Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-03-21

olales, without any insiigaiion or prior
knowledge OF the people, and TO be adopt
ed b! Legislatures chosen without any ref
erence 10 the questions we thrust upoa
Them. .4
5. Finally in submitting amendments at
this time, we invite dispute upon the
question of the degree of legislative as sent
necessary 10 their adoption. If ratified by
The Legislatures OF less than three fourths
Of all The Siaes, their validity will be de-
MED, and their enforcement resists6 That
denial must be made, not only BY the un-
represented States, but By all men in the
country who hold the views OF the last and
OF the present executive Administrations
And The fact Of the attempt to force an
amendment upon the country against so
large mass cl opinion will only produce
"bad blood" and increase the difficulties of
our situation. You will not, probably. oct
your amendments assenied 10 by the num.
Der OF States which, in the opinion of the
President and Secretary of Stale, are nec-
essary 10 lheir adoption. And then the
question comes up, is il wise 10 raise this
subject of difference 10 disturb our future
counsels! Besides, il is to be considered
that the very manner, the epirit in which
these amendments are proposed is we'll
calculated 10 dhfeai their cordial acce ptance
by The whole county. The whole pro
ceeding looks like piece of sharp man.
sgement by a congressional majority 10
consolidate their own power, and to force
amendments upon the people OF the couu-
try, or al least upon large part of them,
wihou, full consideration and their free as
sent. .l::sr., =:
But il amendments are to be proposed at
this time, insist lhst The whole subject of
shall be opened, and that we
shall not be confined 10 those which have
already enanated from the committee of
fifleen,or been presented h The two Houses.
There are others much more deserving OK
favor aud adoption, and much more likely
10 receive, intimately, that degree and ex-
tent of favor which should always support
changes. -
The first is a change in senatorial repfe.
sentation 10 remove CT mitigate existing in
equality, which might assume the form
by me in former part of my
present remarks. mean the division Of
The States into three classes, according 10
numbers of population, and assinging a
different representation 10 each class To
NEE! any large increase of population here
after, with consequent inconvenient in
crease in the number Of Senator's, ii will be
well also TO provide that the numbers upon
which :hs classification is based shal be-
-aised hereafter, some rule of proportion
them being still, retained
Ii il should be said that The concluding
clause Of the filth article cf the existing
Constitution stands opposed 10 any i'm prove
nent in the rule OF senatorial representa-.
ion, answer that that clause itself may bs
-esciuded. If it be alleged that such amend
nenl would be revolutionary in character,
,r al least a violation OF The faith pledged
BY the States 10 each other in forming the
Constitution, | answer, il would 90 more
bear such imputalion than would an amend
nent regulating suffrage in the States, or
any other which would concern The inter-
1ai policy OF any State, which may BE i'm
dependent of, or remotely connected with,
hose general objecis for which the Con-
'tlIution was made and suct objection will
'pply with equal iorco 10 The amendment
already adopted for the abolition of slavery
n the States. ln lsct, lae abolition amend
neni, and amendments regulating State
suffrage, or other question of exclusive
State policy, would be much more obuox-
Gus 10 the objection Lhau one regulating
representation in The Senate OF the Uniled
States. For the lalier would relate TO
Federal question wholly beyond separa.s
State action, and capable OF regulation only
in new form, by the amendment power Of
he Constitution.
If, then, amendments OF the Constitution
are now 20 be proposed, this one must be-
considered. and lis consideration will be-
pressed. If The hand Of reform is 10 be laid
upon our fundamental law, il must no, be-
permitted 10 strike inferior points where
change is desired, and omit TO strike This
point of senatorial inequality. That in
equality must be corrected, and il will be
corrected Six States out OF thirty-six, OK
oul Of lbe greater number which we will
have hereafter, cannot successfully resist
10 deprive Them OF an unjust or
uorjinate power in the Government, in
delogaton of The interests and against the
opinions and will of The other States. | say,
hen, that il representation in this Govern
ment is to be changed al all by constitutions
al amendment, the representation of the
East must and will be reduced to an equal
ity with Thai Of other sections OF the Union;
and TO this work the Representatives OF lhe
great States will devote themselves with