The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-09-25
THE PROPOSED AMENDMENT.

For the information of our readers, we re-pub-
fish the proposed Constitutional Amendment as
adopted by the late Congress. Before it can be-
come part of the Constitution of the United
States it must be adopted by the Legislatures of
three-fourths of the States.
Joint ResotutiOn proposing an Amen1naent to
the Constitution Of the United States
Resolved by the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives Of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, (two-thrds of both Houses
concurring) That the following article be pro-
posed to the Legislatures of the several States, as
an amendment to the Constitution of the United
States, which, when ratified by three-fourhs OF
said Legislatures, shall be valid as part of the
Constitution namely:
ARTICLE H.
Section l. All persons born or naturazed 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 enforce any law which shall abrid"e the
privileges or ilnmunites of citizens Of the United
States; shall any State deprive any person of
life, liberty, or property without due process of
law, nor deny to any person within its iurisdic-
ton the equal protection of the laws.
Sec. 2. Representatives shall he apportioned
among the several States according to their re-
spectiye numbers, counting the whole number of
persons IN each State, excluding Indians not
taxed. But when the right to vote at any cleo
:lon for the choice of electors for President and
Vice-President of the United States, representa-
tlves IN Congress, the executive and judicial off
GERS of State, or the members of the Legislature
thereof is denied to any of the male inhabitants
OF such State being tweutysoue years of age and
citizens of the United States, or ir any way
abridged, except for participation in rebellion or
other crime, the basis of representation therein
shall be reduced in the proportion which the
number OF such male citizens shall bear to the
whole number of male citizens twentv-one wears
OF age IN such State.
Sec 3. No person shall be Senator or Repre-
sentative In Congress, elector Of President and
Nlce-PresIdent, or hold any office civil or militia
iy' uuder the united States, or under any State
who, having previously taken an oath. as a mem
Der OF Congress, or as officer of the United
States, or as member of any State Legislature
or as an executive judicial officer of anv State
to support the Constitution of the United States
shall have engaged in insurrecton or rebellion
against the same, or given aid or comfort to the
enemies thereof But Congress may, by vote of
two-thlrds o. each House, remove such disability
Sec I. The validity of the public debt of the
United States, authorized by law, including debts
incurred for payment of pensions and bounties
i iof services suppressing instruction or rebel
non, snail not be questioned. But neither the
onlteo States nor any State shall assume or pay
any ueot or obligation incurred in aid of insur-
lect'on or reoeiion against the United States, or
any claim for the loss or emancinat;one of an,
slave; but all such debts, Obligations and claims
shall be held illegal and void.
Sec. 5. The Congress shall have power to en-
force. by appropriate legislation, the provisions
of this article.