Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-09-28
The ISSUE.

What is the real issue between
Congress and the President? That
there is a difference of opinion be-
tween them as to how the States late
ly in rebellion, are to be reconstructed
is we'll known; but wherein that pre-
else difference consists is not as well
understood. 1t is our object to eX-
plain it here and now; and in doing
so we will first call attention to the
plan proposed by Congress; then to
"mg policy" The position which Con
gress at its late session took upon this !
question, is embodied in a new article
to the constitution. consisting of five
sections; and that all may see what
it is we give it entire. 1t is as fol
lows:
JOINT RESOLUTION PROPOSING AN AMEND !
MENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF THE
UNITED STATES.
BE It enacted By tie Senate and
House Of Representatives. Of the United
States Of america IN Congress as
semJled, (two-thirds of both houses
concurring) That the following arti-
Gle be proposed to the Legislatures
Of the several States as an amendment
to the Constitution Of the United
States, which, when ratified by three
fourths Of said Legislatures, shall be
valid as part of the Constitution,
namely:
ARTICLE XIv-SECTION |. All per-
sons born or naturalized in the United
States and subject to the jurisdiction
thereof, are citizens Of the United
States, and of the State wherein they
reside. No State shall make or en-
force any law which shall abridge the
privileges or immunities Of the citi-
zens of the United States nor shall
any State deprive any person Of life,
liberty or property, without due pro
cess of law, nor deny to any person
within it's jurisdiction the equal pro
lection of the laws.
SEC. 2. Representatives shall be
apportioned among the several States
according to their respective numbers
counting the whole number of per
sons in each State, excluding Indians
not taxed. But when the right tC
vote at any election for the choice o
Electors for President and Vice-Presi
dent of the United States, Represen
tatiyes in Congress, the executive ano
judicial officers of State, or the nem
ocr5 of the Legislature thereof is de
MED to any of the male inhabitants Of
such State, being twenty-one years OF
age and citizens of the United States
or in any way abridged, except fol
participation in rebellion + Other
crime, the basis of representation
therein shall be reduced in the pro
portion which the number Of Suci
male citizens shall bear to the whole
number of male citizens twenty-ont
years of age in such State.
Sec. 3. No person shall be a Sen
ator or Representative in Congress OF
elector of President or Vice-President
or hold an Office, civil or military, un
der the United. States, who, having pre-
yiously taken an oath as a member o
Congress, or as an officer of TIN
United States, or as a member OF an.
State Legislature, or as an executive
or judicial officer OF any State, to SUI
port the Constitution Of the Unite
States, shall have engaged in insul
rection or rebellion against the same
or given aid and comfort to the en'
mics thereof. But Congress may, b
two-thirds vote Of each House T.
move such disability.
Sec. 4. The validity of the publ
debt of the United States, authorize
by law, including debts inquired IL
payment of pensions and bounties #
service in suppressing insurrection al
rebellion, shall not be questioned
But neither the United States nor al
State shall assume or pay any de
or obligation incurred in aid Of inst
rection or rebellion against the Unit
States, or any claim for the loss
emancipation Of any slave; but
such debts, obligations, or CLAIM
shall be held illegal and void.
Sec. 5. That Congress shall ha
power to enforce by appropriate Il
islation, the provisions of this articl
1t will be seen that the first sect
defines citizenshipin the United Stat
and declares that that citizensI
must be respected by the differ,
States.
The second section provides t
representation in Congress sh
be made to depend upon the vot
population of the States; and tina
the elective franchise is withheld fir
any portion of the voting populat
Of any State, then the representa-
Of that State in Congress is to
abridged in corresponding mann
The necessity Of this is plain. Pr
to the war the rebel States were
titled to representation in Congr
for three-ffths of their slave popI
ton only. But now that that pop
ton has been declared free, and
come to citizenship in the Reput
they would be entitled, under the c
stitution as it now is, to represel
ton for the remaining fifth, wi
would increase the total numbe
Representatives from those St;