The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-02-06
THE PRESIDENT ON THE PRO
POSED AMENDMENTS TO THE
HONSTTTTTTTON

The Northern papers state that "dstin-
:guished Senator" had a conversation with Presi-
dent johnson in regard to the propositions of
the radicals in Congress to amend the Consti-
tuition of the United States. The President is
represented as expressing the following views !:
"The President said that be doubted the pro-
priety at this time of making further amend
ments to the Constitution. One great amend
ment had already been made, by which slavery
had forever been abolished within the limits OF
the United States, and national guarantee
thus given that the institution should never ex-
ist in the land. Propositions to amend the
Constitution were becoming as numerous as
preambles and resolutions at town meetings
called to consider the most ordinary questions
connected with the administration of local af
fairs. All this, in his opinion, had tendency
to diminish the dignity and prestige attached to
the Constitution of the country, and to lessen
the respect and confidence of the people in their
great charter of freedom. If, however, amend
ments are to be made to the Constitution chang
ing the basis of representation aud taxation,
(and be did not deem them at all necessary at
ahe present time he knew of none better than
q simple proposition, embraced in few lines,
making in each State the number of qualified
of property the basis of direct taxation. Such
q proposition could be embraced In the follow
ing terms:
Representatives shall be apportioned among
the several States which may be included with
in this Union according to the number of quail
i6ed 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 taxable
property 10 each State"
An amendment like this would, in his opinion,
splace the basis of representation and direct tax
alton upon correct principles. The qualified
voters we're, for the most part, men who were
subject to draft and enlistment when it was
necessary 20 Iepel invasion, suppress rebellion,
and quell domestic violence and instruction.
They risk their lives, shed their blood, and peril
their all &c uphold the Government, and give
protection, security and value to property. 1t
seemed but just that property should ccmpen-
safe for the benefits thus conferred by defraying
the expenses incident to its protection and en-
.joyment.
'sSuch an amendment, the President suggest
Led, would remove FROM Congress all issues in
reference to the political equality of the races
1t would Leave the States to determine absolute
ly the qualifications of their own voters with re-
gard to color; and thus the number of rcpresen-
tatives to which they would be entitled in Con-
gress would depend upon the number upon
whom they conferred the right of suffrage.
"The President, in this connection, expressed
the opinion that the agitation of the negro, fran
'chise question in the District of Columbia at
this time was the mere entering wedge to the
agitation of the question throughout the States,
and was i'll timed, uncalled for and calculated to
do great har1,. He believed that it would en-
gender enmity, contention and strife between
the two races, and lead to war between them,
which would result in great injury to both and
the certain determination of the negro popula-
ton. Precedence, he thought, should be given
to more important and urgent matters, legisla-
ton upon which was essential for the restoration
of the Union, the peace Of the country and the
prosperity of the people"