Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1866-07-04
RECONSTRUCTION,
Final Report OF the Joint Committee on Re-
construction, Submitted TO the {. $. Senate.
Jane sin.
ICoutiuus8 from last week.

ltCutiuuS1 from last week.
THE FREEDNEN-BAs!s OF REPRESENTATION
Il was undeniable that the war into
which they had plunged the country had
materially changed their relations to the
people Of the loyal states Slavery has
been abolished bv q constitutional amend
ment 4 large portion Of the population
had become instead cf mere 5hattels, free
men and citizens Through all the conflict
those had remained true and loyal, and
had in large numbers fought on the side
of the Union. 1t was impossible "a adams
don these without securing them their
rights a lreemen and citizens The whole
civilized world have cried out against
such base ingratituds, and the bare idea
is offensive 70 all right thinking men
Hence 1t becomes important to inquire
what could be done 10 secure their rights
civil and political. lt was evident to your
committee that adequate security ~Cu
only be found in appropriate c5tlstitution-
al provisions BY an original provision
OF the constitution, representation is based
on the whole number of free persons in
each state, and threeftths Of all other
persons When all become free, repre-
sentation OF all necessarily follows As
. a consequence the inevitable effect Of the
rebellion would be to increase the polI.l-
: cal power IN the inSurrectionary states,
whenever they should be allowed to re
sUme their position as states OF the Union.
. * representation Is. by the constitution.
based upou population, your committee
did not think it advisable to recommend q
change OF that basis. The exercise of rep
reeGnlatiOn necessarily resulting from the
abolition of slavery was considered the
most import1nt element in the question
arising out of the changed condition Of
affairs, and the necessity for some funda-
mental action in this regard seemed In
peratiye. II appeared to your committee
tha; the rights of the persons by whom
the ba-is oflep-esentation had been thus
increased should be recognized by the
general Government, while slaves they
were not considered as having any rights
civil or political Ii did not seem lust OF
, proper that all the political advantages
derived from their becoming free should
: lie confined to their former masters who
fought against the Union and withheld
, from themselves, who had always beer
loyal -laverv. by building up a ruling
and dominant class, had produced sriri
Of oligarchv adverse 70 republican insti
.u-iCns which finally inaugurated civi
! war. The tendency Of conti1Uinr tn
: domination Of such q class By leaving !
il the exclusive possession Of politica
power would be 70 encourage the sam
suiri. and lead to similar result Doubt
( were entertained whether Congress la
. the pcver, even under the amended con
= stitution, 70 prescribe the qualifications G
/. voters in : state, or could act directly o
r. the sutic-: II Was doubtful IN the opin
] ion of YOUR committee whether the state
f would consent to surrender power the
J had aiwavs exercised. and 70 which the
we're attached As the best, If not th
only method OF suTmountJng all difficulty
' aud one emineutly jgst and proper in i
u self, your committee comes 70 the conc]C
:, -lo- shas political power should be Pc:
'-s.ssi Ia g! IA S.a.as sTs ..I7 = 2Topo.