North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-02-28
80. TUNKHANNOCK PA, WEDNESDAY, FEB. 49, 1866.

appropriations would, therefore, be requir-
ed TO sustain and euforce military jurisdic.
ton in every county or parish from the
; Potomac to the Rio Grande The condi
tinn of our fiscal affairs is encouraging, but
in order to sustain the present measure oi
public confidence, it is necessary that we
practice not merely customary economy
but As far as possible severe retrenchment.
In addition to the okircti ms already stated
the fifth sec ion Of the bill proposes to take
away laws from its former owners, without
any legal proceedings being first had, con-
trarv to that provision OF the 20, stitution
which declares that no person shall be de-
privei "flite, liberty or property, without
due process of law. 1t does not appear
that part of the lands. to which this sec
tion refers NAV not be owned by minors or
persons of unsound mind, or by those who
have been faithful to all their obligations as
citizens OF the United States. If any por-
tion of the land is held by such persous, it
is not competent for any authority to de-
prive them of it, If on the other hand
it be found that the property is liable to
cDnfScation, even, then it can"Ot be appro-
priated to public purposes until, by due
process Of law. it shall have been declared
forfeited to the Government.
There are still farther OH .ctions to the
bill, on grounds seriously affecting the class
Of persons to whom ii is desi signrd to bring
relief. 1t will tend to keep the mind of
the freedmen in a state of uncertain expec
taion and res,lessness !; while, to those
among whom he lives it will b. a source of
constant and .ague apprehension. Un-
doubtedly the freedmen should be protected
but he should oe protected BY the civil au-
thOriti S, especially by the exercise of all
the constitutional powers oftle Courts of
the United States and of the States. His
condition is not so exposed IA may at first
he imagined He is in portion of the
country where his labor cannot well be
spared. Competition for his services from
planters. from those who arc constituting or
repairing railroads, or from CAPITALISTS in
his virinagn, or from other States. will ena-
bio him TO command almost hi- own terms
He also possesses perfect right % change
his place Of abode; and if. therefore. he
does not find in one community or State a
mode of life suited to his desires or proper
remuneration for his labor, he can move to
another, where labor is more esteemed and
better rewarded. In truth. however, each
State, induced by its own wants and inter-
rsts. will do what is necessary and proper
TO retain within its borders all the labor
| that is needed for the development of its
resources. The laws that regulate supply
and demand. will maintain their force and
the wages IF the laborer viii be regulated
thereby. There is no danger that the
great dem and for labor will not operate in
| favor .ofthe lahorer. Neither is sufficient
consideration given to the ability of the
freedmen to protect and take care Of them.
selves It is no more than justice TO them
to believe that a> they have received their
| freedom with moderation and f,rhearance.
so they will distinguish thr msrlves by
thpi" industry and thrift. and soon show
tie worl I that in condition Of freedmen
'hev are sclfsustaining and carable of So
lrcting their own emplc vmcnt and their
own places of abode. or insisting for them
selves on proper remuneration. and of
establishing and maintaining their own
asvlums and schools. It is earnestly
honad that. instead of wasting awav. thy
will, bv their own efforts. establish for
themselves condition of responsibility
and prosperity. Il is certain that they can
attain TO that conditipn only through their
own merits and exert;ons. In tn rOnnnc-
tihn the query presents itself whnther the
system proposed by the bill will not. when
mt into complete operation, practically
transfer the entire care, support and con-
troll of four millions Of emancipatrd slaves
tn agents. overse@rs or ta<k-maStrrs. who,
/ appointed at Washington. are to he located
in every county and parish thr"u ghout the
Unitrd States containing freedmen and ref.
ucers. Such a system would inevitably
tend to such r concentration of power. in
the Executive, which would enable him, if
81 disposed. to control the action of nu-
mrrous class and use them for the attain
ment of his own political en!s
| | cannot bat adj another vrrv grave OBJ
lection to this bill The Constitution i'm
pera;ively declares in connection with tax
alton that each State shal! have at least
one representative. and fixes the rule for
the number TO watch in future times each
State shall be entitled at also provides
,hst the Senate Of the United States shall
be composed of two Senators from each
State and adds with peculiar force that no
State without its consent shall be deprived
| of its equal suffrage in the Senate. The
original act was necessarily passed in the
absence of the States chiefly to be effected
b,canse their people were then coutuma.
ciouslv engaged in the rebellion. Now the
case is changed, and sone at least of the
States are attending Congress by loyal
representatives soliciting the allowance of
the constitutional right Of representation.
| At the time. however, cf the consideration
an tn. passing Of the bill ther. was no
Senstor or representative in Congress
from the eleven States which are TO be
mainlv affected by its provisions The