The Portland daily press., 1868-02-17
DAILY PRESS.
ND.
Monday Morning. February n, 1868.


II Is pretty certain that the election held in
Alabama week before last was no. psrticlpatad
In by majority Of the registered voters. This
being the case, the constitution was not
adopted in accordance with existing laws,
though only a few hundred votes were thrown
against 1T. Theconstitution failing, the men,
oers OF Congress, the State officers and the
Legislature chosen at the same time, will not
% entitled to recognition as legally constitut-
eo authorities, unless by additional legislation.
IN view OF these circumstances, Senator
ohefman of Ohio bas framed an act to admit
Ataoama to representation in Congress, not
"ithstanding several conditions precedent to
ADMISSION imposed by existing laws have not
been fulfilled, In addition to the one already
mentioned. Important among these conditions
Is the ratification of the constitutional amend
ment by virtue of which States placing un-
lust restrictions upon the elective franchise
are 10 suffer a corresponding loss in their re-
presentation in Congress.
MI. Sherman's bill is exciting much discus
sion. There are no doubt valid objections to
IL, but most of those which have been actually
raised are simply absurd. For instance, Thur
low Weed complains that while the Recon-
struction Committee are preparing to impeach
the President for disobeying the reconstruc-
ton act, "the Senate is jumping Alabama
into the Union over and in disregard to that
act" Poor old Thurlow, it is time he sold
out OF the Advertiser, as it is reported he has,
if he ia aanahIo Nr .l-:. NV
reconstruction act is the law of the land by
virtue OF its enactment by the National Legis-
iature, and it can be modified, amended or
repealed by the same power that brought it
INTO existence. Its provisions can be made
1napplicable to certain States, or extended to
Others in like situation with those to which
they already apply. Mr.. Weed can see no
difference between the repeal or modification
oil law by competent authority and its re-
sistance and violation by an Executive upon
whom It is incumbent to carry it into effect.
Another equally absurd objection to Sher-
mans bill takes the form of an outcry against
forcing upon Alabama constitution of which
only third of the people approve The
truth is that the real strength of the party
that may be relied upon to support the new
constitution is measured by the vote in favor
OF holding convention, before the organized
terrorism which attended the last election
bad its full effect. The vote in favor of hold.
ing convention was 90,23S in total regis
tration of 165,S23, while the whole vote of
the State for President In 1860 was seyera
Thousand less ......-
That the constitutional amendment has
not been ratified Is more serious objection,
but the known complexion of the Legislature
elect is such as to insure its prompt and IA
vorable action as soon as it assemblies. The
only thing that should cause any hesitation
about adopting Sherman's bill is the possibil-
ity, that after Alabama is fully restored to the
Union without the conversion to freedom and
equality of greater number of her people,
the Rebel element may succeed by fraud and
violence in overthrowing her liberal govern
ment, as it has done In Maryland. ,r.-