The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1867-02-12
GbR aDfstern gRmnrrat.
From tue Raleigh Sentinel, Feb 5th.
THE PLAN OF ADJUSTMENT.
CHARLOTTE, N. c.


affirmed being concocted in washington,
would doubt be given TO the pubic
We have been furnished with manuscript (
conv of the proposed plan of settlement, by !
Hoo. Lewis Hanes, of Salisbury, who as party |
in the conference, on his own responsibility |
furnishes it for publication thus early, believing
that no scheme involving such important con-
sequences, should be kept from an Interested |
public.
partia. history of this scheme. Gov Orr, offs. |
O.. ExGov Parsons Of Alabama FIX Gov Mar |
viz, of Florida, Hon N. Boyden and hon Lewis |
Hanes of North Carolina, and Judge y. i.
Jones, of Arkansas, being in Washington City |
on other business, after frequent conversations
with members of Congress and Others, both
Democrats and Republicans. conservative aud
radical, felt that the xigeuces Of the country
demanded the earnest Efforts Of every true friend
of the South aud OF the Union. They accord
ingIy determined upon conference, each act
ing upon his own personal responsibility, and
discaiming all right to act in representative
capacity. Several conferences were held, and
the following programme was agreed upon as
the only they could devise promising to ef-
feet the desired end:
Proposed amendment 10 tie Constitution cfAAe United
States
Article Ia Eection ]. The Union under the Con-
stiiuiiun is. and shall be perpetual No State shall
pass any law ordinance 10 seceds Or withdraw
from the Union, and any such law or ordinance
shall be null and void.
Sec. 2. The public debt Of the United States, au-
thurized BY law, shall be held sacred and in
violate. But neither the United States nor any
State shall assume or pay any debt or obligation lh-
Cured in aid of n.urrectOn Or rebellion against
the Government or uihority of the United States
Sec. 3. AL persons born OF naturalized in the
Tilted States and subject 20 he jar SdcIIon there
of
States in which they reside. No State shall make
enforce any law which shall abIidge the prifl-
leges mmunities of ciizens Of the United States;
shall any State deprive any person OF life, lib
erty. properly, without due process OF law, nor
deny any person within lis jurisdiction the tqual
protection OF the laws.
Sec L. Representatives shall be appOrtioned
among the several States according - their respec-
tive numbers. counting the whole number OF per
sons in each State, excluding Indians not taxed
But when any State shall, on account OK race or
color or previous condition Of servude, exclude
from voting at any election for The choice of cleo
tors for President and Vice President OF the United
STATES, representatives in Congress, members Ut The
Legislature or other officers elective by The people
any OF The male inhabitants OF such State. being
twenty-One Years OF age aud cItlZenS OF TIE Cnied
States, then The entire class of persons excluded
from the elective franchise shall not be counted ia
the basis of representation No State shall require
a property qualification for voters more than two
hundred and fifty dollars worth oftaxable property,
nor as adu tationa qualification, more education
than enough to euable The voter to read the ConstI-
tuition of the Unied in the English language
and write legibiy his own name.
Proposed Amendment 10 State Constitution.
Article. Every male citizen who has resided in
this State for year and IN the county in which
be offers six months, Immediately preceding
the day of election, and who can read the Constitu
ton of the United States in the English language
and can write bis name, who may be the owner
of two hundred and fifty dollars worth Of taxable
properly, shall be entitled TO vote at all elections
for Governor OF the State, members of the Legi>la-
and all other officers elective by the people of
the Siaie Provided, That no person by reason of
this article, shall be excluued from voting who has
heretofore exercised tn e elective franchise under
the Constitution and laws of this State, who at
the time of the adoption of this amendment may be
entitled to vote under said Constitution and laws.
They were strongly Impressed with the idea,
that in the unfortunate conflict which had arisen
between President johnson and the ma jority in
Congress, that neither party could be expected
to propose terms OF compromise or recede from
their positions; aud likewise, that the relations
OF the parties North, forbade hope Of compro-
mise; and that, therefore. the position OF the
South, between these conflicting Interests. was
becoming more and more serious aud cpmplica-
ted every day. With these convictions, they
determined to assume the responsibility Of de-
visine plan, which, although drawn up 10 the
spirit of compromise, might, without any
render of honor, be adopted hy Southern Legis-
latures as proposition TO Congress.
This plan, We learn, has been submitted to
members OF Congress, members of the Cabinet
and prominent men from the several Northern
States. Conservative men Of all parties spoke
tavorably "fu aud assured that many Of
the best trieDts IT the South at Wash, gron
urge the propriety of its early approval by the
Legislature and people
We are not prepared to express an opinion
upon SO grave proposition without due con-
sideratIOn, and we have not had time to weigh
it, In all its bearings. 1t is a matter however
OF great magnitude, and should be calmly and
serious y poudered. 1t such a programme were
rendered To us by the North as a fmaHiy,-an
end ct all further collision between the two Sec
tions, Objectionable as the veIbiage aud the
principles involved, in SOME few instances in the
scheme, may be to US, such is anxiety to
end the elamor, and so strong is devotion
TO constitutional Union, We should accept it
Nevertheless, We feel, though the proposition
comes from an unofficial source and accompa-
MED by no such official assurances of favo, in
the North as inspires col fdence of its accep.
lance, the scheme should not be hastily disposed
OF, and especially should not be hastily Goa.
denned With the feelings, purposes aud anx-
leIies % the paisles propussng this scheme We
entirely sYnpathse, because we are sure they
are honest nen and true friends of the South.
- however much We may have differed with them
on some points during the unfortunate contest.
GRoAN FROM THE WEsT-A letter from
Iowa to the n. I. bay Book gives an awful pro,n
over the financial condition of that par, Of the
Northwest A II kinds of produce are very low
The Southern market is irrevncably lost and the
Eastern market, bur dened with enormous fr.;yb,s