The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1871-04-04

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sSifupIIoAx Pnnss q, os rHk Ku KIux
fBfXL. The sfopxteenth apendmept to
fsho Constithtida; which the Ku sKinx
tbin now bofotYt Che House 5profesSfs To-
| be intended e; d;bn torcsa confSins AEis eect
tions. The first, deSlareds sall PERSONS
born pr natnrhlizeA i1the Uhitedststes
ditiaens thereof, and Of tho States In
which they live; and it prohibits any
State from making, or, enforcing any
law which shall abridge tho privileges hr
immuuijies OF citizens OF tho United
States;" and also prohibits tHs States
from depriying ..:.:any. person OF life,
liberty or property without duo process
OF lnw," md from denying to ''any per-
son within it's jurisdiction the equal pro-
lection Of the laws" Tho second SEQ
tion relates to representation, apd has
boe9 superseded by tho adoption of tho
fifteenth amendment. The third section
exempts certain classes from the general
amnesty. 80 fur as tho right to hold
office is concerned. The fonrth section
roates to the public debt. Tho fifth pro-
vides, in tho usual manner, that Con
gress shall have power to enforce. by:np-
propriate legislation. the provisions of
this article"
Tho New York Ercning Post. leading
Republican journal. objects to tho first
section Of the Ku klnx bill, that it mp.
pears to be needless and supererogntory,
| us 1t is not pretended that any State has
mndo unequal laws; and to the secon,:
section, as We have heretofore urged,
TINT it confers upon the Federal Govern.
ment duties ind powers not contemplut.
ed OF granted by tho Constitution; max
ing it the police Of the States, and aim
ing to make OF tue United States Courts
merely police courts. We pointed ont
flies in the fncc of the principle acted
upon by tho United States Government
from its foundation, that when it sought
to assume ''sole aud exclusive jurisdi,-
ton" in any ''pluce" in State, it first
obtained IL ccsson thereof from the
State. 1t now asks no leave Of the
State to step out Of the narrow bounds
occupied by its custom h ouses aud forts,
and exercise Jurisdiction over the whole
vast area Of the State territories. There
might as we'll be section inserted in the
bill nbolishing tho limitations of tho
Constitution entirely. Tho Post insists
that if tho law were enforced it would
not only degrade the United Suites
Courts, bul break down and overthrow
our whole system of government, and
subject us to centralized administra-
ton, which would shortly end in des-
potism like that OF Napoleon in France.
The Post we'll adds:
"But let not the Republicans III Con-
gress attempt 10 deceive the country
with sham. This section and the two
which follow it are 30 clearly in violation
| OF the Constitution, that the Supreme
Court wonld, when the first case under
them came up on appeal before it, de-
clare them invalid. In the meantime,
any attempt to enforce such bad and
dangerous acts will make al concerned
in it justly odious; and there is no bet.
ter or quicker way to bring the Republi-
can party and tho President into disrc.
puto than by adopting such an uncon-
stltutional and revolutionary Aot as
! this.
But Congress has IA remedy for exist
ing disorders i'll its power-one quite
within the Constitution-thc adoption Of
q general amnesty law. We trust scnsi-
Die and law-respecting members of Con-
grcss OF both parties will unite to pass
ouch nn Act at once"
This is sound advice. and comedies
with that OF the leaiing Republican pcri-
odical, the New York Nation Tho New
York San also has leading article on
| "The Great Question in the South in
which it urges that, with tho restoration
OF tue Union tho rights of the States nre
restored; that the Southern States are
no longer in the position Of criminals
seeking pardon and held on their good
behavior, but equal partners in the fede-
ration. aud entitled to equal rights and
equal consideration with all other States
1t adds:
"Now, without going into any refine
menta over tho question of State rights
aud Federal authority, it will bo found,
IN tho long run, in the future, as III the
past, that the average Intelligent public
sentiment Of State should aud will con
troll the general relations and conduct Of
| its people toward one another; that the
general standard Of law and justice will
DO kept ut that precise level at which tho
civilization and morality Of tho whole
community stand, aud that neither the
law nor the conduct Of tho people Of
any Stntc cnn bo permanently kept ut
| nny hiphar afantlnrl than n ,Du;nr,t,- of