South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1871-06-02
The Force Bill in the Light of
Policy.
[ A Letter from Henry B. Stanton to Gerrett
Smith, in the y. Y World, May 81

y Letter from Henry Is. stanton TO Gcrrett
Smith, in the y. Y. World, May 8
The so-called Ku- Klux law recently en-
acted by Congress, purports, according to
its title, TO be can act 10 enforce the pro-
visions of the fourteenth amendment to the
Constitution Of the United States, and for
other purposes" It's pretended objects
are to prevent and punish the Ku-Klux
ouirages which prevail in some portions Of
the Southern States. Those outrages be-
iug palpably violations of the laws and au-
thority Of the States wherein they are com
mltied, | need not say to so thorough q
student of the Constitution as you are that
this law Is not warranted by anything in
that amendment, for the plain reason that
the offences IN question are not included
among those prohibited by the amendment
10 assert, therefore, that this is "appro-
pirate legislation under this amendment
for curbing the Ku Klux marauders, is
false pretcuse which brings this novel pro
vision of the Constitution into disrepute,
arouses needless animosity against it, and
tends to ptccipitate upon the country at an
unfortunate moment the very serious issue
whether scarcely tried article of the Con
siitutOn, which can be made the cover for
such oppressive legislation to promote par
tisan objects, ought not, together with it's
legitimate offspring which confers suffrage
upon the negro, to be stricken from the in
strument.
1t Is on this latter point that l would
address earnest words to the real friends Of
the colored race. Do they forget that these
two amendments can be stricken from the
Constitution by the same means through
which they were ongrafted upon it a
Submission Of the proposition to the State
Legislatures by two-thirds of both Houses
Of Congress, and its ratification by three
fourths of those legislatures finishes the
work. And, according to the precedents
established by the Republicans while get
ting these amendments into the Constitu-
ton, the process Of ratification may be con-
tInued until the requisite number of States
IS obtained and the intermediate withdraw
al OF Its ratification by State is to be dis
regarded. ] warn our colored citizens that
the time will come when these two amend.
ments wil. be blottcd from the Constitu-
ton, unless reckless partisans cease to ex-
pertinent upon them by Wrestling thcrefrom
species Of cxasperating legislation which
they do not authorize. Pseudo friends Of
The negro, who, under the pressure Of an
extreme party necessity, might hardly hes
ltate to f7y the whole African race If they
could cut their cuticle into ballots Of the
approved sort, may for time be able to
govern the South as England rules India
and Ireland, but they cannot permanently
piu these amendments upon the COnstitu
ton with the bayonets Of the regular army
Ii is solely, my dear sir, FOR the purpose
Of presenting this last mentioned phase Of
The subject 90 your consideration that ad-
dress this letter 20 you yea, that | write
II at oil. Throughout the larger part Of
the period during which you have taken
note Of public affairs, tho political party
that would be The most likely under an exas-
perated condition ofpublic opinion 10 strike
down these amendments has held a major
ity Of two-thirds IN both Houses Of Con
gress, and majority in The Legislatures
of threc-f0urth5 Of the States. Wba, has
been 50 often true heretofore may occur a.
gain ere long Such sweeping revolutions
in parties as you have more than once Wit.
messed, would accomplish % in four or FIVE
years. Jet this Unauthorized and irrita-
ing kind OF legislation BE kept Up for par
usau purposes, under TIE false protsBse Of
enforcing these cniment-. and sou and
/ may Use long enough o. learn that thew
are fastened t0 tho Constitution by frail
tciber T-eu will their friends bitterly re-.
gret chat selfish politicians were allowed 10
render their provisions peculiarly rcpulsive
90 large masses Of che people, and 20 pre-
vent them from silently and gradually
working their way into popular favor.
TO seems 10 me that policy ~ c9ncili,.
ton towards Che South, and .be prompt
concession ofaI privileges 90 all persons
is the true way % preserve TIC rights ofal.
classes Of citizens, and De- Che first step 10.
wards restoring order 20 that section Of Tho
country 40 OIL events, speaking In tho
Interests Of ibe co.orcd race, and s5licitous
for Che preservation Of the three recent a.
mendments t0 the Constitution. / trust
that %. in time Of profound peace. one
third Of che Southern States are to be de-.
Ciared DO rebellion and r~l.-
.;o, of The babeas corpus, persons VIZ