The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-02-22

rom planters, from those who are con
, structing or repairing railroads, or from
, capitalists III his vicinage, or from other
! states, will enable him to command
almost his own terms. He also possesses
perfect right to change his place of
in one community or state mode of lii,
suited to his desires, or proper remunera.
i ton for his labor, he can move t,
4 another where labor is more esteemed
and better rewarded. In truth, how
ever, each state, induced by its owl
wants and interests, will do what is ne
cessary and proper to retain within IL
borders all the labor that Is needed TO
the development OF its resources. The
laws that regulate supply and demand
will maintain their force, and the wages
| of the labOrer will be regulated thereby
| THERE'S no dangerthat 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.
| II is no more than justice to them to
believe that, as they have received their
freedom with moderation and forbear-
ance, SO they will distinguish themselves
| show the world that in condition OF
| freedom they are selfsustaining and
capable Of selecting their own employ
ment and their own places of abode; of
| insisting for themselves on n proper re-
muneration, and OF establishing and
| maintaining their own asylums and
schools. 1t is earnestly hoped that in.
stead Of wasting away, they will, by
their own efforts, establish for them
selves a condition Of responsibility and
prosperity. 1t is certain that they can
attain to that condition only through
their own merits and exertions. In this
connection the query presents itself,
| whether the system proposed by the
| bill was not, when put into complete
operation, practically transfer the entire
care, support and control of four mil
Hons of emancipated slaves to agents,
overseers or taskmasters, who, appointed
at Washington, are to be located in
every county and parish throughout the
| United States containing freedmen and
refugees. Such system would inevita-
bly, tend to such q concentration OF
| power in the Executive as would enable
| him, If so disposed to control the action
| of numerous class and use them for
| the attainment Of his own political ends.
/ cannot but add another very grave
objection to this bill. The constitution
limperatively declares, in connection
with taxation, that each state shall have
at least one representative, and fixes the
| rule for the number to which in future
times each state shall be entitled. 1t
also provides that the Senate of the
Quilted States shall be composed of two
senators from each state, and adds with
peculiar force that no state, without its
| consent, shall be deprived of its equal
suffrage in the Senate. The original act
was necessarily passed in the absence OF
the states chiefly to be affected, because
their people were then contumaciously
engaged in the rebellion. Now the case
is changed, and some, at least, Of the
states are attending CJngress by loyal
representatives, soliciting the allowance
of the constitutional right of represen-
tation. At the time, however, of the
consideration and the passing of the
bill, there was no Senator or Represen-
tative i'm Congress from the eleven states
which are to be mainly affected by its
provisions. The very fact that reports
were and are made against the good dis
position If the country, is an additional
reason why they need and should have
representatives of their own in Congress
to explain their condition, reply to ac-
cusations and assist by their local know
ledge in the perfecting of measures
Immediately affecting themselves; while
the liberty of deliberatiOn would then
be free, and Congress would have full
power TO decide according to its judg
ment. There could be no objection
urged that the states most Interested had
not been permitted to he heard. The
principle ~ firmly fixed in the minds of
the American people that there should
| be no taxation without representation.
Great burdens are now to be borne by all
the county, and We may best demand
| that they stall be borne without muir
muir when they are voted by majority
Of the representatives Of all the people.
/ would not interfere with the unques-
| tionable right of Congress to Judge.
each house for itself, of the elections,
returns and qualifications of its own
members. hut that authority cannot
he construed as including the right to
shut out i'm time of peace any state from
the representation to which it is entitled
by the constitution. AT present all the
people of eleven states are excluded.
Those who were most faithful during
the war not less shan Others. The state
of Tennessee, for instance, whose autho
rites engaged in resbefiioB, was restored
to all her constitutional relations to the
Union by the patrio tism and energy o.
her injured and betra yed people. Before
the war was brought to termination
they had placed thems elves in relations
with the general government, had es
taolished state government of theii
| own, and, as they were net included i'm
the emancipation proclan ration, they
by their own act, had amended theiI
constitution so as to abolish slavery
within the limits of their state. / know
no reason why the state of Tennessee
for example, should not fully enjoy al
her constitutional relations to the, United
| States. .ff ~ 7
The President of the United State
stands towards the country in q some
what different attitude from that of an,
member Of Congress chosen frolu sin
gle district or state. The President is
chosen by the people of all the states
Eleven states are not, at this time, re-
presented in either branch of Congress
1t would seem to be his duty on all pro.
per occasions to present their just claims
70 Congress. There always will he diff
ference of opinion in the community
and individuals may be guilty of trans.
gressions of the law. But these do no
constitute valid objections against tn,
right of state to representation. n
would In nowise interfere with the dis
erection OF Congress with regard TO the
qualifications of members: but L hold il
my duty 10 recommend to you in the
interests of peace, ann in the interests OF
tne Union, the admission of every state
N I'm. 4 n -