Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-12

suti0n.Ts ..ta esf asad ,srs1 -
/ But when certain men and parties IN Ger,
tain localities in the Northern States turnea
abclitionists and fanatics, monomanAaes-
for parties, communities, and even nations
became insane as we'll as individsais upon
the condition of negro slavery n me south
ern Statss--it was one OF their standing co
iections and charges, that the southern S,el
STATES had their power augmented IN ton-
eress by reason Of counting three-hitns OF tne
: aves In the basis of apportioning hepresen-
tatiyes; and for that, if for no other reason,
the institution should be abolished. lfey
were repeatedly told, that In that view oi tne
ease the abolition ofslayery would material
" augment the representative strength IN
Gcuaress Of the Southern States This point
was once clearly stated, fully eiaDorated ana
conclusiyelyI demonstrated in the House ci
Renresentatiyes, some years since, by An
drew johnson, the present President oil the
ITn;ted States. Whatever the epeople OF the
Southern States have lost by the abolition
of slavery. as individuals, a. the Constitu-
t;on now Is. they have certainly gained very
considerably in political power and ength
in the House of Representatives. s.r
fTnder the rule. or basic of apportionment
as rre<cribed In the Constitutioe, Of the
2 a5o 53l slaves in the Southern States,
tRree.fifths. being 2,S703l9, were mel ded,
and two-6ftAs, being ], $50, ,2I2, were exciud-
ed from the account in ascertainlng the
whole number Of representative population
in all the States 4. ,vss4 .,.f..
Had slavery been abolished before the APP
portionfaent of Representatives under the
e;gbth census. taken in 1860, the result
vo,,5 have been materially different. in
thai event. instead of excluding two-fitths,
$50 2l2 former slaves, now freedmen, the
entire free population Of all classes, eolors,
and condition. except Indians not taxed,
would have been included The Constitu..
ton declares that the Representatives shall
be apportioned among the several states IN
the Union according to their respective
numbers. which shall be ascertained by add
| ing 70 the whole number Of free persons, M
Guiding those bound 20 service for term OF
wears. and excluding Indians not taxed,
| three-fifths of all otherpersons. Slavery nav,
ing been abolished, the latter clanse Is VOID
| and Of no effect, for there are no such other
persons in the States to whom Il can be ap-
plied. Henceforth the basis OF apportion-
| ment Of Representatives among the states
| of the Union, must be the whole number OF
| free persons. This is clear, and that must
| be the rule until that provision shall have
beenlamended as provided in the instrument
| itself Had slavery been abolished before
| the last apportionment, the whole number
| Of free persons within the States would have
been ascertained as follows: .l
Free white ~ 81
Free coiored. 7o.io
Free civilized o.os o.
Free freedmen, colorcd.. s,soO,oo
i ~ af. ~ satl...4fi. Ai- -. =.
Total population. ..-3l, l4s.Ol
This number divided by two hundred an'
| fortv-one. the number of members composing
the House Of Representatives, gives, one n'n
olred and tl0enty-aire thogsand tsue Altadred an
/ Joryyfpe (129, ,245) as the ratio OF representa-
ton under the census Of 1850 Upon ina
| basis and with that ratio the Southern states
/ when slavery existed, would have been en-
titled to twelve Representatives more tnai
they are entitled TO and were assigned U
them upon the census returns OF lSoO, unde
the provisions of the constitution for the ap
pointment of Representatives among IN
States. This would have been the inevitabl
result and effect Of the abolition Of saver
had Il been effected before the eighth censu
had been taken and Representatives appol
toned in pursuance Of it as prescribed D
the constitution No ingenuity or cunnn
could have prevented it. And it IS one
the results growing out of the amendment
the constitution Of the United States aoolisi
4 ing slavery.
While the abolition mind was occupied b
the single idea of the extinction OF SLAYER,
this result was not anticipated or fully rea
ICED, as following the consummation 81 tne
cherished one idea.
But. now that the deed has been done-tf
thing accomplished-the cry against slavei
Is a dead issue, and the fanatics have tim
for a little reflection and consideration
the resulting political advantages 10 u
former slave States and already have the
set about divising means to coumteract an
. nrevent the inevitable result of their actic
and success. Some Of the leaders OF q
party oppose the admission of Represent
, lives. from the States lately in rebellion,
their rightful seats in Congress, until sue
: States shall have first secured 10 the form
, slaves now freedmen within their respeeti'
! borders, the right of suffrage,
Others. and among them the New OF
| Herold. assails the provision Of the Cons
/ | tution which prescribes the rule for the a
, | nortionment of Representatives among y
! States. 1t is all wrong and never was rigl
E II should be changed by amendment lie
3 what it says: 4fs ana ~
: ..In truth. this whole subject Of apporticnme
! ueeds revision and amendment and VIII douoti'
receive il when Congress fairly settles aown
work. and disposfs OF some o.ner !, = ibe !,
! | and proper plan would be to base the nuhioef
Representatives IN the House upon the actt
number Of voters IN each State, as sss eesn ~
t GENTLY proposed in some quarters. Justice Hoa
|. thus be done to all sections Tor sotsfs a''ne
: entitled to representation no
Noue. but voters, are represented
! the popular branch Of Congress. u
rnle prescribed in the Constitute
/, / before quoted at length, is the basis
7 a,portionment Of Representatives among !
> several States. The Representatives are
signed or apportioned to the State. The
ters az the State constitute the political 20
or of the State. The Constitution OF I
{ IJnited States provides that Representati'
: in Congress shall be chosen every seco
e wear by the people of the several States a
the electors in each State shall have
qualifications requisite for electors Of
!. most numerous branch OF the State Legis
= tnre. Each State determines for itself IN
" pendent Of all other States and persons,
- qualifications Of its own voters. 10 depr
: them of this right, in any manner whstes
!. would be virtually to annihilate all ~
- - Government and concentrate all power IN
- central government. 80
y The apportionment OF Representa-
y nnou actual voters, would probably be IN
=. and proper for State; but would be "o
I. than wrong, under any aspect OF aiiairs
- less the qualifications OF voters should =
" or A. the same time be prescribed and ms
ae ,,.:e,~v. tI,rouohout all the states. 10
u nort;on Representatives upon actual vot'
= each State retaining is present right
se nrescribe the qualification Of their respect
- voters, would perhaps be the most uneq
=. and unfair rule that could be devised;
- might call into requisition the sharp pr
Il tees Of the Southerners," as well as the e
m ming Of the Yankee, 70 provide means !,
= the augmentation Of the power on 1n
II States, by an increase Of Representation
IL Congress through the medium OF exten'
ne sufFraee-an increase Of voters There
"a no natural limits to the right Of voting.
ne ruie, prescribed upon that subject are
p ventionaI or arbitrary. One State mn
az confer the right to vote upon strong min.
y women. another might make voters Of co
ad men. and another might confer the n
10 vote upon all who are subject 70 do N
n t;a dufv-and finally more OF less Of
~ Statas. probably in n short time, all
states would make the right Of suffrage
!. g yrysaI. 30 be exercised by every one, with
"a condition and regardless OF age, sex or 60
Things nsorc unreasonable and inProha
L. have been done BY parties in their lns
- careeer and lust for power.
- The rebellion has been suppressedr-
- 4 w.r IA ower Siayerv has been ab0flshe