The weekly Ottumwa courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1857-1872, 1866-03-01

stationed WITHIN reaca OF every one OF them,
and thus large standing force be rendered
necessary. Large appropriations would
therefore be required to sustain and enforce
military ttirisdictron in every county and
parish from the Potomac to the Rio Grande.
! The condition Of our fiscal affairs il en-
couraging, but in order to sa.sain the pres
ent measure of public confidence, it is nee
essary that we practice not merely customa-
ry economy, but as far as possible severe re-
trenchmsnt.
In addition to the objections already sta
ted, the 9th section of the bill proposes to
take away land from its former owners,
without any legal proceedings being first had
contrary to that provision of the Constitu-
ton which declares that no person shall be
deprived of life, liberty or property, without
due process of law, Il does not appear that
lands, to which this section refers, NAV not
be owned by minors, or persons of unsonnd
mind, or by those who have been faithful to
all their obligations as citizens Of the Uni-
ted States. If any portion If the land is
held by streh persons, it is not competent for
any authority to deprive them Of it. If, on
the ether haud, it be found that the property
be liable to confiscation, even tnen it cannot
be appropriated to public purposes, until by
due process Of law it, shall have been de-
clared forfeited to the Government
There are still further objections to the
bill on grounds seriously affecting the class
of persons to whom it is designed to bring
relief. 1t will tend to keep the mind of the
Freedmen in a state of uncertain cxpecta-
ton and restlessDess, while to those among
whom he lives, it will be source of con-
stant and vague apprehension. UndouUted-
ly the Freedmen should be protected, but
they should be protected by the civil au-
:horities, especially by the exercise OF all
the constitutional powers of the courts OF
the United States and of the States. His
condition is not SO exposed as may at first
be imagined. lie is in portion of the
country where his labor cannot well be
spared Composition for his services from
planters, those who are constructing or re-
pairing railroads, or from capitalists in his
vicinity or from other States, will enabl. him
to command almost his own terms lie al
SO possesses a perfect right to change his
abode, and if then he does not Fl nd i'm one
community or State a mode Of life snited to
his desires, or proper remuneration for his
labor, he can move to another where labor is
more esteemed and better rewarded. I'm
truth, however, each State, induced bv its
own wants and interests, will do what is
necessary and proper to retain within it's bor-
ders all the labor that is necessary for the
Development OF It's resources.
In this connection the query presents it.
self whether the system prnposed by the
bll will not, when put into complete opera.
ton, practically transfer the entire care,
support and control of four millions of enan-
cipated slaves to agents, orerSeers or task
masters, who, appointed 1T Washington, are
to be located IN every county and parish
throughout the United States, containing
freedmen and refugees. Such system would
inevitably tend TO such a concentration OF
power in the Executive which would enable
him if SO disposed, ito control the action OF a
numerous class, and use them for his own
political end. 1t cannot but add another
grave objection to this bill.
The constitution imperatively declares, IN
connection with taxation, that each State
shall have at least one representative, and
fixes the rule for the number to which in
future times each State snail he entitled. II
also provides that the Senate Of the
United States shall be composed of two Sen
ators from each Stale, and adds with pecu-
liar force that no State, without its consent.
shall DC deprived of equal suffrage in the
Senate.
The original act was necessarily passed
in the absence Of the States chiefly to bc
affected, because their pcopc were then
contumeliously engaged in the rebellion. =
Now the case is changed, and some. at least,
OF the ) ates are attending Congress by 10y
al representatives, solicititing the allowance
of the constitutional right of representa-
ton. At the time, however, of the consde-
ration aud passing of the hil there was no
Senator or Representative i'm Cong ess from
eleven States which are to bc mainly affect
ed by It's provisions. ..
The very fact that reports were aud are
made against the good disposition of the
country, is an additional reason why they
netu and should have repres .ntatives in con
gress OF their own to explain their cund tion
reply To accusations, and assist by their loca.
knowledge i'll the pertecting of measures i'm.
mediately affecting themselves, while the lib.
erty Of deliberation would then be fre,. and
congress would have full power according TO
its Judgment, and there could be no objection
urged that the states most interested had not
been permitted to be heard. The principle il
firmly fixed in the minds of the American
people, that there should be no taxation with.
out representation. Great burdens are now
TO be borne by all the country, aud we may
uen'aho tnat they Shall be borne without
u, III Inur "Ieh they are voted by a majority OF
'he ltp'esehtatiVes ct all the people.
4, "oulu NOT interfere with the uuqucstiona-
oie .isn' oi congress 10 Judge each uouse Tor
ISL " tne erection returus and quaiihca
.', ..u"o % US OWN inen'ners, put thst ""th'ntr
si'n, W., 30 ut"ee $50, as mciuu'hg .he ''sh, TO
Da, ;. '.,e "a p1'ee' any stare ON .'e
ra,' po" s,;,''.;' ~ "nieh ~ Is eh,'t'ea oy 'he
sem All the Peoiie o.