The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-05-14

committee, III the maJority OF the peo.
pie approve OF and ssuotion the acts OF
the representatives., that binds the
matter"
The Congressional right and CORES.
ponding duty of Intervention in the
affairs OF q State. 30 far as to see that
the guarantee clause of the Constitu-
tion OF republican form of govern
ment shall not be mere mockery, aud
in order to prevent usnrpation of
rulers and to protect tho people Of
State against lis government; or, more
strictly, against the ambition or usurp-
alton of its rulsrs-langers sorcseen
and pointel ont by II ,mii.un and Cal
hoar-ars cogent!y presented The
Case is also shown to be ono which
will emineutly justify tho cx.r.ora;-
nary powers Of Congress Tac con.
clnaiug paragraphs upon The necessity
of - thorough Investigation iuto the
condition Of tho State, and OF inst
consideration Of the alleged grievances
OF its people, clnuot fail 70 max. u
strong impression upoa u. candid
minds:
The undersigned hero most respect.
fully suggest that if tAu mcmoraii,,s
have alleged case Of reasonable doubt
only, of tue duty and power OF the
United States to make the invsstira.
tion asked, then it seems to us clearly
the duty Of Congress to inquire fur
ther. Tho case IS one, certainly, 10 he
further Investigated. The cunCii.ion
OF South Carolina is crteainly most
deplorable. We have been accustomed
to sympathizs with aal comIniserAta
the uowntrodden people OF Poland ard
ireland; bnt they are no worse OF han
The white people Of South Carolina.
But i! the power oi Congress 10 iu-
tervene, rem=dially, on behalf oi the
aggrieve,l and wrongcd citiz 4ns os tl.ut
State be still denied or doubted, under
the guarantee clause, and under any Of
the ordinary powers Of legislation.
then, we insist. tho com olittee may bu
raised aud The Investigations made
under the extraordinary powers of
Congress to legislate. We refer to the
constitutional power Of Congress to
initiate amendments to the Constitu-
tion itself. Article V provides that
the Constitution, whenever two thirds
of both Houses shall deem it necassa-
ry, shall propose amendments to the
Constitution. or, on the application Of
tho Legislatures of twothlrds Of the
several States, shall call for u conven-
ton proposing amendments, which, in
either case. shall be valid, to all iEtents
and purposes, as part of this Cousti-
tuition, when ratified by the Legisla-
lures Of three.fourths thereof, as the
ono or the other mode of ratification
may be proposed by Congress.
This provision vests in Congress spe-
ciul power of q sovereign character,
over aud above its general legislation,
which it may exercise of it's own voil-
ton, independent Of the executive and
any other department of the govern
mont. Congress possesses no more
exalted and important power thau that
OF instituting amendments to the Con-
stitution. 1t does this by its own sove-
reign will, untrnmmeleh and nure-
strained by any other department or
officer of the government. Il deter
mines the necessity and propricty of
the amendment to be proposed, aud
tho time aud manner in which it shall
be done. The proposal is within its
discretion. In taking tho first step.
Congress acts as u legislative body, aud
does 1t by means Of the ordinary forms
and machinery Of legislation. 1t may
be moved in the ordinary way, and re-
ferred to its commit.ees for consdera-
ton and report. The power to propose
amendments implies the duty to do so
III tho propose case. Congress is in
'luty bound to know the condition and
situation OF the country, and when and
what nmendments ought to DO pro-
posed. A great wrong and grievance
like those compiaiucd of in the memo.
rial under consideration, threatening
to rob 100000 people of their pro-
perty, brought to the attention of Con-
gress, cannot be passed over without
consideration.
Having the power TO propose an
amendment, necessarily implies the
means aud the duty OF informing Itself
OF tho evil, its extent, nature, and the
remedy required. Having jurisdiction
over the auhjcc! matter, investigation
may be made to enable Congress to
determine whether the amendment is
necessary, aud what kind, aud 10 what
extent it shall go. II the power to
Investigate implies the power to act
ieSiSlutIvcly, much moro does the