The Wyandot pioneer. (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1853-1868, 1867-01-10

Gov. COx'S Message.

his NONusAiNIiO AAieAiiA'y bNNQUSo W 4
State affairs and is rather reticent on
political matters. We notice that the
Press of both parties is almost unani-
nous in it's praise. We give below
the Governors arguments in favor of
the Constitutional Amendment, which
has already been adopted in the Senate.
5"nis is about all that the Governor has
to say politically:
THE secretary of the United States
has, since your adjournment, tsansmit-
ted to me a copy, of an amendment to |
/ the Constitution OF the United States |
! proposed by Congress, and now await |
ing the ratification of the Legislatures
of the several States. 1t. consists of
several sections containing provisions
which in the wisdom of the National
Legislature are necessary to secure per
manent peace throughout the country,
and to correct the most palpable evils
remaining in those States which were
lately in rebellion; evils, which, with
out such correction would endanger
the National safety and be a lasting
source of irritation and strife.
In examining the proposed amend
lment, its extreme moderation is, under
all the circumstances Of the country
and the time, most remarkable. Itcon
tains four provisions, Of which three
would become irrepealable and un-
changabie except by new amendment
Of the Constitution, but the other could
be suspended or annulled by act Of Con
grcss.
The three former consist, gG-st, Of the
grant of power to the National Coy
elnment to protect the, citizens Of the
whole country in their legal privileges
8 and minutes, should any State attempt
to Cypress classes or.individuals, or de-
: prive them of equal, protection Of the
laws; Second, of the equitable ,equali
zation of representation, by torbldding
T any State or district to increase the
t number of its Representatives in Con
: gress by numerating in the ELECTORAL
basis, classes Of United States citizens
who are still denied the elective fran
| chise and third, of the affirmation OF
the inyiolability of the faith pledged to
4 the payment OF the existing public debt
: Of the United States, coupled with the
denial Of power to the National or State
D Governments to assume or pay any
e debt incurred in aid Of the late rebel
G lion.
c, A simple statement Of these pfopo
u sitions is their complete Justification
u The first was proven necessary long
/ Ebefore the war, when it was notorious
: that any attempt to exercise freedom Q
e discussion in regard to the system Whicl
4 was then hurrying on the rebellion, wa:
e not tolerated in the Southern States
u and the State laws -gayeno real protec
!. ton to immunities Of this kind, 'wllici
u are oi the. very essence of free govern
" ment. The necessity, ALSO. having
= somewhere q reserved right to protec
the freedom of the slaves whom tn
war emancipated is too palpable for Al
II gument. : II these rights are in goo
a faith protected by State laws and Stat
III authorities, there wiflSsb I'D need Q
II federal legislation on the, subject, an
II the power will remainin obeyance; bu
to ifthey are Systematically violated, ,thos
d, who violate them viii ethe1nselves re
lie sponsible ror all the necessary interfel
VI ence of the central govclnment-
a The second proposition is SO just. i
n itself that the only objection raised t
Id it is, that it is change of one Of th
so original so called compromises ofth
IN constitution. It is in all sufficient al
e. swer tossay that the rebellious State
Ill long enjoyed very .dispIoportionat
us power in the government, which the
at used for the destruction of the govern
n ment ITSELF and that after such rebe
to lion, reatlmission Of the insurgents
", to true republican equality Of repr
,st sentation is the most that the loyal CT
ar izens of the country can allow, in ju
or tice to themselves. 1t is neither den
ps ed nor concealed that this is I dimn'
rs milton Of the present political power
% the Southern SAFES which is a penal
he for rebellion but hen the penalty co
'ut sists in looping off that which was
sse excess Of power before, and in appl..
ch ing an equal rule to them and to on
an selves, it may well be doubtedwheth
di-.. defeated insurgents were ever befo
ith treated with equal magnanimity,
to The third proposition, relative,
es the debt, has, l believe, found no op
to opposition.
OF The third section Of the amendme
IN is that which provides for the disqua
an fication for holding office Of a class !
; a oarded as peculiarly responsible f
me the rebellion. This disqualificati
GU may be removed by Congressional ;
lse' ton, and it's continuance or discont
nus uance would be determined by the e
ian dence of a real return of honest allie
Gus ance to the National Government.
hat may fairly be said, therefore, to depe
by upon the Southern people themselN
eds whether it shall long continue to op
uce ate, and they cannot reasonably compl'
re Of the burden of a provision which tn
ent' loyalty couldiremove. 1t is neces
ure ry provision for the public safety tt
this is insisted upon, and l am 81
there is no disposition in the North
Z. continue any disability beyond the ?
de iod during which the necessity st
the seem'real.
and Such is, in my opinion, the charac
the amendments proposed, which
per is my duty to lay before you for "
action. Several of the States have
ready ratified it, but deeply regret
Ihe know that it has been rejected by seH
lven al of those whose ratification would
full most to make the measure the prom
ion and beginning of that full settlemen
- our internal dissensions for which
oili9 all IonU. T am not without hope t