The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-02-21

l.,
law. It does not appear that the lands to Z
which this section refers may NOS 90 owned :
nv mipoYs or persons of unsound mind, or by
tbose who have been faithful to oil their obli-
cations as citizens of the United States. Ii
any portion of the land is held by sucn per-
sons, 1t is not competent for any authority 10 i
deprive them of it. If, on the other haod, it
he found that the property be liable to con
6scation. even then it cannot be appropriated
to uublic purposes, until by one process OF
Law IL shslI have been declared forfeited BY
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 reiiei.
1t will tend to keep the mind OF the ireeo
man in a state of uncertain expectation ana
restlessness, while to those among whom he
live, it will be a source OF constant and vague
apprehepsion Undoubtedly, the freedmen
should be protected, but they should be pro-
tected by the civil authorities, especially by
the exercise of all the constitutional powers
of the courts of the United States. His con
dition is not so exposed as may at hrst be I'M
agined. He is in portion OF the country
where his labor cannot be spared. Competi- |
ton for his services from planters, from those
who are constructing or repairing railroads,
or from CAPITALISTS in his vicinity, or from |
other states will enable him to command al
most his own terms. He also possesses a
perfect right to change his place OF abode
| and if. therefore he does not find In one COM
| munity or stale a mode OF life suited to his
desires, 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 It's own
wants and interests, will do what IL necessary
and proper to retain within it's borders all
| the labor that is needed for the development
| of it's resources. The laws that regulate sup
! ply and demand will maintain their force and
| the wages of the laborer will be regulated
thereby There is no danger that the great
demand for labor will not operate In favor OF
! the laborer. Neither is sufficient considera-
ton given to the ability of the freedmen to
protect and take care OF themselves. It's no
| more than Justice to them to believe that as
thew have received their freedom with mod
Grafton and forbsarance, they will distin-
guish themselves by their industry and
| soon show the world that In a condition of
| freedom, they are self-sustaining and capable
| of selecting their own employment and their
own places of abode, of insisting for them
| selves On a proper remuneration, and OF es-
| tablishing and maintaining their own asy-
lumEs and schools. 1t is earnestly hoped
| that instead of wasting away they will, by
their efforts establish tor themselves a condi-
ton of responsibility and property. 1t is
certain that they can attain to that cOndi-
| ton only through their own merits and exer-
| tons.
| In this connection, the query presents it's
| elf: Whether the system proposed by the bill
4! will not when put into complete operation,
| practically transfer the entire care, support
and control of 100000 of emancipsted
slaves TO agents, overseers or task masters
who, appointed at Washington, are to be 10.
Gated IN every county aud parish throughout
81 Init aH fosa min ms ~
| refugees. Such a system would inevitably
| tend to such a concentration OF power IN the
| executive as would enable him, If so disposed
to control the action of a numerous class,
and use them for the attainment of his own
ends.
! l cannot but add another very grave objec-
| tiOn 10 this bill The constitution mpera-
lively declares in connection with taxation
that each state shall have at least one repre-
| sentative, and fixes the rule for the mum Der
| 60 which in future times each state shall be
entitled 1t also provides that the senate of
the United States shall be composed of two
senators from each state and adds, with pc
culiar force, that mo state without its con
sent, shall be deprived of its equal suffrage in
the senate" The original act WAS necessari-
ly passed in the absence Of the states chiefly
TO be affected, because their people were then
consumaclously engaged in the rebellion
OF the states are sonding to congress loysl
; representatives soliciting the allowance of the
constitutional right of representation. At the
time, however. of the consideration and pas
sage of the BILL there was no senator or rep
ressntative in congress from the IL states
which are to be mainly affected by its pro-
visions. The very fact that reports were and
ere made against the good disposition of the
country is an additional reason why they
= hr,-n ia A.
own in congress, 10 explain their condition,
reply to accusations, and assist, by their 10
cal knowledge, in the psrfeoting of measures
Immediately affecting themselves.
While the liberty of elaboration would then
be free, aud congress would have full power ac-
| cording to its judgement, there could be no OBJ
lection urged that the states most interested had
not been permitted to be heard. The principle
is firmly fixed in the minds of the American peo-
| pie that there should be taxation without re-
presentation. Great burdens are now to be
bcrae 10y all the country, and we may best de-
maI:d that they shall be born without murmer
when they are voted by majority of the rspre-
i, sentatives of all the people.
! | would not interfere with the unquestonab e
right OF congress to Judge-each house for itself
of the elections, returns and qualifications of
its own members; but that authority cannot be
construed as including the right to shut out, in
time OF peace, any state from the representation
to which it is entitled by the constitution At
present all the people of IL 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 re-
| belllon, was restored to all her constitutional
relations to the Union by the patriotism and en-
ergy of her injured and betrayed people. Be
fore the war was brought to a termination, they
had placed themselves in relations with the gen.
eral government had established state govern
mens of their own, and, as they we're not
included in the emancipation proclamation, they,
, by their own act have amended their constitu-
ton so as to abolish slavery within the limits of