The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-08-25

preston of an insurrcction against the
Government gives additional authority
and power to that Government, espc-
cially that It enlarges the jurisdiction of
Congress and gives that body the right
to exclude States from representation IN
the national councils, without which
the nation itself can have no authority |
and no existence, seems to us at variance
alike with the principles of the Consti-
tuition and with the public safety.
THHd. But it is alleged that in certain |.
particulars the Constitution of the Uni |
ted States fails to secure the absolute |
justice and impartial equality which ,
the principles of our Government re-
uuire; that it was in these respects the
result of compromises and concessions
| to which, however necessary when the
Constitution was formed, we are no
longer compelled to submit, and that
now, having the power through success
full war and Just warrant for its exercise
in the hostile conduct of the insurgCnt
section, the actual Government of the
United States may impose its own con-
diUons, and make the Constitution con-
form in all its provisions to its own ideas
of equality and the rights Of man. Con-
gross at its last section proposed amend
mcnts to the Constitution, cnarging in
some very important particulars the
authority of the General Government
E over that of the several States, and re-
ducing, by indirect disfranChiScmcnt,t the
, representative power If the States in
which slavery formerly existed; and it
is claimed that these amendments may
= be made valid a parts of the original
: Constitution without tine concurrence of
: the States to be most seriously affected
/ by them, or may be imposed upon those
n States by thrcc-foufths of the remaining
: States, as conditions of their rcadmission
It to representation in Congress and in the
| Electoral College.
Il It Is the unVuc>tionablc right of the
>. people of the United States to make
Il such changes in the Constitution as they,
II upon due dclibrration, may deem expo
c dicnt. But we insist that they shall be
l. made in the mode which the Constitu
'S ton itself points 0ut-in conformity
Il with the letter and the spirit of that in
l. strumcnt, and with the principles OF
d scli-gOVcrnmcnt and Of equal right
II which lie at the basis OF our republican
II institutions. We deny the right of Con
H. grcss to make these changes III the funda
H. mental law without the concurrence o
or three fourthS OF all the States, including
~ especially those to be most seriously al
H. fcctCd by them, or to impose them upO
III State. or people, as conditions of repre-
l" sontation or Of admission to any of tn
n rights, duties, or obligations which he
lc lone under the Constitution to all tn
ne States alike. And with still create
rs emphasis do we deny the right of an
Mt portion of the States, excluding the rc,
ld of the States from any share in thci
'd councils, to propose or sanction change
n, in the Constitution which are to afirt
nj permanently theirpOlitical relations an
de- control or cocrcc the legitimate action o
al the several members Of the cOmmO
" Union. Such an exercise Of power
II smplyu usUrputiOn; just rs unWarnnt
he able when exercised by Northern State
he as it would be if exercised by Southern
So and not to be fortified or palliatcd b
mt anything in the past history either o
N. those by whom it is attempted or o
~ those upon whose rights and liberties
&C is 10 take affect. 1t finds no Warran
or in the Constitution. 1t is at war wit
ii the fundamental principles of our forl
as of Government. If tolerated in on
he instance, ii becomes the precedent #
lr- future invusion- of all liberty and COZ
OF Sti;utional right dependent solely upo
the will Of the party in possession q
Irt power, and thus leads, by direct an
IA necessary consequence, to the ln0
rat fatal and intolcrahlc Of all tyramni,
"; the tyranny Of shifting and irrcspol
ch siblc political factions. 1t is again
he this, the most formidable Of all In
ror dangers which menace the stability q
lis free government, that the Constitute
ws of the United States was intended mo
the carefully to provide. We demand
ar, stric. and -tcallAst adherence to lis pr
INT visions. In this, and in this alone, c;
cc, we find Il basis of permanent union AZ
JN- peace.
Of i0,g9h. But it Is alleged, in .ustilic
n-t ton Of the uSurpation which we co
ne ,dvmn, that the condition of the Sout
ion cm States and people is not such
Sos renders safe their rcudmi-sion toa sha
ith in the Government of the country; tn
lcir they are still disloyal in sentiment al