Year: 1865

BY it's operation, eight miIliuns OF white peo.
pie in the Southern States hold and cxer-
else political power fully sixty per cent.
greater than an equal number of white peos
plo In the Northern States, by reason Of
having in their midst four .and-a-half millions
of negroes. This provision was the chief
compromise which our fathers made with
the institution of slavery, and although,
through sense Of its great injustice, it has
been impatiently acquiesced in by the
Northern people, yet ithas been carried out
in good faith but now that slavery, the
foundation of this compromise, has passed
away, the provision should DO so changed
as to suit the altered condition of the coun-
try, and do justice to every part Of the ma.
ton. If il were so amended as to apportion
representation and political power among
the several States according to the actual
number of male voters over the nge of
twenty-one years, II would be equally fair
for all, and would put it out of the power
Of the people of any State, or class Of States,
TO increase or double their political power
by the presence in their midst Of popula-
tion which they themselves deprive of all
political rights and thus inducements
would be presented to tho several States,
in order to eularge their power in the Gov
ernment, TO confer political rights upon
every class Of persons, without regard to
color, or nationality, US rapidly as might be
deemed consistent with their true interests.
BY the cersus of 1860, the fifteen slave
/ States we're allowed oighty.four (S4) MEM
bers of Congress, because OF the representa-
tion of three-fCths of their slaves, aud now
tha; the slaves are made free, aud the other
two.hfths added to their basis OF represen-
tatlon, they would be entitled to fourteen
members more, although perhaps in point
OF law this increase cannot take place an
terror TO the year 1870 lf the uegro pop
ulation was equally diffused throughout all
the States, this inequality would not exist
but the fact is. il is not so diffusod, and tho
probability is that the concentration in tho
Southern States will become greater from
year to year by the emigration thither of
the cclored populat Oh of the North. Ac-
cording to the census Of $50 the Southern
States upon a tehiie basis would have been
entitled to sixty six members of Congress,
instead Of eigty-four according to the OK.


listing basis.


Whatever oppositiON there may be to tho
adoption of this proposed amendment, it
amounts when stripped Of it's coverings,
and sophistries, simply TO this that the
white people of tho South shall continue to
exercise in the future, as in the past sixty
per cent more of political power in the Ma
tionul Government than an equal number
of white people IN the North, and for this
great inequality aud injustice am wholly
unable to perceive any good or sufficient
reason.


Should such an amendment I've passed by
the requ site nsajorities through the Con-
gress OF the United States, before your final
adjournment, would most respectfully, but
earnestly recommend its immediate rati6ca-
ton on your part.


In conclusion upon this subject, I am not
of tho opinion that tic lerculean work of
reconstruction will he accomplished at one
time, by any general and sweeping process,
but that it will proceed State by State, Az
each one shall conform to tho requirements
of the Government, and show itself loyal
and prepared to resume it's practical rela-
tions III the Union. The conditions which
have been imposed upon these States by
the President, are not only reasonable and
legitimate. but are dictated by Justice and u
wise foresight for the fut1rNRl the Repub-
lie, and although they may eI6e accepted
this year, or even the next, yet that they
ultimately will be have no doubt. And il
the work OF reorganization shall be success
fully completed within the same period
which was required to put down the rebel
lion, it will be within tho limit Of my ex-
poet atoms. U-... .r.i