Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-04-15
Thursday Morning, April Is, 1863.
Eg We present below the bill which

Ey We present below the bill which
has passed both houses of Congress, and
will, without doubt, become law. A
mere glance shows that it is the object of
the radical party, while yielding to the
opportunities of some of their af1iliates in
regard sosubmitting the Objectionable feat
ures Of the constitution separately, to
throw the whole matter into the hands of
Gen. Grant, who will act in such manner
as will be conducive to the welfare of the
Republicans The Senate, fearing that
their pet scheme Of negro suffrage might
Be defeated has added an amendment,
providing, that before the States of Vir-
ginia, Texas and Mississippi shall be ad-
mitted to representation in Congress they
shall ratify the Fifteenth Amendment to
the Constitution. In other words. we
must act, and vote for such measures as
the Republican party thinks necessary for
its own preservation. The bill itself sub
hitting to the capricious will of one indi-
vidual the power of determining what por-
tons of the Constitutions are so obnoxious
as 20 demand a separate vote, would be
considered strong evidence of the tyrani
cal tendencies Of the present government,
withou5 the disgraceful amendment tackled
on BY the Senate. The sixth section,
which provides that the commanding gen.
eral may suspend laws in the States named
which he may deem unjust and Cypress
i've was stricken ont, and the section in
reference to the Fifteenth Amendment was
made the sixth section. Another amend
ment was added, providing that the pro-
ceedings in these States shall not be deem
ed complete or final until approved by
Congress. So that whatever submission
we may be required of the States, have no
assurance that It viii result in reconstruc-
ton. We must assure the radical party
that our State shall be placed irretrievably
in their hands, and then we may expect
to be received into the bosom of our
dearly beloved Union, with no marks of
displeasure resting upon our brow, as
punishment for our conduct durin 6 the
late little unpleasantness."
"a Bill authorizing the submission of the con-
situations of Virginia, Mississippi and Tex
as to vote of the people, aud authorizing
the election of State officers, provided by
the said constitution, and members Of Con-
gress.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House
of Representatives. of the United States
Of america an Congress assembled, That
the President of the United States, at
such time as he may deem best for the
public interest, may submit the constitu-
ton which was framed by the Convention
which met in Richmond, Va, on Tues
day the Sd day of December, 1867, to
the registered voters of said State for rat
ffcation or rejection, and may also sub
nit to separate vote such provisions of
said constitution as he may deem best.
SECTION 2. And be 1t further enacted,
That at the same election the voters of
said State may vote for and elect members
of the General Assembly of said State,
all the officers of said State provided for
by the said constitution, and for members
of Congress and the officer commanding
the district of Virginia shall cause the
lists of registered voters of said State to
be revised and corrected prior to such
election, and for that purpose may appoint
such registrars as he may deem necessa-
ry; and said election shall be held and the
returns thereof made in the manner pro-
vided by the election ordnance adopted by
the Convention which framed said consti-
tuition.
SECTION 3. And be 1t further enacted,
That the President of the United States
may in like manner submit the constitu-
ton of Texas to the voters of said State
at such time and in such manner as he
may direct either the entire constitution
or seperate provisions of the same, to a
direct vote; and at the same election the
voters may vote for and elect the members
of the Legislature and all the State Off
GERS provided for in said constitution and
members of Congress: procided, also,
that no election shall be held in the said
State of Texas for any purpose until the
President so directs.
SECTION 4. And be 1t further enacted,
That the President of the United States
may in like manner re-submit the consti-
tuition Of Mississippi to the voters of said
State at such time and in such manner as
he may direct, either the entire constitu-
ton or separate provisions of the same to
a separate vote and at the same election
the voters may vote for and elect mem
bers of the Legislature and all the State
officers provided for in said constitution
and members of Congress.
SECTION s. and be 1t further enacted.
That if either of the said constitutions
shall be ratified at such election, the Leg
islaturc of the State so ratifying, elected
as provided for in this bill, shall assem-
BILE at the capital of said State respective
ly on the fourth Tuesday after the official
PRONUNCIATION of such ratification by the
military officer commanding in the State
SECTION g. And be 1t further enacted,
That in either of said States, the COM
handing General, subject to the approval
of the President of the United States,
may suspend, until the action of the Leg
isiatures elected under their constitutions
respectively, all laws that he may deem un-
just and oppressive to the people. Fl.