The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-02-16

that extent. III a nccSNFitI ''''"'NN'"
tax ,tion and representation applies 10 tne
individuals in State, thar u MS apphcauon :"
I'm ,nnIi,,tinn which our ancestors never
o, |. ot IA they applied il TO communities, mot
3, ,ndiyiduals-I should like 10 have him tell
me why every female that is taxed ought not
to vote.
Sir, all thu question with regard to tho
ri,it i, on. aitor all. in my Judgment, to bs
w;-.ly considered by every State. You cannot
s,ttlc it upon any minute principle, becauss
thu conditions III tho States vary. In one
State one rule may bs beneficial, in another an
other. The only question is whether tho law
u jist, and whether in the rules that are made
In regard to il there is nothing that is at war
with the great principle which lies at the ioun'
ci.ion Of our Government, that all men arc
AMI ought 10 DO equal. agree with the hon
CrSblo senator from Massachusetts,. that a caste
exclusion is entirely contrary to the spirit OF
oUs Government, or Of any Republican form OF
Government.
Mr.. Pessenden argues against tho proposition
10 mako legal voters basis Of representation,
because legal voters are not the only people OF
State within the meanin; OF tho Consultation.
IL would hold out IN inducement to run the
blot to an unreasonable extent, and il would
rr vent. as in Missouri, any State which wish
cd to deprive rebels from voting, from doing so
without losing their representation, and per-
hips lead to a repeal Of all tes, oaths and res
~ ~ laws. Recurring to tho amendment pro
prs,d by the Committee, he says:
Il will be noticed that the amendment which we
have thus presented has one good quality It pre-
Of tt.RrR
leaves that matter precisely where the COnstitu-
ton placed II in the first instance; It makes no
changes in that respect IL violates no prejudice
IL violates feeling. Every State Is represented
40 ;orling To- its population with this distinction
thu IL State says that II has portion, class,
which Is not ft To DC representei--anl II IL Tor
the State H. decide-it shall not be represented (;
that Is ALL II has another good point u u equal
in its operation all persons In every State are TO
be counted nobody is 10 he rejected. With the
very triiiing exception fxed by the original Con-
s''tuton, all races, cOlors, nations, languages
nm denominations form the basis.
but, sir. the great excellence 1T it-and think
IL - an excelenco-is. that II accomplishes init
~ lily what we may not have the power tn arcum-
p'ish directly. II We cannot put into the Consti-
tuition, owing to existing prejudices and existing
IN ,titutons, an entire exclusion Of all class Ills
ti,ctions, the next question H. eau we accomplish
that work In any other way!
am one Of those who have always thought II
WIS better to govern men by their own convic-
tons ot their own interests than by force. Even
II we hal the power to pass the other resolution,
| an hy no means certain that all the good We eI-
pct from II would follow, although IL meets my
wishes and my views. But here VIC arr the Con-
s'hutiOn 10 stands says that NIL persons shall he
cIuntel ia orler 10 form basis Of representa-
ton. We propose to alter that, AMI We propose
o. alter il in orler to avoid great evil aud ac-
c"mplish great good. In attempting to make
that alteration, we naturally inquire IA To- our
power, what can We dot The opinion II that
xhat have specified cannot be doue, The thing
c ,nnot he done in that way. The question then
H., can IL be done In any way, AMI II In any way,
iC any amendment To the Constitution would he
acceptable 10 the people which has n tendency 10
accomplish the great result that we aim at, and Is
not in itself otherwise Objectionable, why not
itks thatl AS look at II we ought to be prac-
teal.
do not think II my duty rs legislator in this
Hall TO trouble myself much about what are CALI
81 distractions. Nv constituents did not send
ne here to PHILOSOPHERS. They ent me here to
ajt, To End out, IL could. what is hest for the
cool OF the whole, anl to do II, AMI they are not
~ short sighted 10 resolve that II they cannot
dp what they would, therefore they will DO moth
ing. Then let Us look and see II this proposition
which we have advanced to you has not n teuden.
cy Ia produce the great result that wish To ac-
cbmplish. speak Ia our friends, not to those
Who are opposed To NIL efforts Of this kind. l
sDesk To those who are willing To lo something.
Sir, 10 says to these people, tn all people mint
YOU, that all men should be equal IL says 10 all
the people Of the United States, "You shall be
represented IN Congress, but rs VIC fear that you
may be governed by narrow views, rs VIC fear that
You will do injustice to portion of the people
under your charge, and that YOU will not carry
cut the great principles whi,h lie ut the founda-
ton Of the Constitution itself. and OF all free and
republican government, rs was 50 eloquently
shown by the honorable Senator from Massschu-
sits yesterday, VIC say To you that you shalt not
svo political power any further than you show
ny your action that you are disposed tn let all I'M
der your charge participate In IT," Is not that
Erc,t principlel Is Il not worth something by
v-ay Of inducemcnt! II "mean compromise,
fr so IL was Observation-Disclosures the committee
fifteen and the House Of Representatives
when they passed. II placed themselves in the stu-
s,ion Of Pontus Plate, with the negro for the
saviour Of the world and the people Of the United
ts,cs for Barshhas, rs designated by the honora-
lie Senator. Why. sir, expected to hear him in
10 next breath 60 further than that and say that
What with the Constitution OF tho United States
nd the Constitutions Of the States the negro had
cen crucihed. and that now by this amendmect
=, the Constitution the stone had been rolled away
from the door of his sepulehre. and he had as
ended to sit on the throne Of the Almighty and
rlce the world One would have been. permit |
We to say with oil respect, in as good taste a. the
other.
NOW, or, We propose TINS, anu Wnst uoes W 4
lead to, Men love political power; they do not
Part with IL easily they love to increase It. Hay
ing q little. they are ready to grasp moro. III
this Is the case. have we not done something II
this amendment Is passed, TO say TO men, "Your
,,olitical power shall be in exact proportion To
YOUR action in the right direction" We say II
no, TO one people alone but to all. IL cannot be
pretended that this Is applied TO one State and
not to another State. What would DO the nstu-
raj consequence have faith In the good sense
oi men. Those we're slaves are now Tree. IL IS
naturally a sore subject 10 those who once owned
them. In time that soreness and rswusss will be
healed aud worn away, and men will begin TO look
about them aud ask themselves, els u an object
for us now 90 keep so largo portion OF our pop
ulston ignorant, stupid, unit to vote, and at the
same time take out ot our own hands aud deprive
ourselves OF the power they would give Us In the
linton Of the United States! Shall VIC not rather
make this population useful population Shall
NO not rather educate IT, Shall we not rather in
crease our own political power, raise ourselves to
N level with those States which have the same po-
pulation With Ourselyesg' Il II not naturrl to
suppose that that would be the ordinary result,
nat immediately hut in the course ot time' IL u
would be- the resolution has nothing to recon-
mend il; IL cumm, Uds itself tn inc, not being all
would ask for, but much that could be Eainet.
If can get ne more AN most happy to take
that unless indeed, II is attended With the effects
surgestei by the Senator from Massachusetts,. II
believed his view to be correct l would vote
H;aust the proposition.