East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1866-02-21

atoms volld therefore, be required
60 sustain aud enforce military juris-
drnon in every county and parish
from the Potomac 20 the Rio Grande.
The condition Of our fiscal affairs 10
encouraging, but in order to sustain
the present measure Of public conf
dence, it is necessary that we practice
not merely customary economy, but
as far as possible severe retrenchment.
In addition to the objections already
stated, the fifth section Of the bill pro-
poses to take away land from its for
mer owners without any legal pro.
ccedings being first had, contrary to
that provision Of the Constitution
which declares that no persons shall
be deprived Of life, liberty or property
without due process Of law. 1t does
not appear that lands 10 which this
section refers may not be owned by
minors or persons of unsound mind,
or by those who may have been un-
faithful 10 all their obligations az cit
liens of the United States. If any
portion Of the land is held by such
persons, il is not competent for any
authority to deprive them of it. If,
on the other hand, it be found that
the property is liable to confiscation,
oven then it cannot be appropriated
TO public purposes until by due pro-
cess Of law it shall have been declared
forfeited to the Government.
There are still further objections to
the bill on grounds sarinuslv q 81 ,ctip n
lie class OF persons to whom 1t is de-
signed to bring relief 1t will tend to
keep the mind of the freedman in a
state Of uncertain expectation and
restlessness, while TO those among
whom he lives it will be a source of
constant and vague apprehension 49,
Undoubtedly the freedmen should be
protected, but they should be protected
10y the civil authorities, especially by
the exercise of all the constitutional
powers Of the courts Of the United
States and of the States. His condi-
ton is not so exposed as may at first
be imagined. He is in a portion OF
the country whore his labor cannot
we'll be spared. Competition for his
services from planters, from those
who are constructing or repairing rail-
roads, or from capitalists in his vicin-
ity or from other States, will enable
him to command almost his own
terms. He also possesses a perfect
right to change his place Of abode,
and if, therefore, he does not find in
one community or State mode of life
suited to his desire, or proper remu-
neration for his labor, he can move to
another where labor is more esteemed
and better rewarded. In truth, how
ever, each State, induced by its own
wants and interests, will do what is
necessary and proper to retain within
its borders al 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 Of the laborer will be reg
ulated thereby. There is no danger
that the great demand for labor will
not operate in favor Of the laborer,
neither is sufficient consideration given
10 the ability of the freedmen to pro-
tect and take care of themselves 1t
IS no more than justice to them to be-
lieve that as they have received their
freedom with moderation and forbear-
ance, so they will distinguish them
selves by their industry; and they
feel and should show the world that
sielfsGAa2hiMg aHifG freedom they are
ing their own employment and their
own places of abode, of insisting for
themselves a condition Of respectable
ty and prosperity. 1t is certain that
they can attain to that condition only
through their own merits and exer-
tions. In this connection the query
presents itself whether the system
proposed by the bill will not, when
put into complete operation, practi-
cally transfer the entire care, support
and control of four millions of eman-
cpated slaves to agents, oversoars or
taskmakers, who, appointed at Wash
ington, are to be located in every
county and parish throughout the
United States containing freedmen
md refugees and such a system
would enevitably tend to such a con-
traction of power in the executive as
would enable him, if SO disposed, to
control the action of numerous class
and use them for the attainment of
his own political ends.
i cannot but add another very
grave objection to this bill The con-
ftitution imperatively declares, in con-
nection with taxation, that each State
shall have Mt least one Representative,
and fixes the rule for the number TO
which, in future times, each State
shall be entitled. 1t also provides
that the Senate Of the United States
shall be composed of two Senators
from each State, and adds with pecu-
liar force that no State, without its
consent, shall be deprived of its equal
suffrage in the Senate. The ori.rinal !
act was necessarily passed in the alb
sence of the States chiefly to be af-
fected, because their people were then
contumaciously engaged IN the rebel
lion. Now the case is changed, and
some at least Of these States are at
tending Congress by loyal Representa-
tives, soliciting the allowance of the
constitutional right of representation
AT tho time, however, of the consid-
Grafton and the passing of the bill,
there was no Senator or representa-
tive in Congress FRONT the eleven
States which are to be mainly affected
by its provisions. The very fact that
reports were and are made against the
good disposition Of the country is an
additional reason why they need and
.ho,11 Lo,.o q Al