The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-07-04
The Presidents Message.

The Presidents Message.
!. The following i the message OF the
President in relation 10 the proposed
amendment to the Constitution. Of the
United States; q careful psru'al Of which
lxill enable our readers to form ca; optn'
ion 10 regard to bis present policy, snd
to determine how far be has departed
from the position he occupied on the sub
ject of reconstruction at the time he was
called to assume tho duties Of tho Office
be now holds:
"I submit to Congress report ofthe
Secretary Of State, to whom was referred
the concurrent resolution Of the 18th
inst, respecting q submission to tho
! Legislatures Of the States Of 40 additional
article to the Constitution Of tho United
States. twill DO seen from this report
that tho Secretary Of State bad, on the
10th inst, transmitted to the Governors
of the several States certified copies Of
the Join. resolution passed on tho 18th,
proposing IN amendment to tho ConStl'
tuition. =,
Even 10 ordinary times, question
of amending the Constitution must DO
Justly regard cd as Of paramount import.
unco. This Importance is ut the present
time enhanced by the fuct TINT the joint
resolution WAS not submitted by the two
Houses for the approval of the President,
and that Of the thirty. Biz StOtes which
constitute the Union, eleven are e1clu'
ded from representation in either House
Of Congress; although, with the single
exception Of Texas, they have been en- '
,ircly restored to all their functions as
States, in conformity with tho organic
law of the land, and have appeared ut
the National Capital, by Senators and
Reprcse ta,ires, who have applied for
and been refused admission TO the vacant
seats. Nor have the sovereign pe"ple OF,
the nation been afforded an opportunity
Of expressing their views upon the i'm
portant questions which the amendment
involves. Gravc doubts, therefore, tnuy
naturally ind justly arise Us to whether
tho action ofCongress is in harmony with
the sentiment Of the people, and whether
State Legislatures, elected without refer.
ence to such M issue, should be called
upon by Congress TO decide respecting
the ratification of the proposed amend
mcnt.
Waving the question as to the con.
s,ilutionul validity Of the proceedings OF
Congress upon the joint resolution pro-
posing the amendment, or as to the
merits Of the article which it submits
through the Executive Departmental the
Legislatures of the States, deem it prop.
er to observe that the steps taken by the
Secretary of State, as detailed in the &C.
compnnying report, are to DO considered
az purely ministerial, ind in no sense
whatever committing tho Executive TO
an.approyal or recommendation Of the
amendment to tho Stato Legislatures or
to the people. On the contrary o proper
appreciation Of the letter and spirit Of tho
| Constitution, us well as Of the Interests of
national order, harmony, and union, and
Difference for au enlightened public
! judgment, may at this time well suggest
q doubt whether any amendment to the
Constitution ought to be proposed by
Congress and pressed on the Legislatures
Of the several States for final decision,
until after the admission Of such Scnu.
tors and Representatives of the now
unrcprcs cnted States us have been or us
may hereafter be chosen in conformity
with the. Constitution and laws Of the
United States.
"ANDREW JOHNSON"