Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-03
ONE OF THE NEW RECONsTRUCTING
AMENDMEyTS

AMENDMENTS.
We adverted on yesterday to the amend
ments to the Constitution offered by the So
called Reconstruction Committee to the
consideration Of Congress and the country,
as a basis for the readmission to the Union
Of the lately seeding States. Our remarks
were general, and in opposition to the
scheme rs as a whole as being uniounded in
principle, and unworthy the approval of the
people. The plan is the production Of a
partisan and sectional subcommittee of the
Congress now in session, large majority of
whom have, during the past FIVE months,
given no evidence of the liberal and en-
Gghtened craftsmanship which should char
acterize body whose duties are so grave
and responsible. Instead Of heartily coop
Grating with the President in the prompt
reimbursement of the disjointed relations of
States to the General Government, they bent
their whole energies to the sundering of the
parts which his skill and sagacity had Co
aptated. Instead of meeting the States
Of the South and people in the spirit
in which the Union was formed, they
were supercilious and censorious, and,
assuming the port of victors, set them
selves to the task of debating terms
and prescribing conditions. In this they
ignored the CONSTITUTIONAL common ar
bitter of differences, the common standard Of
law, and the common bond Of union be-
tween the States. 1t is now proposed to
amend that instrument. before they can per-
NIT reunion, and this is a virtual condemna-
ton of the Constitution. 1t is tantamount to
saying thatit was insufficient for the purpose
for which it was ordained. This instrument,
though, was the only authority given under
Heaven or among men by which they ex-
ercised the power which forced the recusant
States to return to the Union. 1t is all that
ever made the Union, and all that can pre-
serve it. If amended in such manner as
to violate any one of the vital principles iii
which it was conceived and framed, the adj
ditiom will be elements of weakness and
not Of strength and this is the view we have
of the four propositions presented by the
committee of Fifteen.
Not one of them is free from valid objec-
tions both on the score of principle and ex-
pediency, and we shall so discuss them,
though our purpose to-day is only to call
attention to section third which is in these
words:
Until the 4th day of July. 1870, all persons who
voluntarily adhered to the late instruction, Civ
ing il aid and comfort, shall be excluded from the
right to vote for members of Congress, and for
electors for President and Vice President OF the
United States.
The object of this is so manifestly and so
Intentionally partisan that it cannot escape
notice. Under its operation, should it be-
come part of the organic law, the mass of
the voters in twelve or fifteen States are ex-
cluded from participation in the selection of
the two Congresses which are to assemble
after the expiration Of the present. and a
voice in the choosing Of the next President
of the Republic. 1t is a scheme to prolong
the power and perfect the control of the
now held by the Radi-
cal Republican party. There is not a
man on that committee who, in his heart,
doubts the devotion and allegiance of the
people to the Government. There
is not one VINO does not know that it would
be perfectly safe to entrust the integrity of
the Government to the vote these people
might give. There is not one who is not
aware, that in proposing or advocating this
section of the plan, he is doing violence tothe
leading and essential principle on which the
Government is founded. 1t is nothing more
than daring political manguvre which is
expected to be made successful by pains and
penalties threatened in case it is objected to.
1t is 4 deliberate plot of prohigate politi
clans to bind and fetter the people, in order
that they and their retainers may monopo- !
lie the offices of the Government 1t is a |
corrupt attempt to degrade the Constitution
% base party purposes vile PROCLAMATION |
IF the liberties enshrined in that great |
hart. The proposal even is sufficient to
;tir in their sepulchres the sacred ashes of
he men who made it. When the people of
his nation become so politically depraved
Is to contamnate the tablet of their funda-
mental law with such provision, the ex-
pertinent of free government is ended. 1t
will be demonstrated that men are incapa-
Die Of framing and perpetuating, under the
ormulas of government guarantees for
heir Liberties, and ours will be added to the
ist of dead Republics; while the people
will be at once the mockery of those who
AVE ridiculed republication as an imprac
and the sport of the factions which,
rom time TO time, may reign over them.