The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-01-10

has given express power to suppress insur-
! rection, by war, if necessary. 1t has not
provided, in detail, the terms to be granted
after such war. How could it do so? 1t
would probably not be commended by the
widest partisan that these States had a
right to be represented in Congress at time
when they were carrying on open war against
the government, or that Congress was not
then a lawful body, notwithstanding their
G, clusion. How then have they regained
the right of representation Surely not by
simply la, ing down their arms when they
could no longer hold them. The United
States have the right and it is their duty to
exact such securities for future good conduct
as they may deem sufficient; and the often
ders, from whom they are to be exacted, can
have no right to participate in our councils
in the decision of the question of what their
punishment shall be.
Practically common sense determined the
question of their rights so to participate,
when Congress proceeded in the enactment
of laws. after the surrender of the last Rebel
military force. 1t was determined again,
when the now pending amendments were
proposed by Congress. 1t two-thlrds OF
Congress, as now constituted, could lawfully
propose those amendments, then three-fourths
of the States, not excluded from representa-
ton in Congress, form sufficient majority
to effect their lawful adoption. 1t was de-
termined again by the formal sanction OF
both the great political parties, when Con-
gress, by an almost unanimous vote, declar-
cd the rebellious States without the right OF
representation in the Electoral College in
1864.
We ought to go on resolutely and rapidly
with all measures deemed nece ssary to the
future safety of the country, so that all parts
of it may, at the earliest day, he restored to
just and equal political privileges.
Message of Gov. Cox, of Ohio.
We are indebted to His Excellency Gov.
Cox, of Ohio, for copy of his message to
the 57th General Assembly of that State
1t is well-considered and able document
Gov. Cox alludes as follows to the Howard
amendments
"The Secretary of State of the United
States has, since your adjournment, trans
mitted to me a copy of an amendment to the
Constitution of the United States, proposed
by Congress and now awaiting the ratifca-
ton of the legislatures of the several States.
1t consists of several sections containing
provisions which in the wisdom of the Ma
tional Legislature are necessary to secure per
manent peace throughout the country, and
to correct the most palpable evils remaining
in those States which were lately in rebellion;
evils, which, without such correction wouiC.
endanger the National safety, and be last
ing source of irritation and strife.
In examining the proposed amendment,
its extreme moderation is, under all the cir
cumstances of the country and the time,
most remarkable. 1t contains four provis-
ions, of which three would become irrepeal-
able and unchangable except by new amend
ment of the Constitution; but the other
could be suspended or annulled by act of
Congress.
The three former consist, first, of the grant
of power to the National government to pro-
tect the citizens of the whole country in their
legal privileges and immunities, should any
State attempt to Cypress classes or individu-
ais, or deprive them of the equal protection
of the laws; second, of the equitable equali-
zation of representation by fsrbidding any
State or district to increase the number of
its Representatives in Congress by enumera
ting in the electoral basis, classes of United
States citizens who are still denied the ecc-
tive franchise; and third, of the affirmation
of the inviolability of the faith pledged to
the payment af the existing public debt of
the United States. coupled with the denial
of power to the National or State govern
ments to assume or pay any debt incurred in
aid of the late rebellion.
A simple statement of these propositions
is their complete justification. The first was
proven necessary long before the war, when
it was notorious that any attempt to exer-
else freedom of discussion in regard to the
system which was then hurrying on the re-
bellion, was not tolerated in the Southern
States and the State laws gave no real protec-
ton to immunities of this kind, which are of
the very essence of free government. The
necessity, also of having somewhere a re-
served right to protect the freedom of the
slaves whom the war emancipated is too
palpable for argument. If these rights are
in good faith protected by State laws and
State authorities, there will be no need of
federal legislation on the subject, and the
power will remain in allegiance; but if they
are Systematically violated, those who vio-
late them will be themselves responsible for
all the necessary interference of the central
government.
The second proposition is so just in itself
that the only objection raised to it is, that it
is a change of the original so-called " COM
promises of the constitution" 1t is an all
sufficient answer to say that the rebellious
States long enjoyed very disproportionate
power in the government, which they used
for the destruction of the government ITSELF
and that after such rebellion, a re-admis-
sion of the insurgents to a true republican
equality of representation is the most that the
loyal citizens of the country can allow, in
justice to themselves. 1t is neither denied
nor concealed that this is a diminution of
the present political power of the Southern
States which is penalty for rebellion; but
when the penalty consists only in Topping
off that which was all excess of power be-
fore, and in applying an equal rule to them
and to ourselves, it may well be doubted
whether defeated insurgents were ever before
treated with equal magnanimity.
TIE third proposition, relative to the debt,
has, believe, found no open opposition.
The third section of the amendment is
that which provides for the disqualification
for holding Office of class regarded as pc
culiarly responsible for the rebellion. This
may be removed by Con-
gresssonal action, and its continuance or dis
would be determined by the ev-
idence of real return of honest allegiance
to the National government. 1t may fairly
be said, therefore. to depend upon the South
ern people themselves whether it shall long
continue to operate; and they cannot rea
sonably complain of the burden of pro-
vision which their own loyalty could remove.
It is necessary provision for the public