Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-05-03
RUTLAND HERALD.
TUESDAY, MAY l, 1865.
The Congressional nuddie-A streak
OF Light.

the ltIOWluS IalaSIaph
"M.. Edmunds' powerful speech
againsJ the bill 10 protect United States
officers against punishment for offences
committed during the war, as being
both unconstitutional and unjust, ana
his attempt TO have it so amended as 10
apply only TO localities where martial
law prevailed at the time, created the
impression that he would give more
consideration 10 the constitution than
many Of our congressman are inclined !
to since the war, and would be pretty !
certain TO resist any attempt to assume |
powers not specifically granted in that !
instrument. Whether he agrees with |
Mr.. Sumner in asserting the right OF |
Congress to dictate to the reclaimed |
States, rs well as to new states, IN the |
matter Of suffrage, does not appear rom
ANYTHING he said in the debate. Senator
Lane OF Indiana expressly denied the
right of Congress to NEEDLE with SUI
frage in any state and said he would not
vote for the exclusion of the Southern
States because of their denial OF suffrage
to the negro. 1t may be fairly inferred
that the Senator'S who are in favor OF
equal suffrage and yet voted for Color
ado have at least constitutional DOUBTS
as to the power and right OF Congress
to dictate terms of suffrage to any state,
whether IL has been under reDel cohtrol
or not. There is another doubt, gong
still deeper, which is whether even three
fourths OF the states have the right 10
adopt an amendment to the constitution
which takes from the states the rights
snecially reserved in that instrument;
whether so radical change would not
be a release rom the compact OF such
states as should not consent to II.
To add 10 the confusion occasionec by
the coutiic. Of opinion as Indicated IN
the above extract, it is stated that the
Joint reconstruction committee was
snagged and likely to go to pieces, so
conflicting were the various opinions as
entertaire] sY its fifteen members. MIR.
Boutwell, d Massachusetts, strove Tor an
agreement upon the basis OF amending
the Constitution so as to count out the
negroes where they are not allowed to
vote, but Mr.. Stevens said if the COM
mittee could not go beyond that and
propose equal suffrage in some positive
shape, they had better adjourn sine die.
The difficulty was further complicated by
the determination of the New York can
gressmeu who were in caucus, last
"Wednesday evening, that a positive policy
of reconstruction must be proposed by
Congress al once; that the Tennessee
members should be admitted with
out delay; and that universal suf-
frage cannot De taken up at present.
But a streak of light, and only glim-
ering streah, comes upon us from Wash
ington The imposing committee of
fifteen ~ecoDstructionists has finally
made a report, in which they recon-
mend series of five amendments to
the national constitution, covering the
following points
First-Forbids distinction il civil
rights by state legislation on account OF
race or color.
Second-Bases representation on pop
ulation, but excludes classes excluded
from suffrage in any state.
DISTINGUISHES till after 1870,
80 far a. voting for Federal officers is
concerned, a j who took part in the rebel
lion.
Fourth-Repudiate rebel debts.
Fifth-Gives Congress power to legis-
late for the enforcement Of these amend
ments.
These propositions are more than can
be secured as amendments, we fear.
The first would seem to supercede the
recent Congressional enactment. If the
civil rights bill has really become law,
and can be enforced, we see no necessity
for this amendment. If that act can
not be enforced, we then see no way by
which three fourths Of the States can be
induced to ratify it, should its proposal
be passed by the required majority in
Congress.
The second seems to us as eminently
lust. The Southern States while Slavery
existed, were entitled to count three
fifths of their slaves in the basis of rep
resentation. Now all being free, all
freedmen would, by "the Constitution
as it is" be counted, although not one OF
them had the right Of ballot. Whatever
may be thought OF that provision in the
Constitution, the injustice of now giving
the South the benefit Of all the freedmen
as basis OF representation without &C
cording them the right Of ballot, is too
apparent for discussion. This appears
to us the great evil to be avoided; but
Aoto to remedy it--what would be the
safest and surest method of reaching
it, we are not prepared to say.
The third proposition seems just in
itself-but how far it could be carried,
is an important question. 1t is doubt
full if any of the Southern States could
be persuaded to adopt it, 1t is doubt
full, even, if the necessary majority in
Congress can be secured.