The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1867-01-11

remaining in those States which |
were lately in rebellion; evils, which,
without such correction would en-.
danger the National safety, and be |
q lasting source of irritation and
strife. Sd t
= In examining the proposed amend.
ment, its extreme moderation is, un-
der all the circumstance of the coun-
try aud the time most remarkable
1t contains four provisions, of which
three would become irrepealable
and unchangable except by new
amendments of the Constitution: but
the other could be suspended or an
nuled by act Of Congress -.
The three former consists, first of
the grant Of power to the National
Government to protect the citizens
of the whole country in their legal
privileges and lmmunities, should any
State attempt to oppress classes or
individuals, or deprive them Of the
equal protection OF the laws; second,
of the equitble equalization of repre-.
sentation, by 70 rbidding any State or
district to increase the number of its
Representative in Congress by emu.
merating in the electoral basis,
classes OF United States citizens who
are still denied the elective franchise;
and third, of the affirmation of the
inviolability of the faith pledged to
the payment Of the existing public
debt of the United States, coupled
with the denial of power to the Ma
tional or State Governments to as
sumo or pay any debt incurred in aid
of the late rebellion.
| "A simple statement Of these prop
ositions Is their complete justllica
/ lion. The first was proven necces.
sary 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 hurry.
ing on the rebellion, was not tolera.
ted in the Southren States; and the
State laws gave no real protection to
immunities of this kind, which are OF
the very essense of free Government.
The necessity, also, of having
somewhere q reserved right to pro.
tect 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 he
no need of federal legislation on the
subject, and the power will remain in
allegiance; but il they are systemat
ically violated, those who violate
them will be themselves responsible
for all the necessary interference o
the central government.
The second proposition is so just
in itself that the only objection raised
To it is, that it is change of one o
the original so called compromises
OF the constitution. 1t is an all sulli
cieih answer to say that the rebel
lious States long enjoyed a very dis
, proportionate p wcr in the govern
! mentitself, aud that after such rebel
, lion, re admission of the insurgent!
to a true republican equality OF rep
, resentation is the most that the 10y
, al citizens of the country can allow
in Justice to themselves. 1t is Meth
, er denied nor concealed that this is
: diminution of the present politica
, power OF the Southren States whicl
, is u penalty for rebellion, but whei
the penalty consists only in Topping
off that which was an excess of powe
a before, and in applying an equal rul
to them and to ourselves, it may wei
: be doubted whether defeated irsur
gents were ever before treated will
equal magnamimity.
The third proposition, relative t,
n the debt, has; l believe, found NJ
open opposition.
. The third section Of the amend
mcnt Is that which provides for tn
I disqualification for holding office o
| a class regarded as peculiarly respos
t ible for the rebellion. This disqual
D iilcation may be removed by Congress
e sional action, and its continuanc
or discontinuance, would be determ
a ined by the evidence Of real return
!, of honest allegiance to the Nationo
e Government 1t may fairly be sal
j. therefore, to depend upon the South
y rem people themselve, whether
Il shall long continue to operate; ar'
they cannot reasonably complain {
!, the burden of provision whic
Il their own loyalty could remove.
c is as necessary provision for til
c public salty that this is insisted upor
$ and am sure there is no disposi
u ton in the North to continue an
l. disability beyond the period durin
!, which the necessity shall deem rea
Il Such is, in my opinion, tine charaC
o ter OF the amendments proposed
J. which it is my duty to lay befor
! you for your action. Several of th
3, States have already radified it, but
e deeply regret to know that it has bee
q rejected by several of those who's
g ratification would do most to max
q the measure. the promise and begir
l. ing of that settlement of our intern,
dissensions for which we all long.
am not without hope that mature
q consideration and calmer refiectio
% will convince even those who hav
II rejected the proposal that justice
|. right, and wise self Interest alib
n dictate a reconsideration of the ma
n ter and different decision.