M'arthur Democrat

proposed Amendment to the Constitution.

Mr. Sumner recently introduced into the Senate a joint resolution to provide for submitting to the several States an amendment to the Constitution in the following words,

"Article.--Everywhere within the limits of the United States and each State and Territory thereof, all persons are equal before the law, so that no person can hold another as a slave."

Subsequently the Judiciary Committee reported adversely on the resolution and submitted the following joint resolutions.

Resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled. That two-thirds of both Houses concurring, the following article be proposed to the Legislatures of the several States as an amendment to the Constitution of the United States which, when ratified by three-fourths of said Legislatures, shall be valid to all intents and purposes, as part of said Constitution namely.

Article 13. Section 1.--Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime, whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States or any place subject to their jurisdiction.

Section 2. Congress shall have power to enforce this article by appropriate legislation.

To three-fourths of what States is this to be submitted? Can three-fourths of the old Union be gotten to respond to this proposed amendment? It is known to be impossible, unless Legislatures be improvised by the army for the purpose! A Constitution made or amended by force or fraud or both combined, will be a curious document for the allegiance and loyalty of a free people! Hammering at slavery, and through that process hammering at our whole system of government, is the sole business of those in control of affairs.

As is natural, it will be seen that this Congress substitutes Legislatures as the instruments for declaring the will of the people of the States--as unfortunately they are permitted by the Constitution--instead of Conventions the recognized authority for the expression of the people's sovereignty. Legislatures are bound by Constitutions when the people create them in their Conventions. Conventions speak into existence the provisions by and under for which Legislatures are created--Legislatures are not the depositories of sovereignty, and can give an expression of a people's sovereignty except in so far as may be prescribed--Hence no Legislature has right or power to bind a people in matters of sovereignty superior to their own existence. But this Constitution allowing Congress the privilege which it has exercised it is clear why it has availed itself of the privilege. It is intent upon ignoring any or all sovereignty in the people and the Legislatures of all Northern states; are unfortunately pledged to the same doctrines as Congress.--Crisis.