Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-02-05
;. NEW PLAN OF ADJUSTMENT

M authors rejected communications returned
"A NEW PLAN OF ADJUSTMENT.
we give below copy of plan Of settlement,
iu the shape of amendments to the Federal
and State Constitutions, which we understand
i: proposed by. certain gentlemen from the
South who have but recently visited Washing.
ton. This scheme has been shown, We hear,
.toyarious members OF the Legislature of Vir-
ginia, and the intention is to presenr it to the
Legislature of North Carolina tor formal
adoption. The patrons of the measure have
indicated sollcitude to keep It out OF the
newspapers and thus prevent, for while, at
least, any public discussion of its merits. We
have received this document, however, with
full liberty Of publication, from one who him
self received it in like manner; and we do not
feel justified in Withholding it from our readers.
The people of the South. atlarge, are proposed
10 be affected by its provisions in their gravest
and most important interests; and it is their
clear and unquestionable right to be Informed
of the nature and character of measures devised
hy those who, whether with or without ade
ouate authority, have undertaken the Office of
pointing out basis of settlement. Any at
temptto veil such measures from the public
scrutiny until sufficient numbers of persons in
the legislative bodies can be committed to
secure their adoption, is alike opposed to the
genius of our institutions, and to the just rights
of our people The following is the scheme:
Richmond Enquirer.
PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION
OF TIE UNITED STATES
article l4-Section /. The Union under
the Constitution is, and shall be, perpetual.
No State shall pass any law Or ordinances to
secede or withdraw from the Union, and any
such law or ordinances shall be null and void
Section g. The public debt of the United
States, authorized by law, shall ever be held
sacred and inviolate. But neither the United
States nor any State shall assume or pay any
debt or obligation Incurred in aid Of insurrec-
ZION or rebellion against the Government or
authority Of the United States.
Section 3. All persons born or naturalized In
the United States, and subject to the jurisdic-
ton thereof, are citizens of the United States
and Of the States In which they reside. No
State shall makeior enforce any law which shall
ab!idge the privileges or immunities of citizens
of the United States; nur shall any State de-
prlve any person of life, liberty, or property,
without due process Of law, nor deny to any
person within its jurisdiction the equal pro-
lection of the laws
Section f. Representatives shall be appor-
toned among the several States according to
their respective numbers, counting the whole
number of persons in each State, excluding
Indians not taxed But when any State shall,
on account Of race Or c5lor or previous condi-
ton OF serVitude, exclude from voting at any
election tor the choice OF electors for President
and Vice President OF the United States, rep
resentatlves In Congress, members of the Legis-
lature or other officers elective by the people,
any of the male inhabitants of such State, being
twenty-one years of age and citizens Of the
United States then the entire class of persons
so excluded from the elective franchise, shall
not be counted 10 the basis of representation.
No State shall require as a property qualldca-
ton for voters more than two huadred and
fifty dollars worthof taxable property, nor as
an educational qualification more education
than enough to enable the voter to read the
Constitution of the United States in the Eng
lish language and write his own name
PROPOSED AMENDMENT, TO STATE CONSTITU
TIoN.
d1tlcle. Every male citizen who has resided
in this State for one year and in the county In
which he offers to vote six months, Immediately
preceding the day of election, and who can read
the Constitution of the United States in the
English language and can write his own name,
or who may be the owner of two hundred and
fifty dollars worth of taxable property, shall be
entitled to vote at all elections for Governor Of
the State, members of the Legislature and all
other officers elective by the people of the
State: Provided, That no person by reason of
this article. shall be excluded from voting who
has heretofore exercised the elective franchise
under the Constitution and laws Of this State,
or who, at the time of the adoption Of this
amendment may be entitled to vote under said
Constitution and laws.
GROUND Hoe WEATHER WIsDoM.--Ths
American Arctomys or marmot, known in this
vicinity as the ground hog aod in New Eng.
land as the wood chuck" is hibernating an-
imal, and passes the winter costly in its burrow.
It has long been believed by the negroes of
Virginia and by many whites, that on the I'd
of February, Candlemas. the ground hog always
makesits appearance at the mouth Of its hole
to take Q survey of the weather. Ii the sky
is overcast it does not return to its winter quar-
ters, but makes arrangements for spending the
Spring and Summer above ground. If, on the
contrary, the sun shines, and the day is clear
and cold, it at once returns to its nest and COM
poses itself to sleep for six weeks more.-Star
ROBERT L. WOOD, ...=..,,