Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1867-01-24

stitution In the Union. Why this Tepet-
ti0n? Hitherto each citizen looked to the
courts Of his own State for protection in
this regard. THIS Is to create in the Fed
erhl Government a guardian Of the States,
to'see that they do not violate their own
Constitutions. Does not this provision also
vastly change our judicial system? Sup
pose a citizen OF Ohio should feel aggrieved1
by the decision of State Court and should
appeal to the Supreme or District Courts OF
the United States, upon the ground that he
had been deprived unlawfully of liberty or
property, or was about to be unlawfully
deprived of life, would not the United
States Courts be compelled to assume juris-
diction?, Would not this remove the ad-
ministratlon of Justice stih further from
the people? Would poor man stand an
equal chance with the richp Would not
the result be all almost total destruction OF
the poor mans hopes for justice, because
he would have neither the MEANS or the
disposition to expend more money to OBJ
tain his rights, than worth to him when he
did obtain. 1t would inaugurate system
of expensive justice, giving to wealth an
undue advantage of poverty. h'a -.
i These, in my Judgment, are serious and
valid objections to this section, such as
should have insUred its defeat before sent
tothe State Legislatures for ratification.
"SECTIoN 2. Representatives shall be APP
portioned among the several States accord
ing to their respective numbers counting
the whole number of persons in each State,
excluding Indians not taxed. But when
the right to vote at any election, for the
choice Of electors for President and Vice
President of the United States, Represent
tatives in Congress, the Executive and ju-
dirial officers Of State, or the members of
the Legislature thereof Is denied to any Of
the male inhabitants Of such State, being
twenty-one years of age and citizens of
the United States, or in any way abridged,
except for participation in rebellion or
other crime, the basis of representation
therein shall be reduced in the proportion"
The first clause of this section is the only
one in the whole amendment that Is right
and the only one should vote for. The
remainder is a temporary expedient that
was made to suit the interests Of a section
of our country only. 1t is not even clothed
with the dignity of doing any section any
good, but is rather intended to injure an
other section Of our country. The change
lis mot heededto make the North more pow
erful, but rather to weaken, to humiliate,
to degrade the South. This, too, in the ma
[ ture of n penalty! Who ever heard of
a,nendtnga Constitution, by enacting there.
/ to- Il penal statute !I. H '. al b..
Thisprovision of the amendment origi-
mated in selfshness, in a lust for continued
iiparty poyer Not one particle of states
manship, or patriotism, or love of country
in it. 1t is intended to bind the conscience
of men, in order that 4 minority may hold
! in subsection the majority, beyond their
ability of obtaining their rights, except by
| revolution. 1t is the forerpnner of another
| civil war. Constitutional amendments
| should be beyond the power of change for
partisan purposes. NOpartisan advantage
should have pOwerto to change its provisions.
Constitutions should be so made as to make
| parties feel restraint. They are most valu-
able when they do restrain. That is what
| they are made for; but this is to enlarge
| party privileges, or to diminish the power
of opponents. A newspaper of your own
| political persuasion attacks the amends
nents because of this objection to it; be-
cause of its temporary expediency. 'o
Mr.. NIXQN-Will the gentleman state
what paper? '' "-'
Mr.. BLOOM-The Cincinnati Gazette. It
now lies on your tables; read for your
! selves what it says upon this point. 1t tells
1 you that it will not solve the difficulties
under which tile country now labors, and
will not prevent the union of the Democ-
| racy Of both sections. 1t declares the true
principle to be that of representation upon
| the basis of population. l,., .i.l'' '.'
"SECTION 3. No person shall be Sena-
| tor or Representative in Congress, or elect
or of President and Vice President, or hold
! any Office, civil or military, under the
United States, or under any State, who,
having previously taken an oath as a menu
Der OF Congress, or as an officer of the
| United States, or as member of any State
| Legislature, or us an executive or judicial
! officer of any State, to support the Consti-
| tuition of the United States shall have en-
| gagged in insurrection or rebellion against
| the same, or given aid or comfort. to the
enemies thereof. But Congress may, by a
vote of two-thirds of each House, remove
| such disability" -ui n ,. .. ..r.
This section seeks to disqualify the per-
sons from holding Office in the Federal Gov
| eminent who having previously taken an
| oRth to support the Constitution of the
United States, had subsequently, served un-
! der Confederate authority, or who shall
| have engaged in insurrection or rebellion
against the Government of the United
! States. Had this section been so framed as to
| have disqualified those only who voItntdrtl,,
| performed such service, it might have fur
! nished a plausible argumenti0r its adoption,
bus as IL now stands where is the Judge
the jury, or the man of common sense, who
would find a man guilty and punish him
for a. crime, the commission of which
l was ,invOluRtdryi1 upon his part This
4 provision is founded upon injustice,
| and in cOntravenAon of the plainest princ-
| ples of common sense. 1t Is contrary to
| the administration of justice all over the
| Civilized world; it cannot meet with the
approbationof any man who desires to do
right, to do justice. "But Congress may
| remove this disability Congress shall
possess the pardoning power. What is this
but bribe to every public scoundrel and
| demagogue in the South, to. become the
| tool ofa party who will in consideration or
| pd,ty services elevate him above his fellow
! rebels. We have numerous Southern "loy-
alistsn of this stampnow. win this further
the work of restoration? Will this result in
the establishment OF peace and good order.
in the South? Willthis promote an honest.
discharge of official dutiesP viii this
bring honest men into power? u | for one
believe quite the contrary result will be
obtained, and, therefore oppose it. 'eifhlq q
Who will be found in the South to dis
charge the responsible duties devolyinS
upon Federal officials? The old meli, too
old for service to the Confederacy would
be too old to discharge civil duties If there
we're such. Nearly the entire population
Of mature age were either voluntarily, or
otherwise, .Gngaged in the rebellion. The
greater number Ofthose fit to operf0rm the
duties of even a Supervisor nitist have at
one time, taken an oath to support the
Constitution" None will therefofe be left
but ignorant whites or the more ignorant
9egroes, to discharge these responsible
duties, ii, ~ ale % 37a5A p2Ss ~,
I This will only make enemies 6f those