Year: 1867

The hlchmond enquirer OF tne 4bh III |
slant says: ave give below copy Of plan
OF settlement, in the shape Of amendments to
the Federal and State Constitution, which
we understand is proposed by certain gen
tlemen from the South who have but recently
visited Washington. This scheme has been
shown, we hear, to various members Of the
Legislature Of Virginia, and the intention is
topresent ii to the Legislature Of North Car
olna for formal adoption. The patrons Of
the measure have indicated a solicitude to
keep IL out Of the newspapers, and thus pre-
vent for q while, at least, any public discus
sion Of its merits. We have received this
document, however, with full liberty Of pub
hcation, from one who himself received II in
like manner; and we do not feel justified in
Withholding it from our readers


The people Of the South, at large, are pro-
posed to be affected by its provisions in their
gravest and most important interests; and
il is their clear and unquestionable right to
measures devised by those who, whether with
or without adequate authority, have under
taken the Office of pointing out basis o
settlement. Any attempt to veil such meas
ures from the public scrutiny until sufficient
numbers Of persons in the legislative bodies
can be committed TO secure their adoption,
is alike opposed to the genius Of our institu-
tions and to the just rights of our people.
The following is the scheme:


PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO THE CONSTITUTION OF


THE UNITED STATES.


Article l4-Section l. The Union under
the Constitution is, and shall be, perpetual
No State shall pass any law or ordinance tC
secede or withdraw from the Union, and any
such law or ordinance shall be null and void


Section 2. The public debt Of the United
States, authorized by law, shall ever be held
sacred and inviolate. But neither the United
States nor any State shall assume or pay any
debt or obligation incurred in aid Of insur
rection or rebellion against the Government
or authority Of the United States.


Section 8. All persons born or naturalizet
in the United States, and subject to the
jurisdiction thereof are citizens Of the United
States and Of the States in which they reside
No State shall make or enforce any law
which shall abridge the privileges or immu,
mites Of citizens Of the United States; nor
liberty, or property, without due process oi
law, nor deny to any person within its juris
diction the equal protection Of the laws.


Section 4. Representatives shall be app or
toned among the several States according
to their respective numbers, counting the
whole number Of persons in each State, ex
cluding Indians not taxed. But when any
State shall, on account Of race or color, OIL
previous condition Of servitude, exclude from
voting at any election for the choice Of elec
tors for President and Vice President Of the
United States, Representatives in Congress
members Of the Legislature or other officers
elective by the people, any Of the male in
habitants Of such State, being 2l years oi
age and citizens Of the United States, then
the entire class OF persons SO excluded from
the elective franchise, shall not be counted
in the basis Of representation. No State
shall require as property qualification for
voters more than two hundred and fifty dol
lars worth Of taxable property, nor as an
educational qualification more education
than enough to enable the voter to read the
Constitution Of the United States in the
English language and write his own name


PROPOSED AMENDMENT TO STATE CONSTITUTION.


Article. Every male citizen who has re.
sided in this State for one year. and in the
county in which he offers to vote six months
Immediately preceding the day OF election
and who can read the Constitution of the
United States in the English language, and
can write his own name, or who may be the
owner Of two hundred and fifty dollars worth
OF taxable property, shall be entitled TO vote
at all elections for Governor Of the State
members of the Legislature, and oil Other
officers elective by the people of the State
Provided, That no person, by reason of thii
article, shall be excluded from voting who
has heretofore exercised the elective franchise
under the constitution and laws Of this State
or who, at the time of the adoption of this
amendment, may be entitled to vote under
said consultation and laws.