ever could be made that
would be, in the language of the Senator from Massachusetts, an
improvement. Why, sir, they provided themselves, as we all know, in
the original instrument, for its amendment. They, in the very earliest
days of our history, amended it themselves."

The result of retaining the "Constitution as it is" would be this:
"The continuance of precisely the same rule, and the fostering of a
feeling which the honorable Senator from Massachusetts has well proven
to be contrary to the very foundation principles of a republican
government. There can be no question that such would be the result;
and we should have in a portion of the States all the people
represented and all the people acting, and in another portion of the
States all the people represented and but a portion of the people only
exercising political rights and retaining them in their own hands.
Such has been the case, and such, judging of human nature as it is, we
have a right to suppose will continue to be the case."

The measure proposed by the committee was not entirely satisfactory to
Mr. Fessenden. "I am free to confess," said he, "that could I
legislate upon that subject, although I can see difficulties that
would arise from it, yet trusting to time to soften them, and being
desirous, if I can, to put into the Constitution a principle that
commends itself to the consideration of every enlightened mind at
once, I would prefer something of that sort, a distinct proposition
that all provisions in the constitution or laws of any State making
any distinction in civil or political rights, or privileges, or
immunities whatever, should be held unconstitutional, inoperative, and
void, or words to that effect. I would like that much better; and I
take it there are not many Senators within the sound of my voice who
would not very much prefer it; but, after all, the committee did not
recommend a provision of that description, and I stand here as the
organ of the committee, approving what they have done, and not
disposed to urge my own peculiar views, if I have any, against theirs,
or to rely exclusively on my own judgment so far as to denounce what
honorable and true men, of better judgments than myself, have thought
best to recommend, and in which I unite and agree with them."

After having given objections to limiting the basis of representation
to voters, Mr. Fessenden remarked: "And if you extend it to citizens,
or narrow it to citizens, you make