The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-04-03

KEOKUK. IOWA.
"WEDNESDAY MORNING, APRIL g..
LET SUFFRAGE sEcURn HREHDon.
Asa practical measure for the settlement
of many vexed and Troublesome questions.
which the Rebellion and The abolition of
slavery have brought 70 the surface, the bill
for the extension of the right of suffrage TO
all American citizens commends itself to the
common sense of the country. And If there
were no Constitutional objection in the way,
we incline TO the opinion that large major
ty of the people of the United States would
gladly accept it rs another most important
and necessary movement In the right direc-
ton 10 a final settlement, on the broad foun--
dations Of equal rights and universal Justice
Of the liberties and welfare Of the American
people. And in view Of the present aspect
of affairs, there is no reason for any over
jealous ssraining Of strict construction theo'
ries of the Constitutional powers OF Congress,
against the Liberties and rights Of American
citizens.
Upon principles Of strict construction, the
most beneficial Acts Of Congress, during all
our past history, were unconstitutional
There is no provision in the Constitution, for
instance, authorizing the Government OF the
United States to make acquisitions OF tern
tory, eithersby war or purchase, and yet, be-
cause the welfare of the country seemed to
demand il, the power has been frequently ex-
ercised, and additions of territory, to more
than twice the original area Of the United
States, have been annexed and brought under
the authority and protection of the flag Of the
Union.
So, IN regard to internal Improvements
within the States of the Union. Strict con-
structionists have always opposed them, and
denied their Constitutionslity.
And, on the strict construction theory,
President Buchanan, the chief official Of the
Democratic party, denied the constitutional
power Of the Federal Government "to CO
cree" the rebellious States of the Union to
submit to the Constitution, and render ODE
dence TO the laws of the land. They denied
the right of the Government to make war up
on the Southern Confederscy TO enlist their
slaves in the armies of the Union, or TO free
those slaves by Proclamation as they still
deny the authority Of the Government to re-
construct the Union, and provide, by law,
for the restoration of the rebellious States,
to their relations TO the Government and the
Union,
If the Federal Government is confined 70
the exercise of only such powers as are def
nitely and literally expressed in substantive
provisions of the Constitution, then not only
has the Constitution been violated, in the
most important and beneficial acts Of the
Government, in our past history, but the
preservation of the Union, by crushing out
the rebellion, has been the grossest violation
Of all. But if the view Of the Constitution
practically adopted by Jefferson, in the pur>
chase Of Louisiana, and by other Admiuistra
tions, in other purchases of territory, and
by the Government, under all Adminis,ra
tons, during the entire course Of our history,
then is constitutional government, both
practical thing and q demonstrated success.
That theory is, that Government has, by i'm
phcation, the right to execute and discharge
the powers and functions conceded to it by
the Constitution, aud to pass all needfut and
proper laws to enforce the provisions of the
Constitution.
1t is the duty of the Government TO pre-
serve the Union, and to enforce the laws,
4 :. : ! i
combine to dissolve the Union, and resist
the Government by armed rebellion, the
Government has the right, withou, any ex
press provision of the Constitution, poistins
out the precise mode and manner in all par
ticulars, TO enforce its authority by military
power, and in accordance with the laws Of
war and the laws Of Nations. And as an in
cldent of that power has the right, not only
10 take the lives OF Rebels, but to con6scste
their property, emancipate their slaves, and
whatsoever else the laws of war, and the par
amount civil AUTHORITY inherent in the Federal
Government justihes, as means TO defeat an
armed and hostile foe, and reduce rebels to
subsection and obedience. Upon tina, prin
ciple the war was fought through, and the |
right, as well as power of coercion" was
vindicated.
In the course Of the contest, four millions
of slaves were emsncipated, and at its close |
their REIMBURSEMENT was expressly prohibit |
ed by direct Constitutional provisions, and |
the power is expressly conceded to Congress
TO enforce these provisions by appropriate
legislation.
Under this view of the case, Congress finds
hereditary oligarchy of Shareholders in the
South, who own all the land, and control |
the social, political and financial destiuies of
that region. They find them still determined |
TO subordinate the freedmen TO their authority
by public sentiment, through the power ofhe-
reditary position, and by means Of legislation.
The ignorance, the poverty and the heplessnes
ofthe freedmen, render them powerless 10 re-
sist the influence of the ohgarchy of traitors,
or to maintain their rights As freemen. Iii
the duty of Congress, it ID the right Of the
under these circumstances, to
the rights and liberties Of the American Cit.
zens, recently made free, and clothed with
equal rights by the Constitution of the United
States. And if Congress deem, in the exer-
else of their power and discretion, that the
right Of suffrage will secure all other rights
and liberties to the freedmen; who has the
right TO complain, or the power to reverse,
their act in favor ofhberty and equal rights
in this land Of Freedom
We do not entertain doubt Of the power oil
Congress in the premises, SO far as the Rebel
and Slave States are concerned. And while
we are not so clear in regard to the exercise
of the power in the Free States. we deem
the matter 30 essential to the welfare oil
Aha nnr,nfrr and A. A. 49, L