The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-03-14

from all participation in the trial. The
conviction is to be followed by the most
ignominious punishment ever inflicted
on large masses of men. 1t DISTINGUISHES
them by hundreds OF thousands, and
degrades them ail-even those who are
admitted to be guiltless-from the rank
of freemen to the condition OF slaves.
! The purpose and object OF the Dill, the
general intent which pervades 1t from
beginning to end, is to change the entire
structure ard character OF the state
governments, and to compel them by
force to the adoption of organic laws
and regulations which they are un-
willing to accept if left to themselves.
The negroes have not asked for the
privilege of voting; the vast majority
of them have no idea what it means.
This bill not only thrusts it into their
hands, but compels them, as we'll as the
whites, to use it in a particular way. Ii
they do not form constitution with
prescribed articles in it, and atterWard
elect a legislature which will act upon
certain measures in a prescribed way,
neither whites nor blacks can be relieved
from the slavery which the bill imposes
upon them. Without pausing here to
consider the policy or impoficy OF Afr-
canizing the Southern part OF our terri
tory. | would simply ask the attention
ofCongress to that manifest, Well-knoWn,
and universally acknowledged rule Of
! constitutional law which declares that
the Federal Government has no Jurls-
dietion authority, or power to regulate
such subjects for any State. TO force the
right of suffrage out of the hands OF the
white people and into the hands OF the
negroes is all arbitrary violation OF this
principle.
This bill imposes martial law at once,
and its operations will begin as soon as
the General and his men can be put in
place. The dread alternative between
its harsh rule and compliance with the
terms Of this measure is not suspended,
nor are the people afforded any time for
free delberation. The bill says to them,
take martial law first, then deliberate.
| And when they have done all that this
measure requires them to do, other con-
ditions and contingencies, over which
they have no control, yet remain to be
fulfilled before they can be relieved from
martial law. Another Congress must
first approve the constitutions made in
conformity with the will Of this Con-
gress. and must declare these States en-
titled to representation in both Houses.
The whole question thus remains open
and unsettled, and must again occupy
the attention Of Congress, and in the
meantime the agitation which now pre-
walls will continue to disturbal portions
of the people.
This bill also denies the legality Of the
government of ten of the States which
participated in the ratification of the
amendment to the Federal Constitution
abolishing slavery forever within the
/ jurisdiction of the United States, and
practically excluded them from the
Union. If this assumption OF the bill
be correct, their concurrence cannot be
considered as having been legally given,
and the important fact is made TO appear
that the consent Of hree-fourths of the
States-the requisite number-has not
been constitutionally obtained to the
ratification of that amendment, thus
leaving the question of slavery where it
stood before the amendment was official
ly declared to have become a part of the
Constitution.
That the measure proposed by this
bill does violate the Constitution in the
particulars mentioned, and in many
other ways which | forbear to enume-
rate, is too clear to admit of the least
doubt. 1t only remains to consider
whether the injunctions of that instru-
ment ought to be obeyed Or not. think
they ought to be obeyed, for reasons
which | will proceed to give as briefly
as possible.
In the first place, it is the only system
of free government which we can hope
to have as nation. When it ceases to
be the rule of our conduct, we may per-
haps take our choice between complete
anarchy, a consolidated despotism, and
a total dissolution of the Union but
national liberty, regulated by law, will
have passed beyond our reach.
It is the best form of government the
world ever saw. No other is, or can be
SO we'll adapted to the genius, habits or
wants of the American people. Com
bining the strength of great empire,
with unspeakable blessings of local self
government-having central power to
defend the general interests, and recog-
nizing the authority of the States as the
guardians of industrial rights, it is "the
sheet anchor Of our safety abroad and
our peace at home" 1t was ordained
" to form more perfect union, establish
justice, insure domestic tranquility, pro-
mote the general welfare, provide for
the common defence, and secure the