The Placer herald., 1866-02-03
The Presidents Views.

The following sentiments were expressed
BY President Johnson 10 a recent conversa-
-tion with Senator Dixon, of Connecticut.
and have been published with the Presidents
consent. The result has been that the
House has declared open war against him by
ihe passage of an amendment to the Const
tuition, providing that representation shall be
on the basis Of the aggregate population Of
excluding classes not allowed the suffrage or
civil rights by State law, and striking out
the section providing for direc. taxa.
tiop; and Tbad. Stevens said the putting
forth Of such sentiments, by the President
was a violation Of the privileges of the
House, and if done some centuries ago by
British King would have cost him bis head.
Fbe>wsr Of the radicals against the President
has at last commenced with all the bitterness
OF the clau and to the conservative men of the
country must be look for support. As long
,as be keeps on the right track, he can rely
'nPon the support of the Democracy, giant
power yet in the land:-
"The President said he doubted the pro.
,prieiy at this time of making any further
Amendments to the Constitution. One great
amendment bad already been made by which
slavery had been forever abolished within
the limits of the United States, and the ma,
tionaI guarantee thus given that the nstitur
zion should never again exist in the land
"Propositions to amend the Constitution
were becoming as numerous as resolutions
at town meetings called to consider the most
ordinary questions of local affairs. All this,
in bis opinion, had tendency to diminish
the dignity attached to the Constitution of
the country, and to lessen the respect and
tsoshdence of The people in this great charter
of freedom. If, however, amendments are
to bs made to it, changing the basis Of rep'
resentation and taxation--and be did not
deem them at all necessary at the present
time-he. knew Of none better than the sim
pie proposition embraced in few lines, ma
king in each State the number Of qualified
voters the basis Of representation, and the
value Of property the basis Of direct taxation
An amendment Of this kind would, in bis
opinion, place the basis ofrepresentatio and
direct taxation upon correct principles. The
qualified voters were for the most part, men
Who we're subject to draft and enlistment
when necessary torspel invasion, suppress re,
bsllion, and ,quell domestic violence and in.
surrsctiou. They risked their lives, shed
their blood and spent all to uphold the Gov
,ernment and give protection, security and
value to property. Il seemed but Just that
property should com psnsate for the benefits
thus conferred, by defrayiug the expenses in
eident to ito protection and the enjoyment
Of such. The amendment, the President al
30 suggested, would remove from Congress
NIL issues in reference to the political equality
Of races.
The President, 10 this connection, expressed
an opinion that the further agitation of the
negro franchise question in the Distrc: of
Columbia at this time, was mere entering
wedge to the agitation of the question
throughout the States, and was il'timed uu.
called for, and calculated 10 do great harm.
He believed that it would engendsr enmty
and strife between the races and lead 10 war
between them, which would result in great
injury to both, and certain determination to
The negro population. Precedence he
.bougbt, should be given to more important
and urgent matters, legislation on which was
essential for the restoration OF the Union, the
peace Of the country and the prosperity Of
The people"