Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1868-07-24
Constitutions Amendment.

A repo.: from the State Department
shows that twenIysix states have Gully
/ fled their ratification of the folrteenJl
amendment to the Con ,titution. 1t has also
been ratified by Louisiana, Alabama and
South Carolina. This makes more than to
than to constitute the. Amendment part OF
the constitution. as soon rs the necessary
torn, can be carried out. 1t may be Il at
Coz. reSs will pass a declaratory act to
that effect. We republish this important
portion OF the organic law of the land, ASH
ing ior.it the attention OF the reader:
''J,ia Resolution proposing an Amendmsa
to tie Constitution IF the United STATES:
Rcsotrcl, BY the Senate and House OF
Il representatives OF the United States of
America in Congress Assem- 5led, two-thifd>
of both Houses .oncurrng, that the fol-
lowing articlc3be proposed to the L.gisla-
tn OF the several States as an amend
nlent to the Constitution of the United
States, which. when ratified by three
fourths of said Les islatures, shall be valid
us part of the Constitution, namely:
ARTICLE-SECTIoN |. All persons born
or naturalized in the United States, aud
subject % the jurisdiction thereof. are cit
liens of the United States. and of the
State wherein they reside. No State shall.
make or enforce amy law which shall
abridge the privileges Or immunties of
citizens OF the United States. nor shall any
State deprive any person of life, liberty or
properly. without due process OF law. nor
deny TO any person within its Jurlsdlclioa
til equal protection OF the laws.
SEC. =. Repre- ,entalivcs shall be appor-
:pN amO.lV the S,.yt.rl S.lftS ACCORDING
To their respective numbers. counting the
whole number of persons i'll each State.
excluding Indians not taxed. But when
ever the right to vote ut any election Tor
Electors OF Resident and Wee President,
or for United States Representatives in
Congress, Executive or Judicial Cffic.rS.
or the members of the Legislature thereof,
is denied to any Of the male Inhabitants OF
such State, being tweH.y-one years of age
and citizens of the United States. or in
my way abrid ged, except for participation
i'll rebellion or other crime. the basis OF
representation therein shall be reduced to
the proportion which the number OF such
male citizens shall bear ID The whole iun-
Der OF IN lie citizens twen,y-one yeas vi
age i'll such State.
SEC. ). No person shall be Senator or
Repres NATIVE in Congress. or elector of
President or Vice Pre- ident. or hold any
office. civil or milit ny. under the United
States. or under any State. who. havin
previously taken an oath rs a member of
Congress, or AS Il member OF any State
Legislature, or as an executive. or ju'lirai
officer OF any State. shall have engaged III
Instruction or rebellion against the sane.
or given aid or comfort 10 the enemies
bat Congress may. by Il two thirds
vote OF each House, remove such disable
lty.
SEC. 4. The validity of til, public debl
of the United States. authorized by law.
debts incurred for tho payment
of pensions and counties iof services i'll
the Instruction or rebellion
shall hot be questioned; but neither the
United States nor amy STATE Shall! assume
or pay any debt or obligation incurred i'll
aid Of i surrect:on or rebellion against the
United States. or any claim for the loss or
emancipation of any slave; but ali >uch
debts. bligatious and claims shall be held
Illegal and void.
SEC. 5. Tie Congress shall have power
To enforce by appropriate legislation the
provisions Of this article. :"