The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-07-06

free judgement, as to each distinct amend
ment, and to compel the states to accept them
as whole or reject them as a whole. Inc
authors of this notable continuance know
very well that there would be no difficulty IN
ratlfying the amendments, except, perhaps,
at the outside two-the disfranchisement OF
a certain class and the change in the basis OF
representation. Indeed. the last one is per-
haps the only one whose passage can DO
cured Now, if each amendment were plo
posed as it ought to be, separately, sDo an
were adopted but the one last above hameo'
in reference to the change of the basis OF ep'
resentation, the obstacles to III renap'l as
ton of the south would be v4suy removed
and the country would be huch nearer so.
lut;on of our troubles t,an at present. But
This Is the verv thing she disunion leaders in
congress. do not desire. Unless reconstrue
t;on taxes Mace on the single idea of univer-
sala negro ssfrage or the exclusion of the
natorsi ysfitical powers of the southern
states Shey will have none of it.
Dscord may reign eternally, and our great
country DO shorn of the sublime power of
unity and nationality, rather than their poor,
miserable party purposes be defeated. Oh,
noble and magnanlmous patriots you de-
serve place in history for the splendid vir-
tue of sacrificing your country to your par
ty!
Nothing could better illustrate the distsm-
per of these times than the presumptuous ar
rogance of the congressional leaders in sub
hitting the proposed amendments as q
whole
The idea OF agents approaching their mast
ers in this styleis one OF novel impression. The
congress, the agency of the states, applies to
its sovereigns, the states, to learn their pleas
ure as to a change in the organic law, and
yet it refuses to submit the proposed changes
in such q manner as that the states can exer-
else free judgement The ancient mythol-
ogy divided the past into three eras, the age
of gold, the age Of i-on, and the age of brass
Was there anything in the famed age o.
brass commensurate with the sublime impu
dence of this programme?
Suppose one Of William B. Astor's agents
should submit to him plan for the improve
ment of one of his houses window here
and door there another portico, an addition
al wing; and Mr.. Aston after looking int
it ,shonld say, swell, approve of all th
| proposed alteration except that new wing :
| what would be his establishment if his agen
were coolly to reply, 81 beg your pardon, sir
| | don't submit the question in that way ; tina
| is not nv manner; you must say yes or n
| to the whole business" If Mr.. Astor's as
constituent would permit him to say any
thing. ace can imagine that he would, perbap
exclaim, "You impairment puppy" and IN
less he was q very amiable man, would invol
UNFAIRLY feel for his cane.
| This is parallel case to the manner i
| which congress is now treating the states i
the matter of amending the constitution
And if the times were not sadly out of join
these congressional men of brass would nc
dare to treat their masters so superciliousl,
If they did, the universal cry of indignatio
of an outraged country would cause blushs
to suffuse even their brazen cheeks.