North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-01-09
VOL. 6 NO. 22,

hohto: thdi OpliIiOu SctmS W Tie 10 nave
been abundantly expressed. Indeed, the
amendments are so moderate and reasona>
bic in their character, that it would have
been astonishing If the people had failed to
approve them. That every person, born
IN the United States, and free, whether by
birth or manumission, is citizen of the
United States, and that no State has a right
to abridge the privileges of citizens of the
United States--these ara principles which
were never seriously doubted anywhere.
until after the insane crusade in favor of
slavery had been for some time in pro-
gre>s. What is called the decision Of the
Supreme Court of the United States. in
the Dred Scott case, has made it expedi-
ent and proper TO re assert these vital prin-
eipIes in an authoritative manner. and ,his
is done in the first clause of the proposed
amendments
The right of prescribing the equalifcs-
tl"nS OF voters IS exercised Nv the respec-
tive States, under the Constitution of 789.
three-fiiths of the slaves were counted in
asceriaImng the representative reputation
OF the several States. The amendment TO
The constitution abolished slavery in all the
States and Territories Though it was
formerly otherwise in most, if not all Of
the Old Southern States, yet for many wears
past tree Negroes have not, in any of these.
been permitted to vote. At present. there.
tVre, the late slave States would be entitled
TO count the whole of their former slave
poPnla'lon, as a basis for representation.
Instead of three-fifths thereof. That ia TO-
say, they would have in the existing ratio
about twe"ty more members of Couore,s
than they bad before slavery was abolish
c'l, AMI the free States would lose the same
number, making difference of about forty
members of Congress, or, say, one sixth Of
the whole body. In other words. the trea-
son of the rebeliious States, the suppres-
SION OF which has cost us many hundreds
OF thousands OF precious lives. and go MANY
thoaSan"s of millions Of treasure, would be
rewarded by giving them vast increase Of
political power. This absurdity, the sec.
ond elanse of the proposed amendments,
designs to prevent, by the just, equal aud
moderate provisions that 10 future, the rop-
resentative population of eac' State shall
be asc' rtained by making a proportionate
ded :ction from the whole population there
OF, If It's laws exclude from the privilege of
vollrg, any male citizens, not criminals of
the age oftwenty one years. / have vet
to learn that any plausible objection can be
offered 10 such a provision.
HE third clause of the proposed amend
ments exciu les from Congress, md from
the College of Electors, and from all Off
ecs. civil aud military of the United States,
or OF any State, persons who, as functions
ries of the United States, or as Executive
or Judicial officers of any Safe. have here
tofore sworn to support the Constitution Of
the United States, and afterwards violated
their oath by engaging in rebellion against
the same. unless Congress, bv q vote of
two-thirds, shall have removed the disa-
bility of any snch persons.
The fourth clause affirms the validity Of
the debt Of the United States, and probib-
It's the assumption or payment OF the reb-
cl debt, or fany claims for the loss or
emancipation of any slave.
The fifth clause provides that Congress
shall have pcwer to enforce the provisions
of the other clause by appropriate legis-
latlun.
That these wi and moderate provis-
ions will meet the hearty appreciation of
the Legislature, | cannot doubt. If pro-
posed by two-third of each House of Con.
gress and ratified by three-fourths of the
Legislatures of the States, the Constitution
provides t!iat they should stand as adopted
amendments of that instrument.
A question has been raised whether the
States lately IN REBELLION, and not vet re-
stored to their privilege. by Congress,
are to be COUNTED on this vote-in other
words, whether those who have rcbelled
and been snbdned shall be entitled to a
potential voice in the question of the guar,
snteesro he required of them for future
obedience TO the laws. So monstrous e.
proposition it is, it appears to me-, not .up-
ported bv the words or spirit of the Con-
s'itu'ion. Tie power to suppress ibsur
rection, includes th" power Of making pro-
visions against It's breaking out afre,h.-
These states have made an unjust war up
on our Common Government and their
sister States. and the power given by the
Constitution to make war on our part. in.
cludes the po~e er to dictate, after our sue.
cess, the terms Of peace and restoration,
The power of Congress to guarantee to
every State a Republican form of Govern.
meut, would cover much more cogent se.
ton thai has vet been had.
The duty imposed upon Congress. tn
provide and maintain republican govern.
mcnts for the states, Is 10 be accepted in
the hroaie>t meaning oftbe term, II ia
nat mrfe forra! or unnecessary proyis
ior. The power was conferrea. and III.
duty edj 'ined, to preserve free institutions
against all encroschmeuf, or the more vi
olent elements Of despo,ism and anarchy.
And now that treason has, By REBELLION,
snbvrrted the governments of q number
of States, forfeitins for tie rights Ruaran-
teed by the Constitution, incnding even