19

tlorized Dy law. including debts in
CURED for payne It OF y .HSiuas and
bountles for SelvlteS III Supprrssing
instruction. or rebellion, shall not
he questioned. But neither the
United States, nor any State, Shall
assume on pay any debt or ob.lga-
ton incurred in aid OF Instruction
or rebl l.on against the United
States. or any claim for the loss or
emancipation of any Slave: but all
such debts, obligations, and claims
shall be held illegal and void.
SEC. 1.-The Congress shall have
power to enforce, by appropriate
legislation, the provisions of this az
tlcle.
Soon after this propos ID amend
mrnt was adopted. il was ratified by
the legislature of Tennessee, and
Immediately thereupon the Senators
il II Il Representatives previously
chosen by that State. upon taking
the oaths prescribed by law. We're
admitted TO seats in the respective
. llollStS ol congress-.
Texas is the only other STATE con
federated in the rebellion, that has
acted upon this amendment. There
it was rejected. the legislature di-
rccting the committee having it in
charge to return it to the Secretary
of State.
Every other State, except Oregon,
whose legislature first ratified and
then rejected (which stood by the
Government during the rebellion.
whose lcgiSlaturc has been in SEES.
sion since the amendment WAS pro
posed. has ratified (which stood
by the Government during the re-
bellion, whose Legislature has been
in session since the amendment was
proposed. has ratified it: and there
Is good reason to confidently antlci-
4 pate that il will be ratified by the
number of States necessary tn make
it part of the federal Constitutions
While this amendment does not
contain single rop0sition which
the Executive has not. either in his
SpcVc.ns or official communications.
approved. lis only danger of defeat
IA danger now happily small
arises from his hostility to its ratili-
cation
The issue presented to the people
Tins tall has been and will be this
policy Ut Congress. Us contrastrd
with that of the Executive Depart
mcut ii the Government. The
former puts such safeguards about
J'ic restoration of The States lately
coltHcrdtcd in rebellion toan equal
participation in the Government
with h States which always re-
IN incd true To the tag. as shall 81
cue o the original Union men of
the South equal rights and impair
tidl liberty, while 1t stamps upon
treason the indcliblc mark of The
people, condemnation. The latter
restores to civil and political power
the mcn who plotted the rehrliiou
AND fought it through To its bitter
end. leaving to Their mappeaSlu4
and uair,euling hate minority OF
whites 50 small as to be helpless.
and the entire colaedrarp. 70 whom
liberty has been given and lis peace
able and full enjoyment guaranteed.
The elections already held have
rest ltei in the triumphant approval
Of tlc Congressional policy; and
there is no reasonable doubt that the
, elections vet to h" held will pro
n,unce as Enthusiastically in favor of
the constitutional amendment.
Vermont, rs is her wont when
called To any good work. lcd the
way with a grand emphasis in the
popular approval of Congress
Yet, decisive rs her declaration WAS
at the polls. the State would have
welcomed. with still greater cntlu.
SiaSm and with more tliumphan
majority, such reorganization of
tueuebeiiiuus communities. as would
have given to the people. white and
black, the equal civil and political
rights secured to the people of This
state by our Eli Of right and Con
Stitution, and under which peace,
order, civilization. education. con.
tcntmcut. Christianity and liberty
have shed their benign and blessed
influence alike upon every home and
household in our beloved Common.
wealth.
7 J invoke upon You. and Your Ii
horS, the blessing of that God who
has hitherto 80 eracionslN led and
upheld us rs STAGE and people.
PAUL DIIII\GiIAM.
EXECUTIVE CHAMBER.
Montpelier, Oct. -, 1856.