Essex County herald. [volume] (Guildhall, Vt.) 1873-1964, 1911-03-17

Congress aud been ratified by the state
legislatures. Ii is not easy to amend
the Constitution. Ii was purposely
made difficult. The three amendments
adopted since the Civil War we're Sc
c'ired in a very questionable manner.
The method could never be repeated.
Those amendments we're passed under
a stress of circumstances essential to
secure the results of the war.
The Thirteenth, forever abolishing
slavery or involuntary servitude, except |
as punishment for crime whereof the
party had been duly convicted, was
adopted by the process of increasing the
number of states for it in order to offset
those against it. The creation Of the
state of Nevada in MIR. Lincoln's presi-
aency Was an arbitrary act for the pur-
pose of establishing that amendment.
Nevada at the time did not have
enough population to make state. 1t
was simply assumed to have. President
Lincoln believed that "history would
pardon a little wrong to secure a great
right. The little wrong was the max
ing of Nevada into a state. The great
right was the prohibition of slavery.
After the death of Lincoln, Congress
passed the fourteenth aud fifteenth
amendments. The fourteenth was prim-
arily meant for purpose which has since
been expanded by construction or inter
probation.
Two sorts of "persons', human beings,
natural persons, aud corporations, arti-
fetal persons, have come to be recog-
nized under that amendment. 1t has
been so constructed and so accepted.
1t has been the means of securing the
legal equality of legally created corpora
tions protecting them against injustice.
The fifteenth amendment states that
''the right of citizens to vote shall not
be denied or abridged by the United
States or any state on account of race,
color, or previous condition of servi-
tude", and gives Congress "power to en-
force this by appropriate legislation.
The difficulty of securing these three
70 tar ..,;n ha
that of adding another to them to elect
, senators by the direct vote of the
, people, instead of by the legislatures
There is another way provided in Arti
Gle V of the Constitution by which THU
can be done. "Cougress on the applica
ton of the legislatures of two-thirds O.
the states, shall call convention TO
proposing amendments, which shall b,
valid as part of the Constitution, whei
q ratified by the legislatures of three
/ tourths of the several states, or by con
v ventions in three-fourths thereof: pro
. vided that no state, without its consen
shall be deprived of its equal suffrage il
r the Senate"
d There are now As states, and wit
ts New Mexico and Arizona there will b
d As. Thrty-two states can request Con
% gress to call a national constitutions
it convention for the purpose. Twenty
s eight states have already made thi
# request. The additional five can easil
"a be procured.
4, Before many years it is likely ns
N tional constitutional convention will b
n. called especially to secure the choice G
er senators by direct vote of the people i
h. the states, instead of by the Legislatures
The desire for it is growing stronge
ye every year.
ne Congress has no option in the Gas
nt and could not refuse such a reques
to when made by an adequate number c
ne states. The Supreme Court could mar
tn damus reluctant Congress or Senate
r. respect and obey such request. @
the states by concerted action could ca
tv and form such convention in cas-
n. either branch of Congress ignored tn
az request of the constitutional number {
ty states required This step would prot
he ably be taken should the Senate agai
de attempt to thwart the will of the peopI
an by killing the bill. Whether the men
oe bers realize it or not there is no que,
ton as to the fact that the United State
Senate is on trial for its life at the ba
~ | of nuhlic opinion