The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-05-12
nh. oon,titutional Amendment.

The result of the long debate on the ques-
ton of Southern representation in Congress,
Is especially gratifying in this--that at last,
out of the discord of contradictory opinions
winch reigned ct the opening OF the session,
a reasonable harmony has been evolved. One
after another, the various measures proposed
have been considered, approved in whole or
in part, or definitely rejected; and stepping
firmly and cautiously on solid ground all the
way, the Republican majority in Congress,
taking with them the plain people al home,
have advanced to victory. The unanimity of
thu peoples representatives at Washington
has percepflbly increased as the great ques-
tons of public policy have successfully arisen.
The civil rights bill passed the House of Rep
resentatives for the first time, by vote of Ill
yeas to IS nays. 1t was again passed, the
Presidents objections notwithstanding, by 122
yeas to Al nays. The joint resolution propos-
ing constitutional amendment passed the
House Thursday by 1923 yeas to 81 nays-a
two-thirds vote with 81 votes to spare! Even
Mr. Raymond voted for the resolution.
The joint resolution embodying the pro
posed amendment has already been published
and discussed in these columns. As it has
now received the sanction of one branch of
the National Legislature, we reproduce the
amendment this morning, and. proceed briefly
to review its provisions. -dr 1e ia1l sH
The first section declares that the civil
rights of citizens Of the United States shall be
respected by the several States. The equal
protection of the laws shall be extended to
Northerners in South Carolina as well as to
Sourherners In every Northern State. There
Is no dissent to this section. The votes on the
Civil Rights law have already indicated the
unanimity Of Congress, in asserting the equal
rights Of all citizens before the laws.
The apportionment of representation was
forced upon the attention of Congress by tie
emancipation Of the slaves and the necessity Of
recognizing the freedmen as men. The sense
less compromise, by which three-ifths of the
colored population of the slave States were
counted and two-fifths omitted, was clearly
inapplicable TO the new order Of things. The
second section of the proposed amendment
says to all the States, "Either let these people
vote, or count them out" Certainly nothing
less could be required. If the time has gone
by for insisting upon a judicious extension of
the electoral franchise to the freedmen, the
country will sustain the very moderate re-
quirement of Congress with the greatest un-
animity. eaa
The third section has given occasion to
more controversy, during the recent debates,
than any other. The provisions of other sec
tions had been previously considered at length
and the policy of Congress respecting them
had been settled. The proposition to exclude
all persons who had voluntarily adhered to
the rebellion from participation in the affairs of
the nation, for four years, was new. 1t was
acknowledged that such persons had forfeited
all legal rights in the premises. 1he PROPOSE
ton was just; but was it wise F? Was it wise
to attempt to punish the rank and file of the
Confederate armies for their share in the re-
belion? 1t is absolutely certain that not only
the majority in Congress but the great body Of
the people at home do not believe that further
punishment of the misguided men who serv-
ed in the Confederate ranks, is wise or neces-
sary. The explanation of Mr.. Stevens how
ever, reievee this section of the amendment
from the force of the objections urged against
it, The disfranchisement will not affect the
Confederate rank and file. Men who have
been pardoned are not subject to penalty. The
proclamations of Presidents Lincoln and john
son have already promised amnesty to every
Confederate soldier below the rank of colonel,
and to all civilians worth less than $4,000,
and what has been left undose by proclama-
ton is being rapidly done by the free use of
the pardoning power conferred upon the Pres
ident by the act of 1862. If there are rebels
who have not been and cannot be pardoned,
they may certainly be disfranchised for four
years without detriment to the country.
Finally, it is provided that no compensation
for slave property and no payments on
the rebel debt shall ever be made by the
United States, or by any one of them.
The amendments which had been talked of
were not moved in the House. Mr. Stevens.
who declared he did not care the snap of his
FINGERS what became of the resolution with
out the third section, moved the previous
question and declined to give way for vote
on striking out that section. The previous
question was ordered by a majority OF barely
five, including sixteen Democrats, who hoped
to render the whole proposition so distasteful
by retaining the Objectionable section. as to
prevent its adoption. In this expectation
they were sisnally disappointed, and the reso-
luton awaits the action of the Senate, pre-
cisely as 1t was reported from the Committee
of Fifteen.
Government Appointments and Remova,s.