The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1866-11-10
eseigla q be Howasd Aasaansas.
Extract from the Message Of Goo. Jenkins to

y AS Sefmale TO the SUBJECT already discuss
ed, / call yonr attention to another proposed
amendment of the Constitution of the United
States, transmitted to me by the Secretary of
State, and accompanying this communica-
ton. The fact that your acction upon it is
thus invoked, imposes on you an obligation
to consider it respectfully
This amendment, designed, like all of re-
cent origin. to operate especially on the
Southern States, contains several sections, to
some of which 1 invite special attention
1. The prominent feature of the first is,
that it settles definitely the right of citizen
ship in the several States, as political COM
munities, thereby depriving them in the flu
ture of all discretionary power over the sub
ject within their respective limits, and with
reference to their State Governments proper
1t makes all persons of color, Born in the
United States, citizens.
2 The second changes the basis of repre-
sentation in the popular branch of the Con-
gress and in presidential electoral colleg-
es. 1t provides that, in apportioning repre-
sentation among the States, ALI persons Except
Indians not taxed) shall be taken into enum-
Grafton, unless the elective franchise be deni-
ed in any State to any male inhabitants, be-.
ing citizens of the United States, and TWEEN
ty-one years of age, or be in any manner
abridged otherwise than as punishment
for crime,) in which event the representation
shall be proportionately reduced.
=. Whether the object in proposing this
change be the extension of the elective fran
chise to persons of African descent, (nearly
all of whom are VIGOROUSLY unqualified for
it, or a further diminution of the already re-
lat1vely small weight of the Southern States
in the administration of the Government,
the adoption of this amendment will certain
ly force upon them choice between those
evils. If the former be the real object, the
latter alternative must be regarded simply
as penalty for refusing it. In this view,
it is not difficult to expose the fragrant in us
tice of the proposition. Let us consider
briefly how the amendment will affect States
wherein slavery did not exist prior to the
war, and how those wherein it existed. In
the former class the selection of the one or
the other alternative will be only matter of
taste, no great public interest being involved.
If the franchise be extended, the number
thus newly admitted to the ballot will be so
small that 40 appreciable effect upon popu-
lar elections can result. If refused, the num-
Der excluded from the enumeration in fixing
the ratio of representation will still he so
small, that the consequent reduction would
not be seriously felt, and in some instances
would probably he merely fractional, produ-
cling no cnrtailment at all Now, look to
the other class of States There the number
of voters proposed to be enfranchised. and
wholly unprepared for the trust would be
immense, and the disturbance in the motive
power of Republican machinery incalculable.
There, too, on the other hand, if the fran
chise be withheld, the reduction of represen-
tation would be vast. Is there fairness, is
there justice ia proposed change so differ
emily affecting different portions of Il cotnl-
try, united under common Government for
the common veal Would the enforcement
of such Il change by majority, it could not
harm, upon minority it must ruin, bespeak
magnanimity
1t may be said in reply that the Constitu
ton does not respect sectional differences
that it was designed for the protection and
advancement of personal rights. To large
extent this is an egregious error. The IN
ion was originally designed mainly for the
conduct of foreign affairs and common de
Tense, leaving to the States the regulation OF
their domestic concerns. The constitution
resulted from compromise OF sectional in
terests, without which it could not have
been formed. Indeed, in that compromise,
the rights and interests of the Caucasian as
affected by the presence of a very large Atrl-
can population in some of the States, were
considered and adjusted. The African ele
ment whether bond or free, was computed
alike with reference to this identical subject
of representation, and alike ignored regard
ing the elective franchise.
The objection now urged against the amend
i,1eut is that it will fall upon citizens inhab-
iting one latitude like an avalanche from its
mountain perch crushing where it settles !,
whilst upon those of another latitude it will
alight rnfeit like feather floating in still
air.
3. The third section engrafts upon the
fundamental law new disqualification for
office, State and Eederal-a djsqua ALLEGATION
not + he result of any act to be done after the
adoption of the amendment, bat consllmmu-
ted before its conception. The act entailing
disqualification for Office consists IN having
heretofore taken am oath to support tie Con-
stitution of the United States, and having
thereafter engaged in rebellion or insurrcc-
ton against the same, or "haSIng given aid
and comfort to the enemies thereof. Con
siderinp the number of our citizens who have
IL ken the oath under the circumstances set
forth, the number personally engaged IN the
war, and the breadth of ground covered by
the word s'0irinq MD and comfort to tie enc
mics thereot,,'' we can readily perceive the
sweeping character of the Disqualification
1t is as distinctly proscriptive as II the per,
sons to be affect ed had been ascertained and
their names inserted.
Let it be noted, also, that the prescribed
arc all dwclIcrs on one side OF certain ge
oyraphical line, whilst the authors OF the
prescription have their local habitatlon on
the other side.
It is quite rem arkable, moreover, that there
is in the entire section no saving clause IN Ia
vor of those vino, in the interval between the
cessation of hostilities and the adoption OF
the Amendment, may have received the am
nesty of the Government. Pardoned they
NAV have been, but disfranchised they will
be-
You are asked to give your consent that
such fate be visited upon many OF your best
citizens who have long enjoyed the pubic
confidence, and some of whom now I'LL I'M,
portant public trusts. Gan Georgia spare all
of these from her service?
8. The fifth and last section empowers the
Congress 6 to enforce, by appropriate leglsi q.
will be commended that they are the proper
iudges Of what constitutes appropriate legls-
Iation. IF. therefore, the Amendment be
adopted, and fractional Congress, from
which the Southern States, chiefly Interested
in Il. are excluded, be empowered Ito en-