epresentation to a representation upon all persons, with the proviso
that wherever any State excludes a particular class of persons from
the elective franchise, that State to that extent shall not be
entitled to be represented in Congress. It does not deny to the States
the right to regulate the elective franchise as they please; but it
does say to a State, 'If you exclude from the right of suffrage
Frenchmen, Irishmen, or any particular class of people, none of that
class of persons shall be counted in fixing your representation in
this House. You may allow them to vote or not, as you please; but if
you do allow them to vote, they will be counted and represented here;
while if you do not allow them to vote, no one shall be authorized to
represent them here; they shall be excluded from the basis of
representation.'"

As indicative of the apparent harmony of sentiments prevailing on the
question, Mr. Wilson said that the Committee on the Judiciary had
determined to report a proposition substantially identical with that
offered by Mr. Stevens.

It was deemed important to have the joint resolution passed as soon as
possible, that it might go before the State Legislatures then in
session for their ratification before their adjournment. The member
who had the measure in charge desired, after one or two speeches on
either side, to have the question put to vote, and have the resolution
passed before the sun went down. Such action, however, seemed to the
House too hasty, and a discussion of the measure was entered upon,
which ran through many days.

Mr. Rogers, a member of the committee, offered a minority report, and
addressed the House in opposition to the proposed amendment of the
Constitution. He thus presented his view of the object of the measure
proposed: "It appears to have in its body, in its soul, and in its
life only one great object and aim; that is, to debase and degrade the
white race, and to place upon a higher footing than the white men are
placed, under the Constitution, this African race. It is a proposition
to change the organic law of the land with regard to one of the
fundamental principles which was laid down by our fathers at the
formation of the Constitution as an axiom of civil and political
liberty, that taxation and representation should always go together.
If gentlemen will examine this proposed amendment of the Constitution,
they will see that it is in violation of that great doctrine which was