The south-western. [volume] (Shreveport, La.) 1852-1870, 1867-05-22

same constitution, il another provision, recent,
adopted declares that no State shall make or enforce
any law which shall abridge the privileges immnni
ties Of citizens Of the United States and whereas
Also Congress is empowered by appropriate legislation
to enforce the several provisions, which cannot be
done without securing the elective franchise to citizens
who have been slaves or who the descendants OF
slaves who deprived of equal rights by reason
Of race or COLOR and whereas further it is expressly
declared in the constitution that the United States
shall guarantee every State in the Union repub
form Of government and it is plain that any inc
quality of rights is inconsistent with republican form
of government and the Declaration of Independence
Now, therefore,
"Be 1t enactedby the Senate and House of Represea,-
tatires Of the United States Of america IN Congress-
assembled That every citizen OF the United States al
though he may have been slave oris the descendant
OF slave, or by of color is deprived of
equal rights shall, in every State and Territory have
the right to vote all elections for members of Con-
gress for Presidential electors, for Representatives
and Senators to State or Territorial Legislatures for
all State, county, city, town. and other Offices of every
klnd, upon the same terms and conditions, and no
others, as white citizens are and may be allowed to
vote and every provision of every State and Terri
torial constitution, STATUTE and ordinance which is
or hereafter may be enacted, and every custom and
principle of law heretofore recognised in any State
Territory, contrary to the foregoing provisions,
hereby declared null and void"
Now, whether the above be constitutional amend
ment or act of Congress- or both it is just,
expedien and indspuable. 1t is equal i'll It's opera
ton North as we'll as South 1t provides one and the
same beneficent law for the whole land Shall it be
adopteds If could speak with hundred tongues,
Trey should all cry Amen. 4 negro person has less
lair his side IN Connecticut than ~ Mississippi
Congress- reassembling in July ought to provide for
his immediate relief. There was an cutlery against
giving the negro his civil rights, but when the deed
was done, the whole land acquiesced. There is SIM
liar outcry against giving him his political rights but
given, there will be general appreciation of the
gift. If negroes who have been brought up in slave
ry allowed to vote in the South why shall not
groes who have been brought up in freedom be allowed
to vote in the North?
Not only is Mr.. Sumner right as to the power Of
Congress in the present case but long ago he right
as to the power of Congress to govern the recon
structed States is conquered provinces. He then
stood almost alone in the Senate in opinion which
he has since adopted by his brother Senator's
We trust his compeers will agree to his present BILL
We happen to know that Thaddeus Stevens-who |
even when sick, is well than most mems pre-
pairing, on his sick bed, an argument in support of
Mr. Summers bill. We happen to know, ALSO that |
Chief Justice Chase agrees with Mr. Summers view. |
Let the midsummer Congress adopt the bill Fourth
of July measure.