y are admitted to representation under the Constitution just as it
stands, they will have any increase of Representatives. My opinion is,
that after the next census their representation will be diminished
unless emigration from the North or from Europe shall fill up their
population and increase it so as to entitle it to an increased
representation."

Mr. Doolittle argued that the amendment was capable of being evaded by
a State disposed to disfranchise colored men: "I do not see," said he,
"that there is any thing in the resolution which would prevent South
Carolina or any other State from passing a law that any person who was
born free, or whose ancestors were free, should exercise the elective
franchise, and none others. That would exclude the whole of the
colored population, and yet would leave the State to have its full
representation. There is nothing which would prevent the State of
South Carolina or any other State from saying that only those persons
who had served in the military service, and their descendants, should
exercise the elective franchise. That would exclude the colored
population, and the Union population, too, if they refused to serve in
the army."

Mr. Doolittle closed his remarks by advocating an amendment basing
representation upon actual voters under State laws.

Mr. Morrill, of Maine, addressed the Senate in support of the
proposition to amend the Constitution. He said: "Some amendment is
rendered absolutely necessary, unless the American Constitution is to
give to the nation the expression of utterly contradictory sentiments,
saying involuntary servitude no longer exists, in one portion of it;
in another, bearing on its front in marked contrast, that three-fifths
only of the 'other persons' are to still constitute the basis of
representation."

He recalled a time not far remote when amendments of the Constitution
were adopted by those who now oppose any alteration of the fundamental
law: "I do not forget," said he, "that within the last five years a
class of statesmen and politicians, who now resist all propositions
for an amendment of the Constitution, here and elsewhere urged and
demanded amendments of the Constitution of the nation. What were the
circumstances then? Several States threatened to dissolve this Union;
several States had taken an attitude hostile to the Government of the
country. They demanded the extension, the protection, and the
perpetuation of slavery; and upon that q