Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-06-30
THE AMENDMENT.
The President is Opposed to it
BIS MESSAGE TO CONGRESS.

Contrary 10 the general expectation,
and to the earnest hope of Union men,
the President has declared in opposition
to the new proposed Constitutional
Amendment. That Amendment is so
necessary aud just, that it cannot fail to
receive the warm support of most of
those who sustained the Government du-
ring the war, and of all who now desire
to see treason made odious. Standing
on that platform, the Union party cannot
fail to be sustained by the people, and
maintain its supremacy in the Govern
ment.
The main objection of the President,
which is that eleven States are not rep
resented in the Congress submitting he
Amendment, is merely q reiteration Of
the Copperhead sheer at trump Con-
gress." Congress derives its powers from
the samo source, and exercises its au
thority by the same right that the Prcsi-
dent does his own. The following is the
MESSAGE.
l submit to Congress report Of the
Secretary of State, to whom. was re-
ferred the concurrent resolution of the
18th instant, respecting Submission 10
the Legislatures of the States of an ad-
ditional article to the Constitution of the
United States.
It will be seen from this report that
the Secretary Of State had, on the 10th
instant, transmitted TO the Governors Of
the several States certified copies Of the
Joint resolution passed on the 18th, pro-
posing an amendment 10 the Consti
tuition,
Even in ordinary times n question of
amending the Constitution must bejnstly
regarded rs of paramount importance.
This importance is at the present time
enhanced by the fact that the JOINT reso
luton was not submitted by the two
Houses for the approval of the President,
and that Of the thirty six States which
constitute the Union, eleven arc excluded
from representation in either House of
Congress. although, with the single ex
oeption of Texas, they have been restored
to all their functions as State, in con
formity With the organic law of the land,
and have appeared at the national capitol
by Senators and Representatives, who
have applied for aud been refused admis
sion to the vacant seats; nor have the
sovereign people Of the nation been Rf
forded an opportunity of expressing their
views on the important questions which
the amendment involves.
Grave doubt, therefore. may naturally
and Justly arise, as to whether the action
of Congress is in harmony with the senti
menis Of the people, and whether State
legislatures, elected without reference TO
such an issue, should be called upon by
Congress to decide respecting the ratif
cation of the proposed amendment
Waving the question as TO the constitu-
tiousl validity of the proceedings Of Con-
gress upon the joint resolution proposing
the amendment, or as 10 the merits of
the article which il submits through the
Executive Department to the Lcgisla-
lures of the States, deem it proper to
observe that the steps taken by the Sec
rotary Of State, as detailed in the accom-
panying report, are to be considered as
purely ministerial and in no sense what
ever committing the Executive to an ap-
proyal OF the recommendation of the
amendment to the State Legislatures.
or to the people. On the contrary, a
proper appreciation of the letter and
spirit of the constitution, as well rs the
interests of national order, harmony, and
union, and Difference for an enlightened
public Judgment, may at this time well
suggest doubt whether any amendment
to the constitution ought to be proposed
by Congress and pressed or the lsgisla.
lures of the several States Cor final de-
cision, until after the admission of such
Senators and Representatives. of the
now unrepresented States as are now, or
hereafter may be chosen, in conformity
with the constitution and laws of the
United States.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, June 90, 1866.