Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-01-29
vIRws OF THE PRESIDENT.

We nave received the IOllOWlng from the
Agent Of the Associated Press in this city:
The following is the substance Of a con versa
ton which took place yesterday between the
President and a distinguished Senator:
"The President said that he doubted the pro-
priety at this time of making any further
amendment to the Constitution. One great
amendment had already been made by which
slavery had forever been abolished within the
limits of the United States, and national
guarantee thus given that that institution
should never again exist in the land. Propo-
sitiops to amend the Constitution were becom-
ing numerous as preambles and resolutions
at town meetings called TO consider the most
ordinary questions connected with the admin
istratiOn OF local affairs. All this, in his opIn-
ion. had tendency to diminish the dignity and
prestige attached to the Constitution of the
country, and to lesson the respect and conf.
dence of the people In their great charter OF
freedom. If however, amendments are to
be made TO the Constitution, changing the basis
OF representation and taxation, (and he did not
deem them at all necessary at the present time,)
be knew OF none better than the simple propo-
sition, mbraced in few lines, making IN each
State the number OF qualified voters the basis
of representation, and the value of property
the basis of direct taxation. Such a PROPOSE
ton could be embraced in the following terms:
Representatives shall be apportioned among
the several States which may be included with
in this Union, according to the number of quail
Ited voters In each State.
"Direct taxes shall be apportioned among the
several States which may be included within
this Union, according TO the value of all taxa
BILE property in each State.
can amendment OF his kind would, in his
opinion, place the basis Of representation and
direct taxation upon correct principles.
s'rhe qualified voters were, for the most part
men who were subject TO draft and enlIstm emit
when IT was necessary to repel invasion. sup
press rebellion, and quell domestic violence
and instruction. They risk their lives, shed
their blood, and peril their all TO uphold the
Government, and give protection, security
and value toproperty. 1t seems but Just that
property should compensate for the benefi IS
thus conferred by defraying the expenses Incl
dent TO its protection and enjoyment.
"Such an amendment, the President also sug-
gested. would remove from Congress all issues
IN reference TO the political equality of the
races. II would leave the States to determine
absol utely the qualifications of their own yo-
tiers with regard to color: and thus the number
OF Representatives to which they would be en-
titled in Congress would depend upon the
number upon which they conferred the right
of suffrage
1.-THE President, in this connection, expressed
the opinion that the agitation of the negro fran
chise question in the District OF Columbia a.
this time, was the mere entering wedge to the
agitation of the question throughout the States
and was ill-umed, uncalled for, and calculated
TO do great harm. He believed that il would
engender enmitv, contention, and strife be-
tween the two races, and lead to a war be-
tween them, which would result in great in
jury to both, and the certain determination of
the negro population. Precedence, he thought
should be given to more important and urgent
matters, legislation upon which was essential
for the restoration of the Union, the peace OF
the country, and the prosperity of the people