The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-10-19


all the people OF the United States.
After a laborious and extended session
and patient comparison OF views, both
houses of congress agreed, by the necessa-
~ two-thirl> vote, to propose TO the leg
i,latures of the several states the following
amendment TO the federal constitution
MENDMENT-ARTICLE XIV
See. /. All persons born or natural
izel in the United States and subject 10
the jurisdiction thereof. are citizens OF the
Umtei Stale and OF the stale wherein
ti:ev reside. No state shall make or en-
force any law which shall abridge the
privileges or immuniiieS of citizens OF the
United States; nor shall any state de-
prlve any person OF lie, liberty or proper
" without due process of law, nor deny
10 any person within lis jurisdiction the
equal protection ot tine laws.
SEC ,. Representatives shall be APP
porlioned among the several states nc
cording 10 their respective numbers,
counting the whole number of persons in
eacI. state, excluding Indians not taxed.
But when the right TO vote at any cleo
lion iur The choice of electors for prssi-
dent and vicc-prc>ldent of the United
S;ale>, representatives III congress, the eX-
eculiyc and Judicial officers Of Il state. OF
the members OF the legislature thereof, is
denied 10 any oi the male inhabitants OF
such stale benny twenty-One years OF age
ana citizens OF the United States. or IN
any way abrid .ed, except for parlicipa-
llO. III rebellion or other crime. the basis
ot representation therein shall be reduced
III The proportion which the number OF
such male citizens snail bear 10 the whole
number of male citizens twenty-one Years
ui aye IN such stale.
See. ), No person shall he senator
OF representative III congress, or elcctor ut
president and vice-pre>ident, or hold any
oiiicc, civil or military. under the United
States, or under any state, who. having
previously taken All oath, ;ls member OF
congress, or as an officer of the United
States, or Il, q member OF any state legiS-
laturc. OF ;,> all executive OF judicial oili-
Ger OF any state, 10 support the constitu-
lion ri the | nlled States, shall have en-
ga-"J IN lm>urrcctlon and rebellion against
the same. OF gwen aud OF comfort to the
cmera!,> thereof. But congress NAV. bv 4
Voc oi two-lhiri> OF each house. remove
such disability
Sc. /. The validity OF the public
deb. oi tile United States, authorized 10y
law. inclhdIng debts incurred Tor payment
OF pensions and bomtie> for services In
>Uppte>>img Instruction OF rebellion. shall
not to- Questioned. ijui neither the Uni
iri States nor ANY state shall assume or
!';iy ANY debt OF obj CATION incurred in aid
81 in>uITectIun ur rebellion a.ain>: the
tmtrd States. or any claim lor the loss
OF emancipation OF any slave: but all
such drb;>. obligations and claims shall
hc held iilr-:,l ami VOID.
So. >. The congress shall have pow
CT 10 enforce. 10y appropriate legislation,
III" provision, OF this article.
SOON after th- proposed amendment
";.> adopted. il WAS ratified bv the lcgi>-
ialue oi Tennessee, and immediately
in'rruion t:.r senators and representatives
I..N Iuil-iy rA"~cn hv that stale. upon tax
IL ihc 'ali> prescribed hy lax. were adj
mitIcI 20 ~,.i;> IN the respective hou>cs OF
rnn.r,>>
TrXa> i the only other STATE conic,lcra-
ici IN the rebellion. That has acted upon
;hi- an., ndmeut. i'icre ii was rejected.
the legislature directing the committee
having ii IN charge 10 Return ii Ia the Sec
rci..ry "i' stale
SNrry other state - except Oregon.
Ui">e legislature first ratified and then
rejected lt-ahich >ioud bv The govern
mrn. ddrin@ tie rebellion. whose lc.i>la-
iU'c ia.i~ been IN session since the amend
mcnt WIS proposed. ms ratified il and
i"orr l. god reason 10 confidently aaIicI-
Pa'c that II viii lie ratified bv the number
ii states necessary To make il I; part OF tine
Fedora! Constitution.
Nuiic this amendment does not con-
'aln single proposition which the extcn-
i've has moi, either in his speeches or oiii-
cl1i communications. approved, lis only
danger oi deteat-a danger now happily
>mail-ari,t, from his hostility TO lis rail-
iicaiion.
The issue presented to the people this
rail- has been and will be this policy of
congress, a contra>tcd with that Of the
executive department OF the government.
lh" former puts such safeguards about
The restoration OF the states lately contel-
GRATED IN rebellion, 10 an equal participa-
tIon IN the government with the states
which always remained true TO the fac,
IL shall secure II the original Union men
ot the south equal rights and impartial
liberty, while ii stamps upon treason the
Indeiiblc mark Of the peoples condemna-
hon. iIiG latter restores To civil and DO
htlcnl power the men who plotted the re-
he'I:on ami tou"ht it through TO its bitter
cnl, ir2vlnI 10 ihclr um;ippc;lsei and m-
rticniing hate Il minority OF whites 50
small as 10 bc helpless, and the entire col
o.eh race, TO whom liberty has been Civ
Ell AMI il pcacctble and full enjoyment
The elections already held have result
ed in the triumphant approval of the con-
..rc~~ional policy; and there is no reason
aO!y doubt hat the elections vet TO be
Ilcid will pronounce as Enthusiastically IL !
FAVOR OF the constitutional amendment