The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1866-02-07
HIGHLY IMPORTANT.
The President Takes his Stand
Against any Further Amends
mentS to the Constitution.
WASHINGTON, January %.

w ASHlNGTON, OaHuaFy 20
The following is the substance Of a
communication, which took place to-day,
between the President and a distinguished
Senator:
The President said that he doubted the
propriety at this time of making any fur
Their amendments to the Constitution
One great amendment had already been
made, by which slavery had forever been
abolished within the limits of the United
States, and a national guarantee thus
given that that institution should never
again exist in the land. Propositions to
amend the Constitution were becoming as
numerous as preambles and resolutions
at town meetings, called to consider the
most ordinary questions connected with
the administration of local affairs. All
this, in his opinion, had a tendency to
diminish the dignity and prestige attach
ed to the Constitution of the county,
and to lessen the respect and confidence
of the people in their great charter of
freedom. If, however, amendments are
to be made to the Constitution changing
the basis of representation and taxation
land he did not deem them at all neces-
sary az the present time), he knew of
none better than a simple proposition
embraced in a few lines making in each
State the number of qualified voters the
basis of representation, and the value OF
property the basis of direct taxation
Such a proposition could be embraced in
tho following terms:
Representatives shall be apportioned
among the several States which may be
included within this Union, according to
the number of qualified voters to each
State. Direct taxes shall be apportioned
among the several States which may be
included within this Union, according to
the value of all taxable property in each
State"
An amendment of this kind would, in
his opinion, place the. basis of represen-
tation aud direct taxation upon correct
principles. The qualified voters were
for the most part, men who were subject
to draft, and enlistment, when it was ne
cessary to repel invasion, suppress rebel
lion, and quell domestic violence and in.
surrection. They risk their lives, shec
their blood, and peril their all to upholG
the Government, and give protection, Sc
curity and value to property. 1t seemed
but just that property should compensate
for the benefits thus conferred by defray.
-
ing the expense incident to its protection
and enjoyment. Such an amendment the
President also suggested would remove
from Congress all issues in reference tt
the political equality of the races. l
would leave the States to determine abso
lutely the qualifications Of their own yo
tiers with regard to color: and thus tn
number of representatives to which the,
would be entitled in Congress would de
pend upon the number upon which the,
conferred the right of suffrage. Tn,
President, in this connection, expresse,
the opinion that the agitation of the ne
negro franchise question, at present, i
the District of Columbia was, he thought
the mere entering wedge to the agitation
ofthe question throughout the States, ant
was ill-timed, uncalled for, and c~alculat
ed to do great harm. He believed tina
it would engender enrnity, contention
and strife between tho two races. an
led to a war between them, which woul
result in great injury to both and tn
certain determination of the negro popu
%lation. Precedence, he thought, shout
be given to more important and urgen
matters, legislation upon which was es
sential for the restoration of the Unlor
, the peace of the country, and the pros
perity of the people.