Columbia democrat and star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1867, 1866-07-11

On the 22d ult. the President sent to the
Senate and House of Representatives the
following message, announcing that the Con-
stitutional Amendment was transmitted by
the Secretary of State to the TH1RTY-srx
States of the Union. At the same time he
desires it to be understood, that in this min
isterial duty he does not commit himself to
the approval of the proposed amendment to
the Constitution =
To the Senate and House of Represent
atires. ''''''
/ submit to Congress report of the Sec
retary of State to whom was referred the
concurrent resolution of the 18th inst, res
pecting submission of the Legislatures of
the States of an additional article to. the
Constitution of the United States. twill be
seen from this report the Secretary OF State
had, on the 10th inst, transmitted to the
governors of the several States certlfled cop
les of the Joint resolution passed on the 9th
inst. proposing an amendment to the Con-
stitution. Even in ordinary times any ques-
ton of amending the Constitution must be
Justly regarded as of paramount Importance.
This importance is at the present time en-
hanced by the fact that the joint resolution
was not submitted by the two Houses for the
approval ofthe President and that of the
thfrty-six States which Constitute the Union.
Eleven are excluded from representation in
either House of Congress, although with the
single exception of Texas, they have been
entirely restored to all their functions as
States in conformity with the organic law of
the land, and have appeared at the Nation
al Capital by Senators and Representatives
who have applied for and have been refused
admission to the vacant seats. Nor have
the sovereign people Of the nation been aft
orded an opportunity of expressing their
views upon the important question which
the amendment involves. Grave doubts
therefore may naturally and justly arise as
to whether the action of Congress is In har-
mony with the sentiments ofthe people, and
whether State Legislatures elected without
reference to such an issue should be called
upon by Congress to decide respecting the
ratification of the proposed amendment.
Waving the question as to the constitution
al validity of the proceedings of Congress
upon the joint resolution proposing the
amendment, or as to the merits of the arti-
Gle which it submits through the Executive
Department to the Legislatures of the States
| deem it proper to state that the steps ta-
ken by the Secretary of State, as detailed in
the accompanying report, are to be consider
ed as purely ministerial, and in no sense
committing the Executive to an
approval or recommendation ofthe amend
ment to the State Legislatures or the peo-
pie.
On the contrary, proper application of
the letter and spirit of the Constitution, as
well as of the interests of national order,
harmony and union, and due Difference
for an enlightened public judgement, may at
this time well suggest doubt whether any
to the Constitution ought to be
proposed by Congress and passed upon the
Legislatures of the several States for final
decision until after the admission of such 10y
al Senators and Representatives of the now
States as have been or as may
hereafter be chosen in conformity. with the
Constitution and laws of the United States
ANDREW JOHNSON.