The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1867-03-01

Mr.. CHALFANT. Mr.. Speaker, the
first and second sections of the amend
ment to the Constitution of the United
alton and approval or rejection, have
been so thoroughly and ably discussed
by gentlemen on this side of the House
that it would be superfluous in me to
attempt to add anything to what has
already been advanced. l fully concur
with those who have addressed the
House in opposition to the adoption of
the proposed amendments in all they
have said of the evils and dangers which
must result to us as a nation, as well as
the several States of which the nation
is composed, from the adoption of the
first and second sections of the amend
ment. The right of citizenship, which
the first of these proposes to confer on
all the inhabitants of this country, ex-
cept two classes, viz: Indians not taxed
allied, would, of itself, perhaps, be
harmless, were it not for some of the
incidents connected, or that almost nee
essarily result therefrom. 1t is very
evident, from the second section, that
the first is designed only as the basis for
the rearing of the structure of univer-
sal suffrage, which this second section
proposes to confer upon all without re-
spect to color or nationality. The dam
gers which must result from the pro-
posed degradation of the ballot box,
should be apparent to even the least
discriminating; and if they cannot, af-
ter the eXpositions that have been made
see these dangers, should have but lit
tie hope of being able to furnish them
any additional light. l may say tc
them, however, that what they propose
is not an experiment, which can /,
tried, and if not found to work well
abandoned. Rights, privileges and
ernment Oh class hitherto not permit
ted to participate in its administration
will never be surrendered again to the
former "ruling class" The tendency
of the people of all free government
has always been first towards an enlarge
ment of the area of freedom, and eXten
sion of the rights and immunities of tn,
people, a restriction and limitation OF
the powers of the Government unit
freedom became lawlessness and govern
ment an unmeaning theory and th'
result, as any one might have conf
IDENTIFY predicted, has been anarchy, ter
minating in despotism. And greatly
fear, Mr.. Speaker, looking at the action
of the present dominant party, noting
their wild theories of government, thei
utter disregard, as legislators, of al
the checks and balances framed by ou
wise forefathers to maintain prope
equilibrium between the coordinate
branches of the General Government
that we are but following the SAM
downward path to our own destruction
as free and independent nation.
There is, however, one incongruit.
between the first and second sections
which will notice. The first section
after comforting on all inhabitants eX
cept foreigners unnaturalized, the right
of citizenship, prohibits any State iron
making or enforcing any laws whic
shall abridge the privileges or immu
mites of citizens of the United States
The second section declares that If an
State shall deny to any male inhabitant
of such State the right of voting, or i
amy way abridge such right, the repre-
y sentatives of such State shall be reduce
in the same proportion. Now, II tn
right of suffrage Is one of the privilege
and immunities of citizenship, then b
\ the first section, no State can constitu
tionally deny or abridge such righ
The estate right" is barred by thi
amendment; and the second section,
its purpose were merely to confer til
right of voting upon all citizens, woul
be useless. But the object of the secon
section reaches further. 1t provide
that If any State shall deny, or IN an
way abridge the right of any male III
habitants mot male citizens, 1t VIII
observed) to vote for certain state an
national officers, the basis of represents
tion in such State shall be reduced /
the proportion which the number o
such male citizens there you see III
word citizen inserted) shall bear to, I'll
whole number of male inhabitants ovt
twenty-one years of age. Now, | asl
whether under this second section Il
thousands of unnaturalized forcigne
residing in Pennsylvania, male inhab