The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-11-01
Letter from secretary
Browning on the Con-
StitUtiOnal Il mend
Fnents.
Their Adoption Would Result in
Revolution of the Whole StruCt-
ure OF the Govern ment.
(Coneluded.)

The third section Of the proposed amend
ment disfrsnchises the great ma orlty of the
educated men of the states which have been
in rebellion, and excludes them from any
participation in the affairs Of the state and
federal government. The entire control of
the government of those states will be placed.
In the hands of msagre minority of the
men st all qualified for such control and
they, as q general thing, not OF the most in
telligent and capable classes. No such
sweeping and indsoriminate prescription is
remembered since the days of Philip IL. of
Spain It is not to be expected in this age
and country, and with our race,a majority of
the educated men of ten states will long SUBJ
NIT to be excluded from ali share in making
and administering the laws by which their
lives, liberties, and property are to be judg-
ed, without the constant presence and pres
sure OF a force adequate to coerce obedience.
The adoption of this amendment will involve
the necessity of maintaining an army to en-
force it, which of itselfwill be dangerous to
liberty, and add greatly 10 the burdens of
taxation, already grlsyous.
can see no good TO result from the propos-
ed amendment. | see much evil We had
better adhere to the form OF government
which our fathers gave Us. 1t Is, in my
Judgment. the most perfect political produc-
ton OF human wisdom and patriotism. For
three-quarters of century IL secured US I'M
exsmpled prosperity and happiness, and, at
the end of that time, enabled US to meet and
overcome the most stupendous rebellion IN
the history of nations. Why change it,
For seventy five years we have hardly known
that we had government. When we did
know it, we knew it only by it's bensfcencs.
And it has shown itself as strong as bsnsf-
cent, capable OF successful resistance of the
fercest aud most desperate assaults that 1t is
possible to make upon government. Why
change it just as it has vindIcated its power
and glory, and lifted Us to al eminence
among the nations OF the earth we never till
now attained?
We have tried the old constitution and
know it's capabilities We have not tried
the new, as proposed, but can readily see the
confusion and disaster which it would bring.
We had better let well enough alone. But,
if we should change it at all, we should not
change it now. The public temper wss never
less auspicious to calm, conscientious, wise
consideration of great questions of state
Passion and pre- udice should never lay rude
hands upon fundamental and organic laws
In day they they may do mischief which
years of repentant, patriotic labor will not
repair. In a day they may open Pandora g
box which the patriotism and craftsmanship
VI Il CcAtuiy may mo- bo 1Dis &c rhus
| do not regard the recent and pending
elections az indicative of the judgment of the
people Of the northern states upon the con-
stitutionai amendments. They are really
not the issues presented to aud considered by
the people. They have not been oalmly and
dispusslonateiy discussed and reflected upon.
The people have had their fears alarmed and
their preIudlces and passions aroused, and
perhaps never voted under more delusive
ideas as to the character of the issues before
the country.
The people have been assured that Presi-
dent johnson Is a traitor and q usurper He
nsurped no power. When the instruction
airy governments were overthrown and expell-
ca tue stars were lett with constitutions
which, ccordlng to the most solemn sano-
tions of the federal constitution. had been do
olared repu blican IN form, and under which
those states had for MANY wears maintained
their place constituent msmher of tho Tn.
Ion. But they had DO ORGANIZATIONS undar
their constitutions. The President +bero.
fore, doing what 1t was his imperative dutv
as commander-In-c chief to do. and what he
81 would have oeen most culpab bic for not doi,,,
prevented anarchy by appointing temporsry
provisional governors under whose advice
the people brought their regular government,
again into operation under their constitu
ti0ns. This was tnlng with winch congress
had nothing to do. 1t was matter purel,
of military cognlzance.
The public enemy had just bsen expelle
by military force, and it was the duty of th
commander in-chief to see that anarchy an
confusion did not ensue. and that the ma
ohlnery of the legitimate governments wa
again put in operation for the preservation Q
order and the protection of life, liberty ant
property from lawless violence. 1t Was tn
duty of the President, TOO, as the executive
head of the nation, to see to it that the ma
tional laws were executed and the relation
between the states and federal government
restored. President Lincoln had taken pre-
cisely this action In respect to Virginia, Ten
nessee, Louisiana and Arkansas, for whic
he was applauded and Endorsed by congress
during the first three years of the war, an
thereafter vehementiy denounced by til
same men who now most violently denounc
President johnson for precisely the sam
reasons. A protest was entered by the rad
Gals against Mr.. Lincoln's denomination
the Presidency, end convention called
Cleveland to supercede him ss the candidate
for resolutely adhering to his restoration pol