Democrat and sentinel. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1853-1866, 1866-03-01

toned within reach OF every one OF Them,
and thus large force would become ne
ccssary large appropriations would there
fore be required to sustain and enforce
military jurisdiction in every county and
parish from the Potomac TO the Rio
Grandc. The condition of our fiscal af-
fairs are encouraging, but in order to sus-
tain public confidence we must practice
economy and retrenchment.
In addition 10 the objections already
stated, the fifth section of the bill pro-
poses 10 take away land from its original
owners without any legal proceedings be-
ing first had, contrary to that provision OF
the Constitution which declares that "no
person shall be deprived of life, liberty or
property without due process of law" 1t
does not appear that lands TO which this
section refers may not be owned by mi
nors or persons of unsound mind, or to
those who have been faithful to all their
obligations as citizens of the United States.
If any portion of the land is held by such
persons, it is not competent for any au-
thority 10 deprive them Of it. If, on the
other hand, it be found that the property
is liable to conliscation, even then 1t can
not be appropriated to public purposes un-
Ill by due process of law it shall have been
declared forfeited to the Government -
There are still further objections TO the
bill on grounds seriously affecting the class
of persons to whom it is intended to bring
relief. 1t will tend to keep the mind Of
the freedman in a state Of uncertain cX-
pectation, while to those among whom he
lives, it will be q source of constant ap-
prehension Undoubtedly the freedmen
should be protected, but they should be
protected by the civil authorities, especial
ly by the exercise of all the constitutional
Towers of the courts of the United States,
and of the states His condition is not
SO exposed as may at first be imagined.
lie is in a portion OF the country where
his labor cannot be we'll spared. Com
petition for his services from planters,
from those who are constructing or re-
pairing railroads or from capitalists in his
vicinity or from other states will enable
him to command almost his own terms,
he also possesses perfect right to change
his place of abode, and if, therefore, he
does not find in one community or State
a mode of life suited to his desiles or prop
er remuneration for his labors, he can
move 10 another where labor is more es-
tcemed and better rewarded. In truth,
however, each State, influenced by its
own wants and interests, will do whatev-
er is necessary and proper to retain within
It's borders all the labor that is needed for
the developemcnt of its resources. The
laws that regulate supply and demand
will MAINTAIN their force, and the wages of
labor will be regulated thereby. There
IS no danger that the great demand for la
Dor will not operate IN favor of the labor
or. Neither is sufficient consideration
given TO the ability of the freedmen to pro-
feet and take care Of themselves 1t is
no more than justice to them to believe
that rs they received their freedom with
moderation and lorbearancc they will also
distinguish themselves by their industry,
and they will soon show the world that
in q condition of freedom they are self
sustaining and capable Of selecting their
own employment and their own places of
abode Of insisting themselves on prop
er remuneration, Of establishing and main
tanning their own asylums and schools
1t is earnestly hoped that instead of was
ting away, they will, by their own efforts,
establish for themselves a condition Of
respectability and prosperity. 1t is GER
tain that they can attain 10 that condition
only through their own merits and exer-
tions. In this connection the query pre-
sents itself whether the system proposed
in the bill, will not when put into COM
plcte operation, practically transfer the
entire care, support and control of four
millions of emancipated slaves to agents,
Ovcrseers or taskmasters, who, appointed
at Washington, are TO be located in every
county and parish throughout the Uni
ted States containing freedmen and refu-
gees, and such system would certainly
tend to such concentration of power in
the Executive, as would enable him, if so
disposed, to control the action of the nu-
merous class, and Use them for the attain
ment OF his own political end. | cannot
but add another grave objection to the
bill. The Constitution imperatvely de-
clares in connection with taxation, that
every State shall have at least one Repre-
sentative, and fixes the rule for the num-
Der TO which in future every State shall
be entitled. 1t also provides that the
Senate of the United States shall be COM
posed of two Senators from each State,
and adds with peculiar force that no State
without its consent shall be deprived of
its equal suffrage in the Senate. The
original act was necessarily passed in the
absence of the States chiefly TO be affec-
ted, because their people were then con-
tumaciously engaged in the rebellion
Now the case is changed, and some at
least of the States were attending Congress
by loyal Representatives, soliciting the al
lowance of the Constitutional right of
Representatives. At the time, however,
Of tho consideration anI -,ocS;n1 oF 81