New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-08


voters instead of populations and secondly the PROPOSE
tion secure equality in pocalrghs BY constitutional
amendment, by act Of Congress. Referring 10 the
proposition TO found representation upon voters MI
Sumner said: The proposition to found representation
on voters instead Of population was originally intro
duced by me during the last Congress. Almost at the
same time introduced series Of resolutions declaring
not only the power but the duty of the United States
TO guarantee republican governments In the Rebel
States the basis Of the Declaration of Independence
so that the governments should be founded on the
consent of the governed and the equality of all persons
before the law Thus while proposing to found repre-
sentaton voters, at the same time asserted the
power of Congress- under the Constitution TO secure
equality in political rights. The proposition with
regard 10 voters was much discussed during the
OF Congress At the beginning of the present session
it seemed TO find favor But at last, statistics were
power from Eastern States to Western States
in proportion to the excess of females over
males In the latter. And this abnormal condition
was made an argument against IT. Since then, II
has given peace the offensive proposition now before
the Senate. The proposition to found representation
on votes instead OF population, may be seen first IN what
does not do and secondly in what does do. Seeing
in what II does not do al will confess that it does not
carry into the Constitution itself the idea OF inequality
Of rights thus defng that unspotted text thatl gives
sanction to the acknowledged tyranny OF ta1aton
without that makes no concession to
State rights at moment when are recovering from
terrible war wagef against us In the name OF STATE
rights that 1t does not recognize an olgarchy arsoc
racy caste and monopoly founded on coor that u does
not embody the wretcbed pretension Of white mans
government; that il does not assume what Is false IN
constitutional law that color be qualification
for yoier that il does positively tie the hands OF
Congress in fixing the meaning Of republican govern
ment 80 that under the guaranty clause 1t VIII De con-
strained to recognise an ohgarchy arstocraey caste
and monopoly, together with the tyranny OF taxation
without representation, not inconsistent with sncs
government; that IL does not positively tie the hands OF
Congress in completing and concentrating the abolition
Of Slavery 10 pursuance OF the second clause OF the
constitutional amendment; that 1t does not inst al re
cent Rebels in permanent power over loyal citizens
that IL does not show forth unmistakaDe character
as compromise OF human rights the most immoral In
decent and utterly shameful Of any in history. All
these things offensive 10 the conscience and the
SON this proposition does not do; In all these respects
it is at least bameless On the other hand without IN
fctng any stigma upon the Constitution or upon the
Republic without making any concession TO the States
without tieng the hands Of Congress. and without
any compromise OF human rights, II does rear
range the basis OF representation so as 70 accomplish
all that IL proposed by the most saDgune support
ers of the other proposition, and It does this eeeualy
without the opportunity for evasion which is afforded
BY the other proposition The alleged irreguarity In
ia operatiop owing 70 the excess of females males
IN certain States may make You hesitate ~ adopt II;
but better take representation founded on voters even
with any such alleged rreguarty than do grevious
wrong Better even wrong yourselves than wrong
Others. Representation founded on voters seems to be
commended by authority and principle. Its adoption
now would at least give symmetry TO our national
system and make the Representative more pre-
eisely the embodied presence Of his consttu
ents while at the time. 1t would tend to enlarge
the suffrage and to harmonic sectional professions
with the national Will when exerted for human rights
II representation were founded on voters the States
would care little If Congress should annul inequality in
the elective franchise on account OF color But there
are other propositions which, TO my mind are more
satisfactory because they reach the special necessities
of the hour and provide the only etectual remedy.
Speaking IN the OF national justice aud for the
safety they cannot be PIT aside with lnder
ence nor Is II wise say that any measure OF justice
is rot praccsI refer OF course, to the propositions,
in different forms. to secure that great guaranty
equality In political rights, by constitutional amend
ment or bv act Of Congress or by both. A coDstltu
tonal amendment which shall place equality Of political
rights under the safeguard OF special text may be
serfuous but IL is not unconstitutional or immoral
1t will be supplementary 10 PROVISIONS sreaay IN sne
statute remoyin all doubts and cavs; II Will be Ike
an additional force in mechanics or like reinforcement
in tho field. 1t will be redupication IN new
form On such an occasion, where such cause
Is in issue. welcome every alliance, and such regard
the proposition of the Senator from Missouri (Mr Hen.
derson). The other proposition which looks TO the
direct action OF Congress under the existing Consttu
tion and its amendment Is obviously the simplest and
most practical nasmuch as II deals with the exgency
promptly frankly. and according TO the necessities OF
he hour IL does not undertake 10 act by induction,
nor does postpone to any indefinite future what
not be postponed without detriment TO the Republic.
Refusing 10 procrastnate IL saves ell. Such prop
osition is commended BY every argument OF reason.
tutoua il 10 say that the Constitution itself is not con-
stuona for II is derived from the very heart Of the
Constitution and is filled with a.! Its best nfe0lood
Something has been said Of the form in which the propo
,on has been presented There is tho bill othe Senator
from Illinois Mr. Yates, which he has maintained Ia
speech Of singular originality and power that has not
been answered and do not hesitate to say cannot be
answered BY this bill IL is provided that all citizens
i'm auy State or Territory shall be protected in the full
and equal enjoyment and exercise OF their civil poiti
cal rights, including the night OF suffrage. lals Is
founded on the consideration that by the abolition OF
Slavery the slave became at once citizen subject only
to such disabilities are common to other citizens;
and that by the second clause OF the eohstitn'
fional amendment Congress Is empowered TO en-
force tho abolition Of Slavery by appropriate legislation
On this foundation the Senator places his Dill,
assuming that to complete the abolition OF slavery all
penalties deprivations OF right resulting
from Slavery In nny State Territory must be made
10 cease The proposition which have had the honor
Of presenting Is Joint resolution, which, after deelar
ing the duty OF Congress TO guarantee repnonean
form OF government in States where the governments
have aIsed and also the duty to complete the abolition
OF slavery by the removal OF all relics OF this wrong
proceeds TO provide that there shall be no olgarcoy
rstocracy caste or monopoly nor any denial OF rights
civil or poItca on account Of color race but all per-
sons shall be equal before the law, whether III tue
conrt room or at the ballot box. Not doubling the
Where within the Jurisdiction Of the United States
content myself for the present by asserting only In
tho lapsed States lately in rebellion, where the
duty to guarantee republican government ahd ENFORCE
the abolition OF Slavery are beyond question. To that
extent now urge It, But the propositions are opposed
Ms Informal and imperative because they are without
machinery or penalty such Is the objection ~ UNDER
stand h AZ il has been made answer each PROPOSE.
ton on it's face act Of Congress- prohibiting the
denial of certain rights account OF color; In this
resnect each is at least Congressional Interpretation
Of he Constitution and it is by means clear that i
could not I've enforced in the courts The bill which
has already passed the House of Representatives,
,r;lino ont the word white in the electoral laws Of
the District OF Columbia is without machinery pen
sty but il s at least Congressional declaration to be
followed Of course by other legislation with proper ma
SSaracter Of the proposition presented by the Senator
from Illinois land by myself. OF course, the OBJ.
ieetions to these propositions. II valid at all, must
he equally valid against the bill for enfranchisement