Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1866-06-29
The President Opposes the Constitution.
nj Amendments.

We had been led to believe, by GER
tain reports, that President Johnson
would not oppose, if indeed he could
not favor, the ratification of the amend
ment proposed to the Constitution in
the joint-resolution adopted by Con-
gross. But the shadow of any such be-
lief is dispelled by his message, sent to
Congress on the I'D instant, in which
he arrays himselfagainst the plan which
the Republican party, with singular
unanimity, thought wise, lnagnarimous
and just to all concerned. The follow
ing is his message: r.f#-. r
submit to Congress report of the
Secretary of State, to whom was refer
red the concurrent resolution of the 18th
instant, respecting q submission to the
Legislatures of the States of an addi-
tiOnal article to the Constitution of the
| United States. 1t will be seen from
this report that the Secretary of State
had, on the 10th instant, transmitted to
the Governors of the several States GER
tilted copies Of the joint resolution pass
ed on the 18th, proposing an amend
ment to the Constitution.
Even in ordinary times a question of
amending the Constitution must be
justly regarded as one of paramount i'm
portance. This Importance is at the
present time enhanced by the fact that
the joint resolution was not submitted
by the two Houses for the approval OF
the President, and that of the thirty
six States which constitute the Union,
IL are excluded from representation in
either house of Congress, although,
with the single exception of Texas,
they have been restored to all their
functions rs States, in conformity with
the organic law of the land and have
appeared at the national capital by SEN
ators and Representatives, who have
applied for and been refused admission
to the vacant seats. Nor have the SOW
er,eign people of the nation been afford
ed an opportunity of expressing their
the amendment involves. .... :.
Grave doubts, therefore, may natural
ly and justly arise as to whether the
action of Congress is in harmony with
the sentiments of the people, and wheth-
or State Legislatures, elected without
reference to such an issue, should be
called upon by Congress to decide re-
speeding liberalization of the proposed
amendment. .-. ....
Waving the question as to the con-
stitutional validity of the proceedings
of Congress upon the joint resolution
proposing the amendment, or as to the |
merits of the article which it submits |
through the Executive Department to |
the Legislatures of the States, deem it |
proper to observe the steps taken by the |
Secretary Of State as detailed in the &C
report, are to be considered
as purely ministerial, and in no sense
whatever committing the Executive to |
an approval of the recommendation Of
the amendment to the State Legisla-
lures, or the people. On the contrary,
a proper appreciation of the letter and |
spirit Of the Constitution, as well as the |
interest of national order, harmony and |
union, and Difference for all enlight-
ened public Judgment, may at this time |
we'll suggest doubt whether any |
amendment to the Constitution ought |
to be proposed by Congress, and pressed |
on the Legislatures of the several States |
for final decision, until after the admis-
sion of such Senators and Representa- |
tives of the now unrepresented States !
as are now, or hereafter may be chosen, |
in conformity with the Constitution !
and laws of the United States:
Washington, Juno I'D, 1866. y"
THE MEMPHIS RIoTs.-A Washing
ton dispatch says: The committee to
investigate the Memphis riots have re-
turned and give deplorable account of
the affair. The rebel spirit is rampant.
The city government is in the hands of
the Irish, who did not enter the rebel
army but are more disloyal now than
the rebel soldiers. The latter class is
disposed to keep good order, and did
not participate in the recent riots. The
police, who are nearly to man Irish,
were the principal actors in negro kill
ing and the burning of churches and
school houses. Many Northern men in
Memphis engaged in speculation, are rs
bad as secessionists. 1t is not safe to
carry the Union flag in the streets
Military protection is indispensable, not
only to Union men, but to protect the
property of all.