Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1866-07-04

The Rump Congress being desirou'
Of obtaining an expression from the
President, on the Constitutional
amendments, adopted resolution in
quiring whether tho amendments had
been forwarded to the several States
t)which Mr.. Johnson replied n the io''
lowing Democratic style;
TO the Senate and House Of Repre-
Sentdtices:
| submit to Congress n report OF
the Secretary of State, TO whom was
referred the concurrent resolution OF
the 18th instant, respcctinga submis-
sion to the legislatures of the States Of
an additional article TO the constitution
of .he United States.
1t will be seen from this report, that
the Secretary of State had. on the 16th
instant, transmitted to the Governor:
of the several States certified copies ol
the joint resolution, passed on the 18th
instant, proposing an amendment tC
the coz stitution.
Even in ordinary times, any ques-
tion of famcnding the constitution must
be justly regarded as OF paramount
Importance This Importance is, at
the piesant time, enchnnced by the
fact that the joint resolution was not
submitted by the two Houses for the
approval Of the President, and that OF
the thrty-six States, which constitute
the Union, eleven are excluded from
representation in either House ofCon
gress, although with the single excep
tion of Texas, they have been entirely
restored to all their functions as States
in conformity with the organic law OF
the land, and have appeared at the
national capital by Senators and Rep
resentatives, who have applied for,
and have been refused, admission to the
vacant seats.
Nor have the sovereign people of
the nation been afforded an opportu-
nifty Of expressing their views upon
important question which the amend
ment involves. Grave doubts there
fore may naturally and justly arise as
to whether the action of Congress is
in harmony with the sentiments of
the people, and whether State legisla-
lures, elected without reference TO
such an issue, should be called upon
by Congress to decide respecting the
ratification of the proposed amend
ment.
Waving the question as to the con-
stltutional validity of the proceedings
of Congress upon the joint resolution
proposing the amendment, or as to
the merits of the article which il sub
mits through the executive depart
ment to the legislatures fthe States,
| deem it properto observe that the
steps taken by the Secretary Of State,
as detailed in the accompanying re-
port, ARE TO be considered aspurely min
isterial, and in no sense whatever com
the executive anapproval or
a recommendation ofthc amendment
to the State legislatures or to the peo
pie. On the contrary, proper APP
probation of the letter and spirit of
the constitution, as we'll as of tho in.
tercsts of national order harmony
and union, and a due Difference for an
enlightened public Judgment. may ,at
Ibis time, well suggest a doubt wheth.
er any amendment to the constitution
ought to be proposed by Congress
and pressed upon the legislatures of
the several States for final decision
lntll after the admission of such loyal
Senator's and Representatives of the I
now uurepresented States as have !
been or may hereafter be chosen, in
conformity with the constitution and
avs of tac United States.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, ID. G., June %, 1866. !