The tri-weekly standard., 1866-06-12

have been raised, new battles fought, and the
Government saved The anti-coercive policy
which, under pretext of avoiding bloodshed,
allowed the rebellion to take form and gather
force, would be surpassed in infamy by the
matchless wickedness that would now sur
Gently in rebellion. until proper precautions
shall have been taken to secure the national
faith and the national safety.
Eighth. 1t has been shown in this report
and in the evidence submitted no proof has
been afforded to Congress of constituency
in any of the so-called Confederate States,
unless we except the State of Tennessee,
qualified to elect Senators and Representa-
rives in Congress. No State constitution or
amendment to State constitution has had
the sanction of the people. All the so-caled
legislation of State conventions and Legisla-
lures has been had under military dictation
Ii the President may, at his will and under
his own authority, whether as military COM
mander or Chief Executive, qualify persons
to appoint Senators and elect Representa-
tlves, and empower Others to appoint and
elect them, he thereby practically controls
the organization of the legislative depart
ment. The constitutional form of govern
ment is thereby practically destroyed, and its
powers absorbed in the Executive. And
while your committee do not for a moment
impute to the President any such design, but
cheerfully concede to him the most patriotic
motives they cannot but look with alarm
upon precedent so fraught with danger to
the Republic.
Ninth. The necessity of providing ade-
quate safeguard for the future before restor-
ing the insurrectionary States to a participa-
ton in the direction of public affairs is ap-
parent from the bitter hostility to the Gov
ernment and people of the United States yet
existing throughout the conquered territory,
proved incontestibly by the testimony of
many witnesses and by indisputable facts.
Tenth. The conclusion of your committee,
therefore, is that the so-caled Confederate
States are not at present entitled to represen-
tation in the Congress of the United States
that before allowing such representation adj
equate security for future peace and safety
should be required that this can only be
found in such changes of the organic law as
shall determine the civil rights and privil-
eges OF all citizens in all parts of the Repub-
lie, shall place representation OH an equita-
bic basis, shall fix stigma upon treason,
and protect the loyal people againt future
claims for the expenses incurred in sup
port of frebellion and for manumitted slaves,
together with an express grant of power in
Congress to enforce those provisions. To
this end they offer a joint resolution for a.
mending the Constitution of the United
States and the two several bills designed to
Before closing this report your committee beg
leave to state thBt specific recommendations SUBJ
mitted by them are the result of concession, after
long and careful comparison of conflicting opin-
ions. Upon question of such magnitude inf
nitely important it is to the future of the Re-
public 1t not to be expected that sll should
think alike. Sensible of the imperfections of the
scheme, your committee submit it to Congress
as the best they could agree upon, in the hope
that its imperfections may be cured, its deficien-
cies supplied by legislative wisdom, and that
when finally adopted it my tend to restore peace
and harmony to the whole country, and to place
our republican institutions on a more stable
foundation.
w. P. FEssENDEN,
JAMES w. GRIMES,
IRA HARRIS,
j. NJ. HOWARD
GEO. w. WILLIAMS
THADDEUS STEVENS,
JUSTIN S. MORRILL,
JOHN A. BINGHAM,
ROSCOE CONKLING,
GEO. S. BOUTWELL,
The report is signed by all the Republican men,
bers of the committee, except E.B. Washburne
and Heerp I. Blow, both of whom are absent
from the city.
The dissenticnts are: Senator JOHNSON, and
GRIDER and ROGERS.
The joint resolution referred to by the commit
tee passed the Senate on Friday, by vote of SO
to II. The amendments proposed by the joint re-
solution follows
Resolsed by the Senate and House of Reoresenta-
tires Of the United States Of america in Cou0rexs as
.
That the following article be proposed to the Lee
gislatures of the several States, amendment
TO the Constitution OF the United States, which,
when rati, d by three-fourths OF said Lepisla-
lures, shall be valid as part of the Constitution
namely:
ARTICLE
SEC. l. All persons born naturalized in the
United States, and subject to the Jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens of the United States wherein
they reside No State shall make enforce any
aw which shall abridge the privilege or immuni-
cs of citizens of the United States nor shall
my State deprive any person OF life, liberty,
property, without due process of law deny
o any person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.
sec.2. Representatives shall be apportioned among
he several States according to their respective
numbers, counting the whole number of persons
Excluding Indians not taxed But whenever the
light to vote at election for the choice of cleo
ors for President and Vice President, represeu-
atives in Congress, executive and judicial Officers,
'r members OF the Legislature thereof, is denied
o any OF the male Inhabitants of such State be-
ng twenty one years of age, and citizens of the
United States, or in any way abridged, except for
in rebellion or other crime the basis
# representation therein shall be reduced in the
which the number of such male citi-
ems shall bear to the whole number of male citi-
ems shall bear to the whole number of male citi-
ems twenty-one years OF age in such State
Sec. B. That no person shall be Senator or Re-
in Congress- or elector of President
nd Vice President, or hold any office, civil or
Military, under the United Statcs under any
tate, who, having previously taken oath as a
lcmber of Congress, or as an officer of the Unit
d States, or member of any State legisla
lre, or as an executive or judicial officer of any
tate, to support the Constitution of the United
tates, shall have engaged in insurrecton or re-
ellion against the same, or given aid and comfort
, the enemies theseof But Congress may, by a
ote of two-thirds of each House, remove such
liabilities.
Sec. f. The validity of the public debt of the
nited States authorized by law, including debts
lcurred for payment of pensions and bounties
'r services in suppressing insurrection rebel
on, shall not be questioned. But neither the
nited States nor any State shall assume or pay
ny debt or obligation incurred in aid of insur-
,ction or rebellion against the United States or
ny claim for the loss emancipation of any
aves; but all such debts, obligations, and claims
nall be held illegal and void.
Sec. 5. The Congress shall have power to en-
rce by appropriate legislation the provisions of
lis article.
1.-THE joint resolution now goes tothe House
II concurrence.
A lady who had received a severe bite in
lie arm frc.n dog, went to DIR. Abernathy,
ut knowing his aversion to hearing any
of particulars she merely uncover