Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-06-18
NUMBER I3Ois

freedom of slaves; and 10 that end l offer
the following amendment SO that the seq
tiOn shall read
Representatives shall be apportIoned
among the several States which may be In
cluded within the Union according to their
respective numbers. counting the whole
number of persons Ia each State, excluding
Indians not taxed, and excluding, also, two
hiths of such persons as have been discharg-
Ell from involuntary service by any procla-
nation OF the President of the United States
or by the amendment Of the Constitution of
the United States since the year 1851. and
to whom the elective franchise may be de-
MED.
IT. now, the objection is made In good
faith that the evil you wonld avoid Is the
Increase of Southern representation by the
freedom OF the slaves, then this amendment
Is agreeable TO yotI, and will be accepts
ed. But 1t will not be accepted If the pur-
pose really is to reduce the representation
of the agricultural sections, and thus rela-
lively increase the power of the manufac-
turing interests, aud perpetuate o policy
that enriches the capital OF one section and
bears'heaYily upon the capital and labor of
another. For five years no opportunity has
been lost to build up the Interests of the
Eastern States. With that end In view, tar
i'll and internal tax laws and drafts hare
-
uted so that now almost every investment
OF capital in that section yields from 10 to
100 per cent. profit, while In Indiana and
Illinois, the bushel Of corn that ought to be r
worth to the farmer fifty cents, being man
ufactured In whisky, is taxed eight dollars,
the bushel yielding four gallons. Mr.. Pres
ident rejoice In the prosperity OF any
section when it is the result of Legitimate,
trade, under equal laws, for then 1t Is the
prosperity of the whole country but call
upon the Western Senators TO hesitate be-
fore they surrender representation that Is
= reliable support to our greatinterest--ag-
riculture.
The third section provides that no person
shall ever hold any office under the United
States, or under any State, who, having al
any time taken the oath prescribed by the
Constitution as an officer Of the United
States or of any State, shall engage In re-
bellion or give aid and comfort to the pub
lie enemies. The proposition to exempt
from the operations of the section those who
against their will were compete ed to par
ticipate in the rebellion was voted down.
and the section now stands excluding from
all offices every person of the described
class who either voluntarily or involuntailry
became connected with the rebellion; and
that, to-, notwithstanding the party may be
under the shield of the Presidents pardon.
This harsh aud sweeping mt azure will in
clude many excellent men whose services
now in the work of reconstruction would
be of the greatest value to the country
men who displayed heroic courage In stand
ing out against the secession movement,
but who atCerward yielded obedience TO and
served the established Government de 6dcto.l
This measure is in the spirit that pursued
the supporters of Cromwell and the par
| lament after the restoration. 1t is in the
| spirit OF vengeance after men that are
beaten and have surrendered, and can not
bring blessing to our country. Senators
| say that the measure is not penal in its
character. Why not? When pardoned ,
are not these men eligible to State and
Federal offices? And do you not tpropose
to strip them of their eligibility because of
their crime? suppose the Senator from,
Illinois (Mr. TrumbulD by referring to the
| criminal code OF his own State will find it
prescribed as punishment for crime that
parties shall be ''disiranchised and rendered
incapable of holding any office of trust or
profit" That is as much punishment as
the fine or the imprisonment, aud is
found in the criminal codes of many of the
| States. Its a penalty when the court aud
jury strip the accused of his right to hold
| office. What it, then, whendOneb by Con-
gress?
Tue Senator from West Virginia (Mr.
Wiley says that it is measure of safety
| for the tuture--a precautiOn. So the judge
tells the convicted criminal the law esteems
himunfit to hold office, and as precaution
the right is take from him. AS penalty
for crime this measure is erpoSt fdcto; aud il
it were a measure of ordinary legislation
would therefore be unconstitutional. Mr..
| President, do you think there will ough
| good come of this to justify us in departing
| from the principle which Is found In the
Constitution OF the United States, and of
every State in the Union, that q man shall
be punished only according to the law in
force at the time the act Is done?
The fourth section provides that the pub
lie debt shall remain inViOlate. Who has
asked us to change the Constitution for the
| benefit of the bond-holder,? Are they so
much more meritorious than all other class
es that they must be specially provided for
| in the Constitution? Or, indeed, do we dis
trust ourselves, and fear that we will all be-
come regulators? 4.
A provision like this would, 1 should
think, excite distrust, and cast shade on
public credit. But perhaps the real pur-
pose is to hedge in the bond d.hOlders by
| constitutional provision as that they never
may be taxed; that Congress can never as
| sent to their taxation, and 80 that SO 000,-
100000 of capital may bear no portion Of
the public burden. Such would be theef-
feet of this amendment. Who has at acked
public credit, or questions the obligation TO
pay the public debt? Are the bond hold.
ers not receiving their interest, in advance.
and in gold Why, then. do they ask this
extraordinary guaranteed They trusted
the good faith of the people, and there is no
breach of that faith. When things entirely
unusual are asked, 1t is well for the people
to inquire why it is, what is the purpose,
and how far will it carry us? The provis-
ion about bOunties and pensions Is butlA
blind. The man wh1 wrote the section
knew that bounties and pensions need no
guarantee; that their payment Is secured
not only by law, but there is also the pledge
of the honor and the hearts of the people.
Mr.. President, l stand by the public cred-
it, which is public honor and individual
safety. But, sir, how shall we uphold our
credit and secure our creditors !? By Just
laws, by equal taxation, by. distributing
equally over the entire nation the burdens
OF Government, that they may rest upon
the shoulders of all sections aud interests.
Then there will be no diScontent, no grum-
bling, buta satisfied people In their strength
will carry every obligation Of the Govern
ment until discharged and public credit
will thenbe as firm ~ the solid foundations
of this Capitol. -o .is.r..a., '''V
The fifth section declares the debts con-
tracted in aid of the rebellion Illegal, and
prohibits their payment Mr.. President who
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