Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-09-04

their respective numbers, counting the whole
number of persons in each State, excluding
Indians not taxed; but whenever the right
to vote at any election for electors of Presi-
dent or Vice President, and for the United
States Representatives in Congress, executive
and Judicial officers, or the members of the
Legislatures thereof, is denied to any male
inhabitant of such State, being 81 years of
age, and citizens of the United States, or in
any way. abridged, except for participation
in rebellion, or other crime, the basis OF re-
presentation therein shall be reduced in the
proportion which the number of male citi-
zens shall bear to the whole number of male
citizens 81 years of age, in such State.
SEC. 3.-No person shall be Senator or
Representative in Congress, or elector of
President or Vice President, or hold any
office, civil or military, under the United
States, or under any State, who, having pre-
viously taken an oath as q member of Con.
gress, or as an officer of the United States,
or as member of any State Legislature, or
as an executive or civil officer OF any State,
to support the Constitution of the United
States, and shall have engaged in insurrec-
tion or rebellion against the same, or given
aid or comfort to the enemies thereof; but
Congress may, by vote of two.thirds in
each House, remove such disability.
SEC. 4.-The validity of the public debt of
the United States, authorized by law, includ-
ing that incurred in payment of bounties
and pensions for services in suppressing in
surrection or rebellion, shall not be question
ed; and neither the United States, nor any
State, shall assume or pay any debt or obli-
cation incurred in aid of insurrection or re-
bellion against the United States, or any
claim for loss or emancipation of any slave;
but all such debts, obligations and claims,
shall be held illegal and void.
The Iapielatrra of Tannaoeaa he ,,;.,,. ,o.s
fed this amendment, ,herrepresentatives elect
were forthwith admitted to seats in either
House, they taking the required oath that
they have never voluntarily aided the rebel
lion. And every other ex-Rebel State may
come in on the same terms.
What means, then, this concerted clamor
that Congress denies the right of representa-
tion and refuses to admit loyal men to seaisS
What can it mean but fraud and deceptions
Mr.. johnson exacted terms of every State
lately in revolt before relieving it of military
rule and allowing it 10 be governed by men
of Its own choice. Congress does exactly
that same. The conditions differ, but the
principle involved is identical. The Presi-
dent applies one test of loyalty, Congress
another; and surely the right of Congress to
exact conditions is at least equal to that Of
the President. The Copperheads, who never
admitted the right to exact conditions at all,
are consistent in repudiating them now; but
they who sustained the President in his re-
quirements, are precluded from objecting to
those of the legislative power. Having re-
solved to betray and desert the Republican
Union party, they must devise pretexts for
so doing; but these nowise excuse their
treachery, and will not deceive the people,