The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-31

the President if passed, as II no doubt
will be, by the requisite majority of the two
Houses Of Congress. The southern people
may as we'll examine this proposition care
fully, as it Is more likely to come before
them for their sanction than any of those
hitherto brought forward. The first sec
tion would make civil rights act consti-
tutional. The present civil rights act Is
clearly unconstitutional. The second sec
ton comedies that the States have the
right to regulate suffrage, but provides
that if any State refuse to let negroes
vote, il shall surrender part OF It's repre-
sen,ation, proportional to the persons SO
a;srr.ocb;sed. The third section is very
Objectionable. The last clause, however,
redeems il somewhat. The fourth and
fifth the south need not oppose buff VIC
were large bondholder, we should dislike
very much to see Congress assuming that
the United States Government is not yet
bound to pay its debts; for if it is neccs
sary 10 amend the Constitution in order 10
prevent reputation, then our credit is at
present in bad way. Besides, our expc-
ricnce during the last five years has
taught us that the Constitution always
means whatever the majority OF Congress
desire it to mean. As We look upon them,
the Freedmens Bureau bill, the Civil
Rights bill, and others, are downright VIC
la,ions Of the Constitution. As the Radi-
Gals regard them, they are perfectly con-
situtional. And unless the successors of
of the present Radical Congress are ditfe-
rently constituted, they will read the Con-
stitution to suit themselves when their day
of power shall come. The rendition OF
slaves was clearly a constitutional duty
ten years ago; yet CHARLES SUMNER
when asked whether nc would perform
duty required by his oath as Sena-
tor. answered, "Is thy servant dos
that he should do this thing!' And
Mr.. SEWARD, whose course for the last
twelve months has mcrited the higheS'
commentator, was years ago the prophet
of the faction which taught that the Con-
stitution was not to be regarded when II
conhictcd with mans own convictions OF
what was right. 1--WE believe slavery Is
wrong" said these parties; wherefore We
dare not obey the Constitution why
NAV not the southern people appeal to the
same higher law against reputation But
we do our own people great injustice to
COMPARE them with highcr-law fanatics OF
the SUMNER and STEVENS stripe.
,o1>r RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMEND
NExT To THE CONSTITUTION OF THE UNI
TED STATES.
RssnIrc1by The Senate and House Of Re
1reSentat,res Of tie JHited StatcS0f america
IN ConqesS assembled Q,co-hiraS Of both
Houses concMTing), That the following ar
ticle be proposed to the Legislatures of the
several States as an amendment to the Con-
stitution of the United States, which, when
ratified by three -tourthS of said LegSla
lures, shall be valid as part OF the Consu-
tuition, namely:
ARTICLE -.
SECTION /. All persons born in the
United States and subject to the lurlsdlc-
ton thereof are citizens of the United
States and of the States wherein they re-
side. No State shall make or enforce any
law which shall abridge the privileges or
immunities of citizens of the United States
nor shall any State deprive any person OF
life, liberty, or property, without due pro-
cess of law: nor deny TO any person Wllhn
its jurisdiction the equal protection OF the
laws.
SECTION 2. Representatives shall be APP
nortioned among the several States which
NAV he included within the Union, accord |
ing to their respective numbers, counting
the whole number of persons in each State,
excluding Indians not taxed. But when
ever IN any State the elective franchise
shall he denied to any portion of its male
inhabitants being citizens OF the United |
States not less than twenty-one years OF
are. or in any way abridged, except for |
participation in rebellion or other crime,
the basis of representation in such State |
shall be reduced in the proportion which |
the number of such male citizens shall |
bear to the whole number of male citizens
not less than twenty-one years of age in
such State.
SECTION 8. No person shall be Senator |
or Representative in Congress, or elector |
of President and Vice President, or hold |
any office, civil or military, under the
United States, or under any State, who,
having previously taken an oath as men,
Der of Congress, or as an officer of the |
United States, or as member of any |
State Legislature, or as an executive or
judicial officer of any State, to support the |
Constitution of the United States, shall |
have engaged in insurrection or rebellion
agaist the same, or given aid and comfort
to the enemies thereof. But Congress
may by vote of two-thirds of each House |
remove such disability.
SECTION 4. The obligations of the United
States incurred in suppressing insurrec-
ton, or in defence of the Union, or for
payucsnt of bounties or pensions incident
thereto, shall remain inyiolate.
SECTION 5. Neither the United States
nor any State shall assume or pay any
debt or obligation incurred in aid Of insur-
rection or rebellion against the United
States, or any claim for compensation for
the loss or emancipation of any slave; but
all such debts, obligations, and claims shall
be forever held illegal and void.
SECTION 6. The Congress shall have
power TO enforce by appropriate legisla-
ton the provisions of this article.
------------------
Honors to the Dead.