Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1866-06-07
RUTLAND HERALD.
FRIDAY, JUNE l, 1866.
reconstruction in the senate.

The result OF the Union Senatorial
Caucus was a unanimous agreement
upon the reconstruction amendment to
tbe constitution passed by the House,
with certain alterations which greatly
improye it. AS thus improved it will
command the support Of the Republi-
cans in the Senate, aud she alterations
will be concurred in by the House, We
NAV accordingly regard the COMPRESSION.
al policy as at length defined, The long
delay and discussion las not been with
out benefit, and when we take into con,
slderation the fact that hardly any two
sincere Republicans can be found
70 agree in every particular as
N the best course to be pursued
in the restoration Of the lately
rebelllous states, the country is to be
congratulated on the fact that members
of Congress have finally united upon a
definite plan. The disagreement among
Republicans has been seized upon by the
eager and troubled Democrats as a proof
that the Union party is falling to pieces.
But they have made the great mistake
of suppOsing the disagreement one of
principles, whereas it has only been one
of details. What the Democrats have
protessed to regard as proof of the weak
ness Of the Union party, has been in fact
chief evidence of its remarkable strength.
The close and careful attention given by
all members Of the party, the free but
earnest discussion, the consequent differ
ences Of opinion as to the best plan for
attaining the object had in view by all,
have been indications only of the great
devotion to principle which generally
animates the party and binds it together
as with bonds of steel tits nota blind,
unthinking following Of the unprinci-
pied leadership of few demagOgues,
and it therein differs from the party OPP
posed to it. The latter from its very
nature may show for the time less friC-
ton among its individual members, but
for the same reason, lacks the coherent
strength Of devotion to principle and to
Countrywide strongest tie that can bind
together party through all trials, per-
lis and honest differences as to detail or
mere policy.
1t is stated that a committee of Sena-
tors has been appointed to lay the recon-
struction resolutions, as agreed upon in
the Senatorial Caucus, before the Presi-
dent and ascertain his views in relation
thereto. This indicates disposition to
harmonic, if possible, with the Execu-
tive, and there is hope that the latter
will show like disposition, and that a
basis of cooperation by the two branch
es Of government may thus be agreed
upon. But if this desired result should
not be attained, the propositions of
amendment to the constitution agreed
upon by the Senators, as a basis of re-
construction, will without doubt pass
both Houses Of Congress by the reQui
site two-thirds vote, in substantially
their present shape, and upon them Con-
gress will confidently go to the people for
ratification Of its action.
Owing to the illness Of Senator Fes-
sender, chairman Of the committee
which drew up the report, Senator How
ard offered in the Senate on Tuesday the
amendments to the House recOnstruc.
ton resolutions, agreed upon in Caucus,
We give below the resolutions with the
proposals Of amendment
Insert at the beginning of the first
section the words, All persons born in
the United States, and subject to the iu
risdiction thereof, are citizens Of the
United States and the State wherein they
reside "
By this amendment citizenship in the
States, as well as the United States, is
defined. AS thus amended the first sec
ton will read -
Section l. All persons born in the
United States and subject to the iuris-
diCtion thereof, are citizens Of the United
States and Of the State wherein they re-
side. No State shall make or enforce
any law which shall abridge the priv
leges Or immunities of citizens Of the
United States, nor shall any State de-
prlye any person Of life, liberty or prop
erty without due process of law, nor
deny to any person within its jurisdic-
ton the equal protection Of the laws.
Section 2. Representatives shall be
apportioned among the several States
according to their respective numbers,
counting the whole number Of persons
IN each State, excluding Indians not
taxed but whenever in any State the
elective franchise shall be denied to any
number Of its male inhabitants, being
citizens Of the United States not less
than twenty-one years OF age, or in any
way abridged except for participation in
rebellion or other crime, the basis of rep
1 resentation in such State shall be re-
duced in the proportion which the num-
Der Of such male citizens shall bear to
the whole number of male citizens not
less than twenty-one years OF age in
such State.