The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1866-03-02

or from other States, will enable him
to command almost his own term.
He also posscssea q right 70. change
his place Of abode, and il Mersfore,
he does not find in one community OH
State u mode of life suited 70 his de
sires, or proper remuneration for his
labor, he can move to another where
that labor ia more esteemed and bet
ter rewarded, In truth, however,
each State, induced by lie own wants
and interests, will do what is hecessa.
ry and proper to retain within its
borders all the labor that Is needed
for the development Of its resources.
The laws that regulate supply and
demand will maintain their force, and
tho wages Of tho laborer will be reg
ulated thereby. There is no danger
that the exceedingly great domand
for labor will not operate in favor Of
the laborer, o
Neither is sufficient consideration
given to the ability Of the freedmen.
to protect and take care Of themselves.
1t Is no more than justice to them to.
believe that, as they have their freed
ON with moderation and forbearance,
so they will distinguish themselves by
their industry and thrift, and soon
show the world that in q condition Of
freedom they arc self,sustaning, capa-
bio Of selecting their own employ
ment and their own places Of abode ;
of insisting for themselves on q prop
or remuneration, and Of establishing
and maintaining their own asylHms
and schools. 1t is earnestly hoped
that instead of wasting away, they
will by their own efforts establish for
themselves q condition OF respectable
ity and prosperity. 1t is certain that
they can attain to that condition
their only through own merits
and exertions. In this connection
the query presents itself, whether the
system proposed by the bill will not;
when put into complete operation,
practically transfer the entire care,
support, and control Of four millions
Of emancipated slaves to agents, over
seers, or taskmasters, who, appointed
ut Washington, are to be located in
every county and parish throughout
the United States containing freed
men and refugees. Such q system
would inevitably tend to a %concentra'
ton Of power in the Executive, which
would enable him, if so disposed, to
control tho action Of this numerous
class, and nse them for the attainment
of his own political ends. ' e-iro.
| cannot but add another very grave
objection to this bill. The Constitu-
ton ~imperatively declares, in connec-
ton with taxation, that each State
SHALL have at least n Representa-
live and fixes tho rule for the num-
Dor to which, in future times, each
State shall DO entitled. 1t also pro-
vides that the Senate of the United
States SHALL be composed Of two
Senators from each State, and adds,
with peculiar force, " that no State,
without its consent shall be- deprived
of is equal suffrage in the Senate"
The original act was necessarily pass
cd in the absence of the States chiefly
to DO affected, because their people
were then conLumaciously engaged in
the rebellion. Now tbe,case is chang
ed, and some at least of those States
are attending Congress by loyal Rep
resentatives, soliciting the allowance
of tho constitutional right for repre-
s~entation. At the time, however, of
the consideration and the passing Of
this bill there was no Senator or Rep
rosentative in Congress from the eIev-
en- States which are to be mainly af.
iected by its provisions.
The very fact that reports were and
are made against the good disposition
of the people of that portion of the
country is an additional reason why
they need and should have represon.
tative of their own in Congress, to eX-
plain their condition, reply to accu-
s%ations, and assist by their local know
ledge in the perfecting Of measures
Immediately affecting themselves.
While the liberty of deliberation would
then be free, and Congress would have
full power to decide according to its
judgement, there could be no objec-
ton urged that the States most inter
ested had not been permitted to be
heard. Tho principle is firmly fixed
in the minds of the American people,
that there shonld DO no taxation with
on: representation. Great burthens
have now to be borne by all the coun-
try and we may best demand that
they shall DO borne without murmur
when they arc voted by q majority of
tho representatives Of al the people.
I would not interfere with tho unques-
tionable right Of Congress to judge,
each House for itself, " Of the cleo
lions, returns, and qualifications Of its
own members" But that authority
cannot bs construed rs including the
right 10 shut out in time of peace any