Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-02-12
a Plan of Reconstruction.

It seems that the rumors which have been
in circulation in regard to newly proposed
plan for restoration have some solid basis.-
The Philadelphia Ledger has special tcIc-
gram from Washington, which gives the fol-
lowing accounted this new echene:
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4, 1867.
During the past two weeks, a large number
of prominent Southern men. who may be ta--
ken as representative men of the Southern
States, have been here, and have had daily
consultations with the President npoh this
important subject. Among these gentlemen
may be named Gov: Sharkey, Of Mississippi.
Gov. Orr, Of South Carolina. Gov. Parsons,
of Alabama, Gov. Marvin, of Florida, and
Gov. Worth, OF North Carolina
The aim of the deliberations of these gen
tlemcn has been to agree upon some measure
as basis of reconstruction, which will be
adopted by the Southern people, meet the
views of the President, aud at the same time
receive the approval OF the majority in Con-
gress. The result has been the preparation
of the following amendment o.thc Constitu-
ton of the United States, and also an amend
ment to the Constitutions OF the several
States. The gentlemen named will at once
bring the subject before the Legislatures Of
the Southern States, for their action and it
will also be submitted to Congress. The
President of the United States fully approves
the proposition.
Whereas, 1t has been announced by rer-
sons high in authority, that propositions from
the Southern Sta:eS having in Wow the adj
Justment Of our present political troubles
would be received and consiGere;, sc;
Nesol0ed, by the Legislature OF the State
OF --, hat the Congress of the United
States be requested to propose to the Legis.
latures of the several States the following
amendment to the Constitution of the United
States:
Article 4, section l. No State under the
Constitution has right of its own will to re-
nouncc its place in or to Withdraw from the
Union; nor has the Federal Government any
right to eject State from the Union, or to dc
Prive 1t OF Its equal outrage in the Senate or
of representation in the House of Representa-
tves. The Union under the Constitution
shall be perpetual
Section ,. The public debt of the United
States authorized by law shall ever be held
sacred and inViolate; but neither Tie United
States nor any State shall assume or pay any
debt or obligation incurred in aid OF insurrec>
ton or rebellion against the Government or
authority of the United States.
Section 3. Ali persons born or naturalized
IN the United States and subject to the iuris
dlctlOn thereof, are citizens Of the United
States and Of the States in which they reside;
and the citizens Of each State shall be entitled
to all the privileges and immunuies of citizens
in the severa! States. No State shall deprjve
any person of life, liberty or property with
out due process Of law, nor deny to aAy per-
son within its jurisdiction TIE equal pro:ec
ton OF the laws.
Section 4. Representatives shall be arpor-
pTNNgNT -
their respective number, counting the whole
number of persons in each State, excluding
Indians not taxed. But when any State shall
on account OF race or color, or previous con-
dltlcn Of servitude, deny the exercise of the
franchise at any election for the choice OF cleo
tors Tor President and Vice President of the
United States, Representatives in Congress-
members OF the Legislature and other officers
elected by the people, to any Of the male in
haDltants OF such State being tWenty-One wears
OF age and citizens Of the United States. then
the entire class of persons so excluded from
the exercise ofthe elective franchise shall not
be counted in the basis Of representation; and
whereas, &c, Be it further resolved by the
Legislature Of, that the following article
Shall be adopted as an amendment to, and be-
come part OF the Constitution of the State
Of
AIIcie-ENery male CITIZEN who has resi-
dsd III this State for one year and in the
county IN which he Offers to vote six months
Immediately preceding the GAY Of election.
and who can read the Declaration of Indepen-
dencc and the Constitution of the United
States in the English language and write his
name; or who may be the owner of two hun
dred aud fifty dollars worth Of taxable proper
ty, shall be entitled to vote at all elections
for Governor Of the State, members of the
Legislature and all other officers. the election
OF whom may be By the people Of the State ::
Provided, That no person by reason Of this
article shall be excluded from voting who has
heretofore exercised tkc elective franchise
under the constitution or laws Of this State.
or who at the time of the adoption Of this
amendment may 6-cnt:ted to vote under said