New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-09
NETWORK, SATURDAY, JUNE y, lo66.

refused 10 execute its laws, and abrogaed all tat cav
tbem notica rights within the Union still RETAIN through
all e perfect and entire right 10 resume at their own VIII
and pleasure all their privileges ID the Union ana
TO participate its government and 70 cono 'ne conu
of its affairs To admit such principle Tor one momehl
would he 10 declare that treason always MASTER ana 10y
atty blunder. Such principle Is volu py us WY
nature and esense because use 10 s veSv Existence
On the we that portion OF the people Oh
this country either in State or Territory have the rgh'
while remaining its soil, TO withdraw from OF IJey'
the authority of the United States They must acknowl,
edge it's nrisdicon They have no night 10 secede, ana
while they can destroy their state governments ana pace
themselves beyond the pale OF the Union so lar as he eA
erce of State privileges concerned they cannot escape
the obligations imposed upon them by tne Sohsutuoh
and laws impair the exercise OF Natohal au.hoy,
The Constitution it will be obseryed does not ACT upon
States as SUCH but upon the people While therefore
the people cease exist in organized FORM they thus
dissolve their political relations with the United states
That taxation should be only with the consent OF the
taxed through their representatives, Is cardinal
principle of all free governments butt is not true that
taxation and representation must go together under all
circumstances, and at every movement OF me me peo
pie of the District of Columbia and OF all the Territories
are taxed although not represented IN congress.
the people of the socaed Confederate States had right
10 throw off the authority of the United States 1t Is
equally true that they bound Of al times TO share the
burdens of government. They cannot either legally or
equitaby refuse bear their just proportion OF these
burdens by voluntarily abdcating their rights and pryl-
eges as States OF the Unon, ana refusing 10 pe IeIg
scented in councils Of the Nation much less by rebel
lion against National authority and evying war; 70 hod
that by doing they could escape axaton would be 10
offer permission insuTectionto reward Instead OF
furnishing treason. To hold that, soon as government
is restored full authority, il cen be allowed no time
to itself against similar wrongs IN Tue utnre OF
else omit the ordinary exercise Of its constitutional power
to compel equal contribution for all toward the expenses
of would be unreasonable IN itself aud unjust
10 the Nation II is sufficient TO reply that the loss OF
representation by the people Of the nsureconary states
was their own voluntary choice They might abandon
thei egcs but they could not escape their obligations
And they have no right to complain II, before re-
sunni hose privileges aud while the people Of the
Uucu States deysing for the public safely,
rendered necessary by the act OF those who thus dsan
chscd themselves they compelled 10 contribute their
Just proportion OF the general burden OF taxation incurred
by their wickcdness and folly. Equally absurd is the pre-
tense that the legislative authority of the nation must
be imperative so far they are concerned while they
by their act, have lost the night TO take part IN IT.
Such proposition causes ts own reiataton on us ace
While thus exposing falacics which, as your Committee
believe are the purpose of misleading the
people, nd distactng their attention from the questions
at ISSUE - freely admit that such condition OF things
should, brought if possible, TO speedy termination
II at asabe that the union OF all the States should
become perfect the earliest possible moment consistent
with the peace and welfare Of the nation; that all these
States should become fully represented IN the
National councils and take their share OF tho
legislation of the country. The possession and
exercise Of than its Just share power by sec
ton is disractng and demoralizing in its tendency as
to all Others and such state of affairs IL only to be
tolerated the ground of necessary regard to the pup
lie safety As the safety is secured II should ter
inmate. Your Committee came 10 the consideration OF
the subject referred TO them with the most anxious desire
ascertain what was the condition OF the people oil tue
States recently IN Instruction. and what anything was
necessary De done before restoring them 10 the fall en-
iOyment Of oil their original privileges IL was undeha-
BE that the war into which they had plunged the
try had naturally changed their relations to the loyal
people Of the loyal States. Slavery has been abolished by
Constitutional amendment. large proportion Of the
population had become instead Of mere chaites free men
and citizens. Through all the struggle those
had remained true aud loyal and had IN large
numbers fought on the side OF Union. IL was
impossible to abandon them, without securing them
their nights as men and citizens. The whole civilized
world would have cried on, against such base ngratnde
and the bare idea is offensive 10 all nght-tbhkng mef"
Hence became important inquire what could be done
secure their nights civil and political IL was evident
your Committee that adequate security could only DC
fDIad appropriate provisions Of the Constitution Rep
based the whole number of free persons
IN each State and hrecflhs Of all other persons As
consequence the effect of the Rebellion would
bh 20 increase the political power of the nsurrcctonary
States whenever they should be allowed TO resume their
positions az States Of the Union. As representation is
Nv the Constitution based upon population, your Commit
Tee did not think IL desirable 10 recommend change of
that basis The increase OF representation necessarily re-
suing from the abolition of Slavery was considered
the most important element in the questions arising
out OF the necessity for some fundamental action
IL appears 20 your Committee that the night oil these
had been thus increased and should be
recognized by the General Government while slaves were
not considered as having any rights, civil political. II
did not seem just proper that all the political adyan
aes derived from their becoming free should be confined
their former masters who had fought against the
Union and withheld from themselves, who had always
loyal Slavery, by building up ruling and dominant
class had produced spirt OF ogachy adverse 10 hepuD
lcan institutions, which finally inaugurated civil war;
The tendency Of continuing the domination Of such
class by leaving in the exclusive possession OF political
power would be To encourage the same spirit and lead
to similar result-doubt whether Congress bad
power, under the amended Constitution, TO pre-
scribe tho qualifications of voters IN State, or could
act directly the subject II doubtful in the opinion
your Committee whether the States would consent TO
surrender power they had always exercised and to
which they were attached. As the best, II not the only
method Of surmountlng the difficulty, and eminently
just and proper in ITSELF your COMMITTEES came
TO the conclusion that political power should BIO
possessed in all the States exactly in proportion as the
night Of suffrage should be granted, without distinction
Of color This it thought, would leave tho
whole question with the people OF each State holding out
to all the advantage of increased political power an In
ducement allow all TO participate IN its exercise. Such
provision would be in its nature gentle and persuasive
and would lead, il hoped, at distant day, to an
equal participation Of ALL without distinction In all the
rights and privileges of citizenship thus affordng full
and adequate protection 10 all classes OF citizens since
all would have through the ballobox the power Of self
protection Holding these views, your Committee pre-
pared an amendment TO the Constitution 10 carry out this
idea and submitted the same to Congrcss unfortunately
think it did not receive the necessary constu-
tona Euppo in the Senate and therefore could not DO
proposed for adoption by the States The principle M
voyed that amendment Is known and believed 10 DO
sound, and your Committee have again proposed IL IN
another form, hoping that may receive Tue aPpooon
OF Congress-
Your Committee have been unable to find in the evidence
submitted TO Congress by the President under date OF
March 1866 in compliance with the resolutions OF Janu
ery and February a. 1866 any satisfactory proof that
either of insurrectonary States except perhaps the
State OF Tennessee has placed itself in condition to re-
sumo its political relations TO the Union: the first step
toward that end would necessarily be the establishment OF
a republican form of government by the people. Ii has
been before remarked that the Provisional Governors ap
pointed by the President in the exercise Of his military
authority could do nothing by virtue OF the power thus
conferred toward the establishment of State government
They acting under the War Department, and paid
out 0fits funds They were simply bridging over the chasm
between rebellion and restoration aud yet find them
calling conventions and converting legislatures Not only