The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-06-28
The Union Republican Platform.

Political events are so shaping themselves
or being so shaped, that the reconstruction
amendments of the constitution, are going
to be THE question at issue between the two
great parties of the country. There is ev-
cry probability that the Republican Party
will be a unit in favor of the amendments.
They are SO moderate-so manifestly just
and so completely embody the Republican
idea of equal justice to all-equality in Rep
resentation and equality in taxation-that
no Republican, however conservative, Gun
less, indeed he he an apostate, utterly,) can
oppose them while those who had looked
for broader and more comprehensive con-
cession to the cause Of
Freedom, as a basis of construction
those in short who have been styled radicals
will accept it as the best under the cir
cumstances, that they can secure. Copper
head Democracy, true to its instincts, and
true to the disloyal policy it pursued
throughout the Rebellion, will as strenuous
ly and persistently oppose the amendments
not because they are unjust, unequal or
inconsistent with a single principle of real
democracy, but because the faction mis-
called democracy has linked its fortunes
with secession, disunion and rebellion.
For our own part, we want no better is
sue with which to appeal to the people
The question of the justice of making the
voting popu lation the basis of representa-
ton, is SO manifesto ''plain, that the
way faring man, though fool need not err
therein" If there is any good reason why
the vote of one man in South Carolina
should be potent as the votes of three men
in Wisconsin, the Solons of Copperhead Dem
ocracy can probably make it apparent In
the meantime the Republicans Of Wiscon-
sin will take it for granted that they are
as intelligent as loyal, as patriotic, and
therefore entitled to the same representation
and the same voice in the government OF
the country as the same number in any
other State of the Union, and will therefore
labor for the amendments to the constitu-
ton.
That there may be no misapprehension-
no chance for misrepresenta ton on the sub
iect, we publish again in full
The Reconstruction Constitutional Amend
mentS.
Joint resolution proposing an amendment
to the Constitution of the United States.
Resolued, by the Senate and House of Rep
ressntatjUe8 of the United States Of Amerdca,
IN Congress assembled, tagO-thirdS Of both
houses c0ncUrTjag, That the following ar
ticIe be proposed to the Legislatures of the
several States as an amendment to the Con-
stitution of the United States, which, when
ratified by three-fourths of the Legislatures,
shall be valid as part of the Constitution,
namely:
ARTICLE, SEQ. l. All persons born or
naturaized in the United States and sub
ject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens
of the United States and of the State where
in they reside. No State shall make or en-
force any laws which shall abridge the priv
ileges or immunities of citizens of the Uni
ted States; nor shall any State deprive any
person of life, liberty or property without
due process of law, nor deny to any person
within its jurisdiction the equal protection
of the laws
SEQ 2. Representatives shall be appor
toned among the several States according
to their respective numbers, counting the
whole number of persons in each State, ex-
Guiding Indians not taxed; but whenever
the right to vote at any election for electors
of President and Vice President, or for Uni
ted States Representatives in Congress, Ex-
ecutive and Judicial officers, or the MEM
bers of the Legislatures thereof is denied
to any male inhabitants of such State, be-
ing 81 years of age, and citizens of the
United States, or in any way abridged, ex-
cept for participation in rebellion, or other
crimes, 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, 81
years of age, in such State.
SEQ. g. No person shall be a Senator or
Representative III Congress, or elector of
President and Vice President, or hold any
office civil or military, under the United
States, or under any State, who, having
previously taken oath as member of Con-
gress, or as an officer of the United States,
or as a member of any State Legislature,
or as an executive or judicial officer of any
State to support the Constitution of the
United States, shall have engaged in insur-
rection or rebellion against the same, or
given aid or comfort TO the enemies thereof;
but Congress may by vote of two-thirds
OF each house, remove such disability.
SEQ. 4. The validity of the public debt of
the United States, authorized by law, in
Guiding debts incurred for the payment of
pensions and bounties for services in snp-
pressing instruction and rebellion, shall
not be questioned; but neither the United
States nor any State shall assume or pay
any debt or obligation incurred in aid of
instruction or rebellion against the United
States, or any claim for loss for the eman
cipation of any slave; but all such debts,
obligations and claims shall be held illegal
and void.