Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1866-03-13

| in hour living, thinking, moving, responsible
beings, and citizens of the United States.
And if Congress does not do something to pro-
vide for these people, if they do not prove equal
to their duty and come up to their work like men,
the condition OF those people will be worse than
| it before The accumulated prejudices of
centuries, together with the unmltigated wrath OF
those who have held them in bondage, but by
reason of the rebellion can no longer hold proper
| ty in man, will culminateiupon their heads.
And now, sir, what is the duty of the American
people toward these men? Is 1t sufficient that
| We have merely knocked the shackes from their
limbs Is it sufficient have made them
freedmen and left them cold, hungry, and naked
without the power of attaining one OF those natur-
al rights which make freedom not only name
but power? Is that all that the American Con-
gress and the American people are to do with
those peo PIE who by the result of the consti
tutlonal amendment have come forth from state
OF bondage into state of freedom
But it may be said that all this may be done
by legislation. | rather inclined to think
that the most OF II may be SO accom- pilshed. But
the experience of this Congress in that regard has
been most unfortunate. Sir, | cast n, imputa
ton upon the President of the United States.
believe tlm to be NEST, able, and patriotic
And pray God that the sea of d.scord may be-
come quiet, and that the Pre- ident and Congress,
acting together firmly, manfuy and fer he right,
may preserve the great party of freedom, upon
which, IN my judgment, depends not only the
liberty OF the republic, but the advancement of
free principles and OF Christian civilization though
out the world. But inasmuch Us the President,
honestly, have no doubt, has told that there
were constitutional difficulties in the way, simply
suggest that We submit the proposition TO the
people, that they may remove these objections by
amending the instrument Itself.
w hat is the object ofthe proposed amendm =?
1t merely gives the power to Congress 20 enact
those laws which will give 10 a citizen of the U nj
led States the natural ri ights which necessarily
pertain to citizenship. Ii is intended to enable
Congress, by its enactments, when necessary, to
give citizen OF the United States, in whatever
State he may be, those privileges and immunities
which guaranteed TO him for under the Con-
stitution of the United States. II is intended 10
enable Congress to give TO all citizens inalienable
rights and liberty, and TO every citizen n what
ever State ne may De that protection TO his prop
ertv which /, extended to the other citizens OF the
Stats
Sr, Is there anything snti-republican in this !?
Is there anything wrong in this +? Is there any
thing which lnterferes with the sovereign power
oil 4 St4te That 9dheres 10 republican form of
government? Is here not rather in this tend
ency TO keep the States within their orbits and
oy what the gentleman from New Jersey Mr..
RoGERsI would call organic law insure ana St
cure forever TO every citizen Of the United States
government There is nothing else in this propo-
sltlon.
1t does not destroy the Sovereignty of State,
If such th ing 1t does even affect is
sovereign rights, but merely keeps whatever SOW
eregnty it may have IN harmony with a republi-
can form of government and the Constitution of
the country.
Mr.. HALE. VIII the gentleman allow me to
ask him question.
Mr. WOODBRIDGE No sir the gentleman
must excuse me, have bat five minutes an d
that by courtesy. l believe that this amendment
is not only Justhabie, but necessary. | approach
an amendment of the Constitution with as much
shrinking and with as much hesitation as anv man
on the floor OF this House. | have The highest
opinion of that great charter which was founded by
our fathers.
But, sir, the age is age Of progress. The
conditions of society different from what the
fathers anticipated and fully believe that if We
meet the oblcatIous which We owe 10 The country,
We must pass amendment of this or of a sim
liar character.
Inc adoption of this amendment, Mr.. Speaker,
will be no shock upon the present well-arangsd
system, defining the powers OF the Genera! Gov
eminent and the States, under which we have so
happily lived. The condition OF The freedmen, if
nothing else, demands the adoption of this resc-
utioni and, in my judgment, the people viii
not have done their whole duty uu til they see TO
1t that the amendment is adopted.