The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-02-08
The Constitutional Amendment.

I ne AUA5kAklAlOAAA
In the house of Representatives, yes
terday afternoon, the Constitutional
amendment was reported back by the
committee OF fifteen. 1t had been al
tered By striking out the provision in
reference 70 direct taxes. Apportion-
ment Of representatives is limited to
voters, IS before. In other respects,
the amendment is the same as when
first reported. Mr.. Stevens aeconpa-
MED MS presentation yesterday with q
speech Virulsntly denunciatory of the
President, whom he charged with sn
attempt at "usuFpation, and With hay
ing put forth q proclamation, at the
time Congress WAS legislating upon the
subject which, 'if made centuries ago,
by British King to Parliament, would
have cost him his head Mr.. Schenok
offered an amendment which was re-
jected by $50 to 3e. The report of the
committee was then sdopted-l2o TO 46.
The importancs Of this seton upon
the future Of the party snd Of the
country osnnOt easily be over-estims~
ted. Its bearings will of course be very
materially affected by the manner in
which the President views the action OF
the House-almost certain to be con
cured in by the Senate. 1t has been
our own expressed opinion that he
would not return q Joint resolution sent
him, even if he failed TO approve en-.
tirely its language and specifications.
The only objection he is known 10 have
entertained 70 the amendment-as ex-
pressed in his eonEersat alton with Sena-
tor Dixon-having been removed, it
seems reasonable to suppose that he
will suffer the work of Congress 10
stand, for approval or rejection Dy the
different States. Upon questions in
volVing new and untried principles of |
differences of opinion may
be legitimately entertained, and it was |
not to be expected, perhaps, that Mr.
johnson and the leaders Of Congress |
should view this precisely alike. The |
recommitment on Tuesday was a de |
Of respect for the Presi-
dents opinions And the altered form /
Of the the resolution as returned,
proves that Congress is disposed to
meet the Executive in a spirit Of COM
promise, which will undoubtedly be
FULLY reciprocated.
OF the address of Bfr. Stevens, We
,ad simply that it was infamous.
Prompted no doubt by the recommit-
nent of Tuesday, it was permeated BY
he sourness and bile of an irascible
I'D man, whose assumed leadership Of 1
he House is an unmitigated mistor-
iune. If it had been determined to +,
produce a division between the two
branches of the Administration, this
Danton would be precise
y the man TO inaugurate It His thea
re is anarchy his weapon, denuncia-
ion; his work, disorder. Without
parallel in ferocity and coarseness, he
possesses a measure of po-
it;cal ability which msgnifes his ca
,acity for evil, and prompts him to the ,
most shameful acts,
1t was falsehood to say that Mr..
Johnson had interfered by proolama-
ion with the legislation Of Congress, or
hat he interfered at all When Mr..
stevens was called to state what
le intended by this charge, he was
compelled to say that he alluded TO the
act that the President had said some
hing TO somebody, which that body
lad reported to some other body, and
which had Eeen published in the news
,apers We can fancy that this
come down" must have been received
With broad guffaw by the House. A
senator calls upon Mr.. johnson, to ask
lis opinion concerning certain points Of
policy. That opinion is stated, with a
rsnkness which is part of the Presi-
ients nature. The Senator repeats
lis conversation and the industrious
eporters give it to the press. there
lpon the President wide Steyens) be
omes IAN usuTper,' interfering "by I
with the powers of Con !
,ress, and it is fortunate for him that /
le is not King dealing with Parlia- 1
nent or he would have his head taken '
fl This assault would be simply /
idiculous if it we're not SO base, and I
,ut for the fact that it has aeen follow
d by action, which, in the minds of &
hose who do not reason critically, may I
,e received as an endorsement Of the {
1aTplot special views. Undoubtedly, !
stevens was keen enough to discern the
ctitious advantage and partial relief
rom the consequences Of recommit-
nent, which he would thus secure
We look to the speedily approaching I
ction Of the Senate and President with
n interest which is very little tinctured
y anxiety. There appears to US no
adical ground Of division in fact
part from the indecoFous exhibition
y Stevens, for which he alone is re-
ponsible--the prevailing temper is that
{ concilistion and union. The amend
lent in its present shape does not, az
-e can discover, conflict seriously with
be known views Of the President In
ssponse to q question Of the Argus, we
lay cay that we would have preferred
n adoption IN terms Of the clear and
lfhcient provisions suggested by Mr.
which we're sufficiently broad
nd comprehensive, and rightly settled
be principle without involvement. But
be important amendment made leaves
cry little substantial difference. The =
resident would apportion representa- i
ives to voting population; Congress :,
roposes to do this, but excludes from n
be basis of representation all classes @
hose rights are abridged by the
tste-Albany EgzL Jour.