New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-12-14


Correspondence Of The n y. Tribune.
MoNfsoMEEY Dec. l566
immediately after the Legislature OF Alabama convened
MI. Drake of Madison introduced the following joint
resolution, which was referred 10 the Committee on
Federal Relations:
Resoed Nv ne Senate and House Of Representatives. 10 Gen.
ey1 AssuIy c,reosd-EIrsf. That under system OF
Government the people have the right 70 Ordaln and
establish Constitutional Cover nment and such d0yeinnrn
be altered except By IN explicit and authorized act o
Second That all the authority which this Legislature Io'.
scsses IS derived nom tne PeoPe o. Imam , h., No., 10
init the people Of Alabama alteration IN the organic law
of the state without the pevons consent Of the people
pcitv and authenticity expressed the mode prescribed IN
The Article Constitution Of Alabama authorizing amend
meuts 10 The Constitution OF the State
T1;,S Thecforc that this General Assembly elected in
~ w amendment 10 the CONSTITUTION OF the United States pro.
posed by Congress June ls and which involves radical
change in the organic law Of The State.
ton assume the right dissent 20 said proposition
OF amendment bat T the people Of the state o Ala
hama indicate their will at the polls on the election Of the
FGi That IN the opinion Of this Legislature the assent Of
the people explicitly and positively given Is as necessary 10
the altering the making OF the Federal Govern
F,ber y, tbe Constitution II necessarily follows that the hih
article OF this instrument Intended confer upon Con
rrs the power delegate the state Legislatures authority
10 alter any The fundamental principles OF the Federal end
States especially ard nuhoatiyey given but merely 70 au
thorze Congress TO propose the organ or channel through
which the dissent Of tho people should DO made
known. .,. -.
entertain the opinion set forth in the going resolutions
IL understood throughout the State that the members
Of the present General Assembly will take action on The
proposed amendment 10 the Constitution and hut liito
Opposition has heard from any quaren although the
question not before the people when the Representa-
lives elected. ~
and are by antagOnisc to the Government OF
the United States and ready 10 pursue auy conIse
which they believe conclusive 10 the interest of the
State and best calculated 20 restore harmony aud good
feeling In the Legislature, questions likely 10 produce
exciting discussions are generally avoided ana matters
relating 20 the Federal Government are handled with
extreme canton
The Committee on Federal Relations, to whom were
referred "Jont Resolutions Of the General Assembly on
the rights Of the people Of the several States comprising
the United States" reported through their Chairman tho
Hon X. 3. Lindsay the following which, with the fore
going resolutions ives laid on the tables
The resolutions being entirely argumentaye in their chaac
ter cncate many political isms and abstract principles
Of government which have always been recognized as unda
mea IN the theory OF republican system and 90 which
your Committee willingly and manlm0hly yled hcii usseh
Ye; your Committee admit but rather wholly deny that
tie conclusion which the resolutions aim TO establish In the
lion from The recognition Of any OF an abstract pn
cPes The manner Of proposing amendments TO the Cons
for the action Of the several States involved IN neither
doubt nor uncertainty Article With Of that instrument is
y the provisions the Constitution win be observed that
Congress adopt either OF two modes by when
OF Ae respective States With regard the amendment
Gently BY his RIceency the Governor Of this
state 20 the two Houses Of the present General Assem-
bly, Congress has made its election and submit
ted It In the first mode prescribed clearly and
unmstakably indicating that submission thereof
direct Of the people neither expected nor concm
plated for il reasonably occurs 10 your Committee such had
been the design wish OF purpose o. congress e ale lode
that by Convention would have been chosen and proposed
The Committee are therefore OF opinion t5a apart rom mo
tfyes OF pOpety well courtesy toward the General Gov
eminent II Is plain and papabe duty which TINS legislature
itself and the requirements Of The Federal Constitution
should promptly consider and net upon the proposed
amendment wisdom apd patriotism may direct ing ,' e
10 Me Committee the mpessiYey from behci mat
submission OF The subject 70 popular vote netheT eIpeeea
desired from the people Of Alabama and also rom thc c
that adoption such would be at once Impractical
bic and wholly fruitless Of definite results. 80.
To the Legislature last would revert the business OF raty
inc or rejecting the proposed amendment Congress mas re-
solved thus and the Legislature OF Alabama can neither dele
gate its duty transfer the exercise o. IT'S ncons N n
regard 70 any other power To ignore the subject altogether
question Of solemn nature and vitality Important
70 tho Commonwealth sh directly indirectly the grave
atrc would be in the Of the Committee derelc
ton Of duty without paiatng circumstance dsc0uteous
the people OF this state who are in no heart az mis- unctu to
be Cmbroed In political strife For these among otheI
reasons the Committee reported adversely to the adoption OF
the above resolutions.
The proposed amendment 70 the Constitution Of the
United Stster which was sent to the House Of Represents
ves by Gov Patton 10 still in the hands Of the committee
20 whom il was referred.
Mr.. Morse. the Chairman Of the committee does not
intend TO report the sameun January unless required
20 do 20 by the House ...
Members are DESTROYS 70 know the course which Con-
will adopt before they take action Or any measures
relating % Federal affairs.
A resolution was introduced Monday last in the
House 10 memoaze Congress 20 pass general bankrupt
law Aer some discussion the further consideration Of
the resolution was postponed until the 10th day OF Jsnu
ary The exhausted and Impoverished condition OF the
people OF Alabama demand immediate relief, and ell the
measures adopted by the last General Assembly have sig
naly failed