The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1867-01-10


ate aud reasonable in their character,
that it would have been astonishing if
the people had failed to approved them.
That every person, born in the United
States, and free, whether by birth or
manumission, is a citizen of the United
States-these are principles which were
never seriously doubted anywhere, until
after the insane crusade in favor of sla-
very had been for some tire in progress.
What is called the decision Of the Su-
preme Court of the United States, in the
bred Scott case, has made it expedient
and proper to re.assert these vital prin-
ciples in an authoritative manner, and
this is done in the first clause of the pro-
posed amendments.
The right of prescribing the qualifca-
tions of voters is exercised by the res.
pective States, under the Constitution of
1889; three 6tths OF the slaves were
counted in ascertaining the representa-
tive population Of the several States
The amendment to the constitution abol-
ished slavery in all the States and Ter
ritories. Though it was formerly other
wise in most, if not all, of the old So1th.
ern States,yet for many years past free
Negroes have not, in any Of these, been
permitted to vote. At present, there.
fore the late slave States would be enti-
tied to count the whole of their former
slave population, as basis for represen-
tation, instead of three'ffths thereof.
That is to say, they would have in the
existing ratio about twenty more mem.
bers Of Congress than they had before
slavery was abolished, and the free
States would lose the same number, ma
king difference of about forty mem
bers Of Congress, or, say, one'sixth Of
TIE whole body. In other words, the
treason of the rebellious states, the sup
preston Of which has cost us many hun
dreds Of thousands Of precious lives,
and SO many thousands Of millions of
treasure, would be rewarded by giving
them vast increase of political power
This absurdity, the second clause of the
proposed amendments, designs to pre-
vent, by the just, equal and moderate
provisions, that in future, the represen
tative population of each state shall be
ascertained by making a proportiouate
deduction from the whole population
thereof, if its laws exclude from the
privilege of voting, any male citizens,
not criminals, Of the age Of twenty.one
years. [ have yet to learn that any
plausible objection can be offered to such
a provision.
The third clause 0; the proposed
amendment excludes from Congress, and
from he College Of Electors, and from
all offices, civil and military Of the Uni
ted States, or as Executive or Judicial
officers of any state, have heretofore
sworn to support the Constitution of the
United States, and afterwards violated
their oath by engaging ia rebellion
against the same, unle7s Congress, by
vote of two,thirds, snail have removed
the disability ot any such persons.
The fourth clause afirms the validity
Of the de6t of the United States, aud
prohibits the assumption of payment of
the rebel debt, or Of any claims for the
loss or emancipation Of any slave.
The fifth clause provides that Con.
gress shall have power to enforce the
provisions OF the other clauses by ap.
propriate legislation.
That these wise and moderate provis-
ions will meet the hearty appreciation Of
the Legislature, | cannot doubt. Ifpro-
POSED by two thirds of each House of
Congress and ratified by three lourths
of the Legislatures of the states, the
Con sritution provides that they should
stand as adopted amendments of that in
strument.
\ question has been raised whether
the states lately in rebellion, and not yet
restored to their privileges by Congress,
are to be counted on this vote-in other
words. whether those who have rebelled
and been subdued shall he entitled to a
potential voice in the question of the
guarantees to be required Of them for
future obedience to the laws. So mon.
strous proposition is 1t. it appears to
me, not supported by the words or spirit |
of the Constitution. The power to sup.
press insurrection, includes the power of |
making provision against its breaking
out afresh. These states have made an
unjust war upon our Common Govern
nent and their sister States, and the
power given by the Constitution to make
war on our part, includes the power to
lictate, after our success, the terms Of
peace and restoration.
The power Of Congress to guarantee
o every State a Republican form of Gov.
,rnment, would cover much more cogent
lction that has yet been had.
The duty imposes upon Congress, to
provide and maintain republican gov
,rnments for the States, is to be accepts
ID in the brOadest meaning of the term.
It is not a mere formal or unnecessary
The power was conferred,
i IL. i