Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-08-10

.amble needs not amendment for it simply
sets forth the unchangeable principles ofthe
declaration qf independence and the .lfFae
and proper object III all eovernraent but
they faresaW thar the Nenstitsstion, thar
undef pne Sslrlitidn of affairs night accom-
plish thc Object set fafti1in tfaa pfeausbIe,
under different circumstances might totally
fail Go accomplish the desired object There
/ fore they provided for ID amendment when
eTeF. Ia the Judgment Of the people. sach
amendment became necessary for securing
the objects fer which 1t was originally franz
ed. In the preamble We viii fnd an ~useF-
ring guide i'm forming our Judgment as to
| whether amendments 10 the Constitution
are or are not proper and necessary. With
this object in view. we call attention to the
second clause Of the preamble Ito establish
Justice, = for on it al the Others depend Docs
the Constitution a. il now stands establish
Justice 2 The word justice as here used
means that GistrihutiFe justice which con-
sists In distributing to every man that night
or equality which the laws and principles Of
equality require. Is justice established
when four millions of people are denied the
protection Of the laws and the right of trial
BIZ . jury Of their peers2 T. justice estab,
6shed where oae-third Of the people IS de-
niaf voice SR the choice of their represenz
tafi~es and tine other two-thirds are permit
ted 20 speak and act for the whole and In
direef antagonism, not only to the wishes.
but co tho Eest interests of the remaining
third Verify this l. not what the Consti-
tarion was designed 70 effect bnt what it vas
designed to remedy. Yet this i the exact
condition Of the South at the present mo-
ment L. justice established where whole
class of citizens without regard 10 age or sex
J. 3isfanrhised and the benefit Of their rep
rssentati0n given e those who disfrancHlise
them2 Yet this i the condition Of every.
southern State. L justice established,
where che representative class ia one section
Of country is permitted to WELD one half
more peEer in proportion 10 numbers than
IN another? This also i the coudifion of
the South a the present time Every III
partial mind, upon a careful consideration
"a these questions, must acknowledge that
cow. and fer years past, justice Is not and
h2s NOT been established throughout the
country. Without the eft,t5Ei>Itntcrf u .i,,s
t5ct, we cannot have a more legfe union
h1r insure domestic tranquility nor provide /
for the colnnon defence, nor promote the
general welfare. nor secure The blessings Of
liberty 90 ourselves and our posteIity. 1t is
iE view ef these Facts aud far the purpose 4
q establishing justice that the FIRST and sec
ond sections Of the proposed amendment Of /
the Constitution have becn dcomed Doces-
ssry.
IT, the third section which prevents any
person. who as an executive or ius.icial officer
Of any State or the United States had pre- I
viously taken an oath to support the Cousti- /
tuition Of the United States, and afterward I
joined the rebellion or gave it aid and com.
font, from holding any Office civil OF military /
under the United States or any State. and i
to the fourth section which prevents the re-
pudiation Of tie national debt or he as
sumption Of the rebel debt, by either the /
United States or any State, no loyal man
viii for a moment hesitate TO give his fun /
sanction How can any loyal uran object 70 /
any one of the objects aimed at in an amend /
ment which is designed to carry out the
views Of the trainers of the Constitution as
set forth in the preamble thereto? This
amendment is the platform Of tho union
party for which every man viii vote, who /
helieTes in constituting the Constitution in
:he light Of the declaration Of Independence |
and amending it whenever necessary in the /
manner provided BY the Constitution itself. !