Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1867-01-25


aud dictated 40 conditions. But since
then the tenlIer vt her people seems 10
have undsfgone a gsdieal change. They
have passed from submission TO defiance,
aud the merry which was extended 10
them has bssn requitcd in bloody pcrsecu.
tions upon the Uuion mea and negro pop.
uIssion In their midst. Their course has
had its natural and inevitable effect upon
the public mind % the North, which is
rapidly passing FROM mercy aud forgive
ness TO the stern demands Of justice and
The exaetion Of the penalties for treason.
The logic Of events against which the ar
gumcnfs Of the statesman weigh not, molds
the public MUD aud sweeps it on rapidly
from conclusion TO conclusion. The i'm
possible Of yesterday is The possible Of to
day, and the radicalism Of TO- day becomes
The conservation Of to morrow.
The patriotic and loyal members Of
Congress who voted for tho Winter Da-
Wis" bin in 1861, would stand aghast be.
fore il as scheme of recons,ruetion in
1866. 1t was then thought the wiscst
thing to be done, but We can nov zee, in
the light Of two years experience, how ia
tai il would have been to the nation. 1t
was manifest from tho beginning that no
iehems Of reconstruction could be or ought
TO be accepted by the people of the North,
which did not involve the equalizing Of
representation in Congress and the elec.
tora) college. The people Of the North
could not consent, honorably TO them
selves, nor without disregard Of the prin-
eiples Of republican government, that those
lately in rebellion should return to their
places in the Governments, and retain. in
lerpctuity, the right to represent four mil
lions Of colored people whom they deprive
of all political rights, which would giv>,
them after 1870 at least thirty votes in the
Electoral College and in the House Of
Representatives. Should the Southern
States be permitted to return without the
recti6eation Of this great wrong, il would
constitute a source OF constantly increas-
ing dissatisfaction in the North, would be
regarded ~ an intolerable burden, and
would dangerously threaten the future
peace pe>the country.
/ have received from the Secretary of
State of the United States an official copy
vi joint resolution passed by Congress
At the late session, two thirds of each house
eoncurring, proposing to the States an
amendment to the Constitution Of tie
United States, which herewith submit
for your consideration.
The FIRST clause of the Amendment es-
tablishes the great fact that all persons
born in the United States are. subject TO
tho Jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the
United States and of the State wherein
they reside, and that no State shall abridge
the privileges or imnunities of citizens of
the United States, or deprive any person
Ct life, liberty or property without due
process Of law, or deny to any person with
ia its jurisdiction the equal protection Of
the laws.
The second clause establishes equality
OF representation in the lower house Of
Congress, and in the electoral college, by
excluding from the basis of representation
any race or class Of people who are depriv-
ed Of the right OF suffrage. aud thus takes
awny from all the States the right 10 have
representation for the colorcd people in
their midst, unless they first gi-e TO them
the right of suffrage. IL proeeds upon
the principle that white people do not
have their political rights enlarged by
reason Of having in their midst n colored
population whom they deprive Of all po.
litieal rights; upon the principle that rco-
pie who are not good enough TO have rep.
sesentatiob for themselves, are not good
enough to give IL to others; upon the
principle that people who are not quail.
fed to vote themselves are not qualified
TO duplicate the voting powers OF others.
The third clause declares ineligible 10
any National or State Office. any person
who, having once taken an official oath 10
support the Constitution Of the United
States, siterward committed perjury by
going into the rebellion. This will tend
To make treason odious BY excluding from
oihce the perjured politicians and poliu.
cal paupcrs who brought on the war.
The fourth clause declares the validity
cf the public debt; forever forbidu the as
sumption or payment Of the rebel debt,
and prohibits the payment Of any claim
for the loss or emancipation of slaves.
The four clauses constitute one amend.
ment, which was submitted to the people
OF Indiana for their approval or rejection
Ut the late election.
IL establishes the great principle Of ma.
ticnal unity and citizenship, equality Of
representation, disability for treason, the
good faith OF tho nation TO her creditors,
aud guards the nation in future times
against the corrupiions Of tho rebel debt.
Ii is Of in,stinablc value 10 the country,
and cannot DO safely substituted by mere
legislation which Is liable 10 repeal or des-
'ruction at the hands Of the Supreme
Court.
The cardinal principles Of rccousiruc,
lion should be planted IN the Constitution,
whence they eau be uprooicd only by the
rame process by which they were cs'ab-
lished. No public measure was ever more
fully discussed before the PEOPLE, better
understood by them, or received more
distinct aud intelligent approval. will
enter into no argument Ia its behalf be.
fore the General Assembly. Every mem
Der VI II understands il. aud is prepared
doubt not, to give bic vote for or against
un the question Of ratification. VENTURE,
however, 10 recommend that you give to il
Jour speedy consideration, aud hope that
ils ratification will soou be published TO
The world ~ n declaration Of the spirit
and purpose Of the people of Indiana.
bu, What ii the Southern people reject
the amendment? But what IL they con.
iinuc this reign Of terror, this Hnprant dis.
irgaid of liberty aud life? DO they i'm.