The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-01-12
WfiIEIING WEST FRIDAY MORNING, JANUARY IL 1866

:
manner and to the same extent, subse-
ouent to the admission of the repre-
sentatives of these States as sipriorfto
such admission. 1t is a power to be e1-
-ercised by Congress, not on or through
the agency Of the several State goyern7
ments, but, as in the exercise OF alI1
other powers, directly upon the subject.
No issue then, even with the aid of spe-'
cial pleading, can be made up hero on
this questions We hear great deal,
however, said with reference to compell-l
ing the people of these States to adopt
this measure or that measufeias COM
6ition precedentNto the admission OF
their Representatives into Congress
more right to compel them to adopt any
measure thanlit hasto adoptit for them
and transfer it to their code. II they
are not States they have no, right to act
upon these questions, and their action
Is consequently y without Significance or
the sanction of public law. But In Ell
ther event, admitting the power OF Con
right of the States to act upon these
questions, what respect would the gem
tlemen now contending for such action
give to it, thus. ,wrung from them nn7
der duress? Or what idence Would II
give to any one upon which to base an
opinion as to the actual condition or
prevailing sentiment of these peoplef
The conventionin one State declines to
repudiate the rebel debt; the President
tells them they must do it before they
can hope for represents ation in Congress-
they then reconsider and reverse their
former decision2 Now, what impor-
tance can be attached to this action?3---: -:
The honorable gentlem an from Ohio rel
marked with signffipapce, 4 that in his
opinion it did Meth good nor harm;p
and / am,eonfrmed in the opinion that
II, it does no harm, it at least does no
good. The policy to be pursued re-
specting the qualifications of electors
in these States, during reorganization,
is. 4 presume, so far determined and
! the direct issues now affecting thisques-
ton. Then i come to the all=important
question of gualanteessEI sIIil'flJ Si9I.
We have nowIwaiting action by Con-
gfess possibly less than twenty guaran-
tees proposed la5 amendments to the
Constitution of the United States: Z do
not propose now 70 discuss the merits OF
these several proEositionS, and do not
know with suffisient certainty what
they are, to enterupon such discussion,
but suppose therewiu be an opportuni-
ty to Investigate them, unless they
should be acted upon under the opera
ton of 'the previous question, ,p57and
DGluR L VIII say
however, that doubt the necessity of
so much constitutional amendment,
and, that If it lis really necessary, we
had best have a convention at once; for
l'toIRiye to so mary d qiestl ons, of such
tin1portance, as We are told these are
the consideration they deserve when
becoming part OF the organic law of the
land, would require the time of an or
dinary session Of Congress, and y think
we should not form the habit Of changF
ing that sacred Instrument for slight
causes or with too much facility! Cen
4 tlemen manifest more fear now for the
safety of the Constitution and the
Union than when there, We're tiye hun
dred thor sand rebels arrayed in arms
against it. Ioonfess am unmoved by
such fears. Some OF the proposed
amendments, SO far as 1 understand
them, seem tnobje tiopable, and when
| brought to vote now see no reason
for not voting for Them IF You can
frame an article which more positively
refutes the -dognlas of notification and
secession than the second clause of the
sixth article, before quoted. the fifteenth
j.clausef Of the eight section of the first
/ article, hich provides stfor calling
| forth the militia TO execute the laws OF
! the & niofi, suppress iiisufrecti ions, and
irepet invasi ons, = and the first clause OF
the third section OF the third article de-
timing treason, I will. vote for 1t; but
Il cir, conceive of nothing palmer upon
4 this point than the Constitution us its
| frameis made it. And I know of no
| such yeritication of, or commentary
| upon, the Government under 1t, as is
i found in the legislation of Congress;
and the action of the Executive, during
4 ing the rebellion. Buff you can frame
an article which, will give more than
nthe last manu- and mortgage more
than 'the last dollar" to save the Union,
i will vote for 1t, The proposed amend
ment concerning the national and the
rebel debt, as heard it read once from
the clerks desk, appeared unobjecdon=
able. and has passed this House. But
4 what do object to, and most solemnlY
Iiprotest against at this point ,nis the de-
termination, upon the. part Of some, to
refuse rep ntation 70 the people 81
1 tion, until these amendments are se-
cured. And why 2 Because, say they,
II their adoption is necessary in order to
i secure the permanent ascendency of the
II present dominant party, and If the
people of these States are admitted tc
i participation in the ratification of these
amendments they VIII be defeated,
A. . Sir, wish as much as any one that
the present dominant party may long
II control the administration of affairs in
II this country; they deserve TO do so, and
twill do so If in their administration
A Ithey act wisely and justly; but If the
j principle just indicated is persisted in
/ and prevails, e ask you, what is. yonl
written Consti ution worth, what the
Il value of any guarantees that, may sol
Il ,canl be Incorporated tntoit beyond their
sIibserviehcy to party ,purposes2 u
n the dominant party can keep the mi
Il nority from participation in the affairs
4 of the Government until the Constitu-
\ ton can be amended to their prejudice,
lffrom the day this principle becomes in.
4 corporated into the po1ity of onr Gov
i eminent, the Constitution, instead o1
Il the chart of our liberties, becomes only
an instrument of oppression, with
4 which to bind more firmly the tyran.
II nical will of a popular majority, by
j which the rights of minorities are nm.
l known or unrespected, and to bt
il changed with each revolution of popu.
Ilish It at once, and let us look to the
4 law, to custom, and to necessity for this
\ landmarks to our liberties, than that j
u be prostituted to such base purposes
4 Besides, sir, without pretending to pro
j, pheticiwisdom, the people of this coun'
N tryf will never make Constitution
1 Hooking only to the interests of ANY
Il party. They are loyaland yetnational
/ looking to the interests OF the country
] and of the whole country, jealous of thu
u rights of minorities and provisions
4 for their projections; remembering, from
-llpersona1 experience, that political OF
party ascendency is among the 1ncer
tainties of this world. In word, sir
the people are just, and will repudiat'
4 any; party which attempts TO trampli
\ upon these principles.
have. said that to restore the Stat
q tgOvarn mnnfS which were overthrow