thus given that the
institution should never exist in the land. Propositions to
amend the Constitution were becoming as numerous as
preambles and resolutions at town meetings called to
consider the most ordinary questions connected with the
administration of local affairs. All this, in his opinion,
had a tendency to diminish the dignity and prestige attached
to the Constitution of the country, and to lessen the
respect and confidence of the people in their great charter
of freedom. If, however, amendments are to be made to the
Constitution, changing the basis of representation and
taxation, (and he did not deem them at all necessary at the
present time,) he knew of none better than a simple
proposition, embraced in a few lines, making in each State
the number of qualified voters the basis of representation,
and the value of property the basis of direct taxation. Such
a proposition could be embraced in the following terms:

"'Representatives shall be apportioned among the several
States which may be included within this Union according to
the number of qualified voters in each State.

"'Direct taxes shall be apportioned among the several States
which may be included within this Union according to the
value of all taxable property in each State.'

"An amendment of this kind would, in his opinion, place the
basis of representation and direct taxation upon correct
principles. The qualified voters were, for the most part,
men who were subject to draft and enlistment when it was
necessary to repel invasion, suppress rebellion, and quell
domestic violence and insurrection. They risk their lives,
shed their blood, and peril their all to uphold the
Government, and give protection, security, and value to
property. It seemed but just that property should compensate
for the benefits thus conferred by defraying the expenses
incident to its protection and enjoyment.

"Such an amendment, the President also suggested, would
remove from Congress all issues in reference to the
political equality of the races. It would leave the States
to determine absolutely the qualifications of their own
voters with regard to color; and thus the number of
Representatives to which they would be entitled in Congress
would depend upon the number upon w