The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-02-09

all tUelT IIlOScluCutS dllu jill ehSAA e$SeiohSS
and precluded them from carrying out
their own principles into the organic law
of this Union. But, rather than not have
harmony among these thirteen colonies,
they postponed and compromised their
principles for what they deemed greater
good, believing short time would work
cure and purify the institution which
they admitted to be clogged by it. AT
that day ninety bales Of cotton left the
United States in one year, and now we
have millions of bales exported And
then few slaves, comparatively, existed
there being only three millions of the
whole population-and now the black
population has risen above the whole pop
ulation of that day to four millions, who
are either to be treated as our fathers de-
clared by solemn declaration they ought to
be treated, or to be oppressed by us as in
solent tyrants, by which we well deserve
the execration of the human race. 1t has
come to that The time has come when
we can make the constitution what our
fathers desired to make it. The time has
come when, through blood, every stain
has been washed out, unless we choose to
re-establish it. God forbid should adopt
the principles of the gentleman from New
York (Mr. Raymond that the constitution
needs no amendment. l would rather not
live than live and be so disgraced by such a
sentiment. Now when everything is in
our p0wer-when the rebels have lifted
their paricidal hands against the country
and cut themselves Off from every right
under the laws of the Union-and every
right under repudiated constitution
shall we so recall this desire of our fathers
as to place it upon the broad foundation
of human rights, or shall we still cut off a
portion of those rights, and still crush be-
meath our feet four millions of immortal
men That is the question presented to
us and yet we are told that no amend
ment is necessary. Sir, let me tell the
gentleman who says this land those who
echo it) for their public information now,
and for the information of phiIanthropists
and the friends of freedom and the human
race, that | do not envy them the position
in which this, and only this, will put
them. Excuse me, sir, for going so far III
my remarks at this time.
Mir. RAYMOND. Irise simply to remark
that if the gentleman understood me tc
say no amendments whatever are needed
to the constitution. and that the constitu-
ton was better without them. he mi>rln-
derstood me, for | expressly said on thi.
very point of representation that some
amendment was necessary.
Mr. STEVENS (reSming.) | refer not
only to the gentleman FROM New York
but to what l take to be an authorized ut
tcrance of one at the other end of the ave
niue. l am glad that the gentleman ha.
Explained in that way. Now. sir. since
have referred to that believe | am right
for | have no doubt that this is the pro.
clamailon->the command of the president
of the United StateS-made and put forth
by authority in advance. and at Il tim,
when this congress was legi>lating on 1hi:
very question made. in my judgment, ii
violation of the privileges Of this house
made in such 4 way that centuries ago
had it been made to parliament by Brit.
iSh king. it would have cost him his head
But, sir, we pass that by. We are toler-
ant Of uSurpation in this tolerant govern
mcnt of ours. Now. sir, let me consider
what is the meaning of the proposition
made by the COMMUNICATIONS far ii ou"l
to be affected by any notifications i
has been amended by the committee il
obedience to what is supposed to be til,
sense of the house. The committee hay,
reported back the simple proposition tha
representation shall be apportloncd anon.
the states in proportion TO their numbers
that when the elective franchise shall h,
denied or abridged in any state on accoun
of race or color, all persons therein of >ucl
race or color shall be excluded from III,
basis of representation. But some of OH
friends are apprehensive that this is an
implied permission to the states TO rrgu
late the elective franchise within tho
states. Now, sir, venture to say thai
there is not any good philologi>t who, up
on reading this proposed amendment. viii
for moment pretend that ii either grants
a privilege or takes away privilege from
any state on that subject. 1t does. how,
ever, punish the abuse of that privilege. i
it exists Now | hold that the states hav,
the right, and have always had it, to tis
the elective franchise within their owl
states and hold that this does not TAX,
it from them. Ought it to take it from
them ? Ought the domestic affairs of tn,
states to he infringed upon by congress 81
far as to regulate the restrictions and quail
ifications of their voters How man,
states would adopt such L proposition
How many would allow congress 10 com,
within their jurisdiction to fix the quaIifi
cation Of their voters Would New
York Would Pennsylvania ? Woulc
the northwestern states l am sure no
one of them would. Therefore if yo,
should take away the right which now is
and always has been, exercised by TIN
, states, by fixing the qualification of thcil
electors, instead of getting nineteen state.
(Which is necessary to ratify the amend
ment), you might possibly get five.
} venture to say you could not get five il
the Union, and that is an answer, in TIN
opinion of the committee, to all that ha
been said on this subject. But it grant
: no right. 1t says, however, TO the state O