The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-11-14

poSt tdctO law, which is contrary 10 the whole
spirit oi modern civilization. The creation of a
pl nalty to be imposed a, a pun shment for an aci
after mat particular act has been committed, his
a hng unknown in the history of enlightened
llher'y. Such a mode Of dealing with citizens
G. arged with otenses again stgOvernment belong
only TO despotic tyrants. 1t may accomplish re-
Vengeiul purposes, but il is not the proper mode
of administering Justice. The adoption OF this
amendment would vacate nearly all the offices
IN most OF the unrepresented States. 1t would
summary and ruthlessly sweep away Gov
eInofs, Judges, Legislatures, SherifIs, Justices
OF the Peace, and Constables, and thus the
S'ate Governments would be completely broken
up; indeed, they would be reduced TO utter and
hopeless anarchy, as the des royed States co I'D
leaVe behind them no authoritative provision
for the re-estabishment of governmental order
Inc great mass OF the people in the non-repre
senleu states are now practically excluded
rom all Feceral offices by stringent test-oath
whlch was placed upon the statute-book while
Ine war was raging, We have high Off
clal authority for saying that the dsabili-
ties imposed by that test oath are seriously
1etllmentai to the interest of the Government
III some OF ITS important branches. Communi
cations TO this effect were addressed to Congress
at Its recent session by the Secretary OF the
treasury, and the Postmaster General, and that
9S% 9E9S was vas Appealed to for relief There is no
difficulty in finding men whose present loyalty
ls undoubted, and who would make efficient
revenue collectors and postmasters but the
lnexorable test oath Is so broad and sweeping
'hC NpNcLumtub Is OF Ileu ser
vices. II was clearly in the power of Congress
TO grant the relief asked for by majority vote
put am not aware that II was done in a single
instance. This proposed third section would
not only add greatly to the disabilities of the
test oath, but it would abridge the relieving
power OF Congress by requiring vote of two
thlrds instead of a majority.
After reviewing the whole subject the Gov.
ernor says:-'T am decidedly of the opinion
that this amendment should not be ratified
The first section embodles principle dangerous
toithe liberties of the people OF the whole coun.
try, and is as applicable 70 New York and Mas
sachusetts as to Alabama. The third section
would bring no possible good to the represented
states, while it would reduce those uurepre-
sented to utter anarchy aud ruin. We are sim
cerely deslrous OF a complete restoration OF
the Union. We want conciliation, har.
mony, and national tranquility. We feel
that we have given every evidence of
an honest purpose to conform In good faith
TO the condition of things surrounding us. Ala
bama is as true to-day to tie Constitution, laws,
and general Government as any State of the
Union. Under the Internal Revenue law tax on
cotton the people of the State are now paying a
revenue to the Government of nearly 10, 600, 600
or dollars year. In the enactment of these
laws we have had no voice. The amendment
vas proposed when nearly one-thtrd of the
States were unrepre-ented and all its harsh fea-
tlrPs aimed at the States thus excluded The
ratification of such an amendment, under such
circumstances. cannot accomplish any good to
the country, and might bring irretrievable dis.
aSter."