The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-11-16

ing interests in common with them
and their influence ought to be felt in
shaping the laws by which their rights
of life, liberty, and property, are to be
determined. And although they do
not vote, their influence is sfeItand their
interests are cared for, precisely because
they are counted in fixing the relative
weight of the communities to which
they belong in the legislative assem-
blies, although their voices are not di-
rectly heard in determining who shall
represent them.
1t is not true, as is constantlyalleged,
that the relative strength Of the States
which were in rebellion will be in
creased by the results Of the war if
they are now allowed representation
in the National Councils The present
ratio Of representation is adjusted by
the census of 1860, and cannot be chan
ged until after the census Of 1870. Till
that time, therefore, the relative
strength of the several States of our
country must remain precisely as it
was under the census of 1860. After
the census Of 1870 the positive and rel
ative strength Of the Southern States
in Congress and the Electoral College
will both be diminished, even if the
non-voting black population be inclu-
ded in the basis. In 1860 three-ffths
Of all the black population of the South
ern States was counted. The census of
1870 will show the whole Of the non
voting black population to be less than
the three-fifths of 1860.
Nor is it true that vote in the South
will outweigh vote in the North, if
the non-voting negro population be in
cluded in the basis of representation.
If the proposed amendment be adopt
ed, all the non-voting black population
Of the South will be excluded, while
all the non-voting, unnaturalized for
eign population of the North will be
counted. The great preponderance Of
unnaturalized, and consequently non
voting foreigners, is in Northern and
Northwestern States. They and their
families number hundreds of thou
sands, perhaps millions, and yet they
are all counted in fixing the ratio of
representation. They area part of the
community. They help to make up
the strength and productive wealth Of
the State, and ought to be computed in
fixing its political power. But if it is
right to count non-voting population
in one State, tits equally right to count
it in another. And if counted in one
and not in another, it gives the one an
advantage over the other Incompatible
with the equality of the States and of
dangerous and revolutionary tendency.
While the eunnatuTalized, nOn-voting
population Of one section OF the coun-
try will be constantly increasing, the
non-voting black population Of the
other section, by obvious causes, not
now necessary to be mentioned, will
be as constantly decreasing. It would
be better for all parties and interests,
and far morehopefuI for the perpetuity
of our Government, if something like
an equilibrium Of strength between
the different sections Of the country
could be maintained.
The Sd section of the proposed a.
mendments disfranchises the great ma
jOrity Of the educated men of the
States which have been in rebellion,
and excludes them from any participa-
ton in the affairs of theState and Fed
eral Governments. The entire control
of the government of those States will
be placed in the hands of a meagre mi
nority Of the men at all qualified for
such control; and they, as a general
thing, not Of the most intelligent and
capable classes. No such sweepingand
indiscriminate prescription is remem-
bered since the days of Philip II, Of
Spain. 1t is not to be expected that in
this age and country, and with our
race, a majority of the educated men
of ten States will long submit to be ex-
cluded from all share in making and
administering the laws by which their
lives, liberties, and property are to be
judged, without the constant presence
and pressure Of a force adequate to CO.
cree obedience. The adoption of this
amendment will involve the necessity
of maintaining an army to enforce it,
which, of itself will be dangerous to
liberty, and add greatly to the burdens
of taxation, already grievous.
lean see no good to result from the
pr0posedamendmentS. see much evil.
We had better adhere to the form of
government which our fathers gave us.
1t is in my Judgment, the most perfect
political production of human wisdom
and patriotism. For three-quarters of
a century it secured us unexampled
prosperity and happiness, and, at the
end ofthat time, enabled us to meet and
vercomethe moststupendous rebellion
in the history of nations. Why change
it? For seventy-tive years we have
hardly known that we had a Govern
ment. When we did know it, we knew
it only by its benefcence. And it has
shown itself as strong, as benefcent-