The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-08-30

lilc representative power Oh me States
in which slavery formerly existed; and
may be made valid as parts of the orig
inal constitution without the concurrence
OF the States to be most seriously affec-
ted by them, or may be imposed upon
those States by three-fourths of the re-
naming States, as conditions Of their
readmission to representation in Con-
gress and in the Electoral College.
1t is the unquestionable right of the
people of the United States to make
such changes in the constitution as they
on due deiiberation, may deem expedi-
ent. But we insist that they shall be
made in the mode which the constitu-
ton itself points out--in conformity
with the letter and the spirit of that in
strument, and with the principles of
self-governmtnt and of equal rights
which lie at the basis of our republican
institutions. We deny the right Of Con-
gress to make these changes in the fun
damental law without the concurrence of
three-fourths of all the States, Include
ing especially those to be most serious
ly affected by them; or to impose them
upon the States or people as conditions
OF representation, Or of admission to any
OF the rights, duties Or obligations which
belong under the constitution to all the
States alike. And with still greater en-
phass do we deny the right Of any por-
ton of the States in excluding the rest
of the States from any share i'll their
councils, to propose or sanction changes
in the constitution which are to affect
permanently their political relations and
control or coerce the legitimate action of
the several members Of the common
Union. Slch an exercise of power is
simply a usurpation; just as unwarrant-
able when exercised by Northern States
as it would be if exercised by Southern,
and not to be justified or palliated by
by anything in the past history either
OF those by whom it is attempted or Of
those upon whose rights and liberties it
is to take effect. 1t finds no warrant in
the constitution. 1t lisa war with the
fundamental principles of our form Of
government. Iftoleratedin oneinstance
ii becomes the precedent for future iii-
vasion of liberty and constitutional right,
dependent solely upon the will Of the
party in possession of power, and thus
leads, by direct and necessary sequence
to the most fatal and intolerahle OF all
tyrannies-the tyranny of shifting and
irresponsible political factions. 1t is
against this, the most formidable OF all
the dangers which menace the stability
Of free government, that the constitu-
ton Of the United States was intended
most carefully to provide. We demand
a strict and steadfast adherance to its
provisions. HI this and in this alone can
we find Il basis OF p, fmanent union aud
peace.
IoA1h-I3ut ii is alleged, in justifica-
tien oi the usurpation Weeondemn, that
the condition OF the Southern States and
people is not such as renders safe their
re-adnission to q share il the govern
ment OF the country; that they are still
disloyal in sentiment and purpose, and
that neither the honor, the credit nor
the interests of the nation would be safe
if they were readmitted to a share in its
councils; We might reply othis:-First
that we have no right, for such reasons,
to deny to any portion of the States or
people rights expressly conferred upon
them by the constitution of the United
States; second, that so long as their acts
are those of loyalty-so long rs theyeon-
form in all their public conduct to the
requirements OF the constitution and
laWs-We have no right to exact from
them conformity in their sentiments and
opinions to our own; third, that we have
no right to distrust the purpose or abiii-
ty of the people of the Union to protect
and defend, under all contingencies and
its honor and it's welfare.
These would, in our Judgment, be full
and conclusive answers to the plea thus
advanced for the exclusion of these States
from the Union, But we say, further,
that this plea rests upon a complete mis-
apprehension or an unjust preversion of
existing facts.
We do not hesitate to affirm that there
is no section Of the country where the
constitution and laws of the United States
find a more prompt and entire obedience
than in those States and among those
people who were lately in arms against
them; Or where there is less purpose or
danger of any future attempt to over
throw their authority. 1t would seem
to be both natural and inevitable that
in States and sections SO recently swept
by the whirlwind Of war, where all the
ordinary modes and methods OF organ
lied industry have been broken up and
the bonds and influences that guarantee
social order have been destroyed--wh
thousands and tens OF thousands of tur-
bu!ent spirits have been suddenly loosed
from the discipline Of war and thrown
without nv