Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-02-07
Important From Washington.


Fhe following is the substance of con
versation which took place today between
the President and distinguished Senator:
The President said that he doubted th,
propriety, at this time, of making any fur
ther amendments to the Constitution. One
great amendment had already been made, b,
which slavery had forever been abolished
within the limits of the United States, and
a national guaranty thus given that that in.
stitution should never again exist in the land
Propositions to amend the Constitution
were becoming as numerous as preambles
aud resolutions at town meetings called to
consider the most ordinary questions connec
ted with the administration of local affairs.
All this, in his opinion, had 3 tendency to
diminish the dignity and prestige attached
to the Constitution of the country, and to
lessen the respect and confidence of the peo-
ple;in their great charter of freedom. :. =.
II, however, amendments. are to-be made
to the Constitution, changing the basis of
representation and taxation and he did not
deem them at all pecessary- at the present
time lie knew Of none better than q simple
proposition, embraced in few lines, making
in each State-the number.of qualified voters
the basis Of representation, and the value of
property the basis ofdirect taxation. Such
proposition could be embraeed;in in the, fol-
lowing terms: 1,25 -..-4-..
Representatives shall be appertioned among
the several States which may be included in
this Union, according to the number of quail
flied voters in each State.
Direct tuxes shall be apportioned among
the severaliStates which may be included
within the Union, according to the value of
all taxable property in each State.
An amendment Of this kind would, in his
opinion, place tho basis of representation
and direct taxation upon correct principles
The qualified voters were, for the most part,
men who were subject to draft and enlist.
ment when it was necessary to'repalinyasion,
suppress rebellion, and quell domestic yio-
lence and insurrection.
They risk their lives shed ;heir blood and
peril their all TO uphold the Government, and
give protection, security and valueto proper :.
ty. 1t seemed but just that property should
compensate for the benefits thus 'onferred by
defraying the expenses incident to its pro-
lection and enjoyment.
Sucu du &iIleu0menL CNe 'FTeSlOeDL 6lSO
would remove from Congress all !
issues in reference to. the political equality
of the races. 1t would leave the State to
determine absolutely the qualifications of
their own voters with regard TO color, and
thus the number Of Representatives 10 which.
they would be entitled in Congress would
depend upon the number upon which they
conferred tbe right of suffrage. - -
The President, in this connection, express
ID the opinion that the agitation of the ne.
gro franchise question in the District of Go.
lumbia at tlis time was the mere entering
wedge in. the agitation Of the question
throughout the States, and Was ill:timed,
,ncalled for and calculated to do.great harm.
He believed that It would engender enmi-
y, contention and strife between the two
aces, aud lead to war between them, which
vosld result in great injury to both, and the
ertain extermination ofthe negro popu lation.
Precedence, be thought, should be given /
o more important and urgent matters, Iegis.
alton upon which was essential for the re-
loratioh ofthe Union, the peace of the eoun.
ry and the prosperity Of the people,.