The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-06-06
Res.oration-Mr. Howard,s Amendment.


some days since, and were sent to the Senate
for its action But consultations took place
afterwards between the majority in Congress,
and the result was a determination to make
some changes in the report of the committee.
Accordingly Mr.. Howard, of Michigan, NOV
ed certain amendments in the Senate, which
were adopted. We give the proceedings on
the subject as follows:
After some further discussion the joint
resolution from the committee on reconstruc-
ton was taken up, the question being on the
amendment of Mr.. johnson striking out the
third section.
The question was taken, and the amend
ment agreed to, by yeas 40, nays none.
The section struck out is as follows:
Until the 4th day of July, 1870, all per-
sons who voluntarily adhered to the late in
surrection, giving it aid and comfort, shall
br excluded from the right to vote for men,
bers of Congress, and for electors for Presi-
dent and Vice President of the United
States.
Mr.. Howard offered a number of amend
ments, as follows:
Insert at the beginning of the first section
the words, "all persons born in the United
States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof
are citizens of the United States, and of the
States wherein they reside" making the first
section read
All persons born in the United States and
subject to the jurisdiction thereof are citi-
zens of the United States, and of the States
wherein they reside No State shall make
or enforce any law which shall abridge
the privileges or immunities of citizens of the
United States; nor shall any State deprive
any person of life, liberty, or property, with
son within its jurisdiction the equal protec
ton of the laws.
The amendment proposed to the second
section makes it read as follows:
SEC. g. Representatives shall be appor-
toned among the several States which may
| be included within this Union according to
their respective numbers, counting the whole
number of persons in each State, excluding
Indians not taxed. But whenever in any
! State the elective franchise shall he denied
| to any portion of its male inhabitants being
citizens of the United States, not less than
twenty-one years of age, or in any other way
abridged. except for participation in rebel
ton in such State shall be reduced in the
proportion which the number of such male
| citizens shall bear to the whole number of
male citizens not less than twenty-One years
of age in such State.
The following is proposed in place of the
| third section, which was struck out as above
noted:
No person shall be Senator or Represen-
tative in Congress or elector of President or
| Vice President, or hold any office, civil or
military, under the United States. or under
any State, who having previously taken an
oath as a member of Congress or officer of
the United States, or as a member Of any
| State Legislature, or as an executive or judi
cial officer of any Stale, to support the Con-
stitution of the United States shall have en-
gagged in Instruction or rebellion against the
same, or given aid or comfort to the enemies
thereof, but Congress may, by a vote of two
thirds of each House, remove such disability.
The following is proposed as
SEC T. All obligations of the United
States incurred in suppressing instruction,
or in defence of the Union, or for payment of
bounties or pensions incident thereto, shall
remain inviolate.
Section 4, i'll the original resolution, it is
proposed to make section 5, and to read as
follows: Neither the United States nor any
State shall assume or pay any debt or obi
CATION incurred in aid of insurrection OF re-
bellion against the United States, or any
claim for compensation for emancipation of
any slaves, and such debts and obligations
and claims shall be forever held illegal and
void
SEC Congress shall have power to enforce
by appropriate legislation the provisions of
this article
1t is proposed, first, that all citizens of the
be alike protected in life, liberty, and prop
erty secondly, that representatives shall be
based on population, but that if the right of
suffrage shall he denied to eolored men they
shall not be counted; thirdly, that certain
persons shall be excluded from the right to
hold office, unless such disability shall be
| removed by a two?thirds vote of Congress;
fourthly, that the public debt and bounties
and pensions shall be secured and made in
violate; filthy, that Congress shall have
power to enforce these proposed amend
ments.
The third section provides that no person
shall hold any Office under the United States,
or under any State, who, having served in
the federal Congress, or in any State Legis-
lature, or as an executive or judicial officer
Of any State, or as an officer of the United
States, and taken an oath as such to support
| tbo Constitution of tho Tinted Statec after
wards engaged in the rebellion, giving aid
and comfort to the enemies of the United
States. Twothirds of Congress may remove
this disability. The question therefore is,
whether certain persons shall be excluded
from office and The Union shall be restored :;
or whether, on account of these persons, and
because we may not want to exclude them
from office, we are to remain indefinitely out
OF the Union. The people cannot hesitate
one moment as to their choice in this mat
ter. The ehaff is to be separated from the
wheat; and if any of the wheat should be
about to be blown off with the chaff, Con-
gress will interpose as chief winnower and
save every sound grain.
1t is our deliberate opinion that the above
terms are the very best the Southern States
can obtain. If these terms should be reject
ed, heavier and more stringent terms will be
required. Delay in this matter will be dan
gerous.
1t is provided by the Constitution that
|