Mr. SPALDING. Mr. Speaker, I shall ever consider it the crowning honor of my life that I was permitted, as a humble member of the 38th Congress, to record my vote in favor of that amendment to the Constitution of the U.S. which has made our whole country, the U.S.A., emphat ically “the land of the free"as it is confess edly “the home of the brave.” And I hope that I may be permitted this day to give one other vole which shall be among the richest legacies I can transmit to my children. Sir, on the 5th day of January last it fell to my lot to address this House in ComWhole. At the close of my remarks on that occasion, I ventured to state a number of propositions which I supposed would satisfy my constituency in this business of reconstruc t“ion. Among those propositions was one to amend the Constitution of the U.S. in respect to apportionmentof Representatives and direct taxes among the several States of the Union. in such manner that ‘people of color’ shall not be counted with the population making up the ratio, except it be in States where they are permitted to exercise the elective franchise.” Among the provisions of the amendment to the Constitution now reported by the committee I find one substantial y cov ering the same round. I say, as an individual, that I won] more cheerfully give my vote ifthat provision allowed all men of preper age whom we have made free to join. in the exercise of the right of suffrage in this country. But ifI cannot obtain all that I wish, I will go heartily to secure all we can obtaii. Again, sir, I said, “Insertapro'ision in the Constitution prohibiting the repudation of the national debt, and also prohibitin the assumption by Congress of the rebel debt ” That is also incorporated among the pr visions reported from the committee apd acted upon by the Senate. I also said, “ Providein the Cons tutien that no person who has at any time tak ' up arms against the U.S shall ever be admit ted to a seat in the Senate or House if Representatives of Congress.” The joint c mmittee and the Senate have adopted a previsi n which is better by far than the one I proposed I shall most cordially vote in favor ofit. I have been told that erhaps the e ose of the 3rd section might 0 open to misppreliension and misconstrnction. I desi very briefly to give my view of that question, a one given to the construing of laws and cons.itutions by practice and education. The clause of that section is as follows: But Congressma. by a vote of 2/3rds ofe House. reniove sue disabi ty. Now, it has been claimed by some that thi. would put it into the power of 2/3rds 0 each branch of Congress to annnl this amendment of the Constitution afterit shall have beei adopted. I say that such never could be th construction put upon this provision by an court under the light of the sun. The section reads: Sec. 3.No person shall bea Senator or Representative in Congress or elector of Prestdent and VEEP or hold any otticc civil or military under the U.S., or under any State, who having previously taken an oath. as a.member of Congress or as an DillctT of the U.S or as a member of any State Legislature or asan executiveor judicial offii er of any State to support the Constitution of the U.S shall have engagedin iiisny i'cction or rebellion against the same or given aid and comfort to the enemiesthereof. But Congress may '. by a veto of 2/3rds of eachHouse. remove such disability. Remove what disability? The personal disability in each individual case, and not to remove the proviSion of the Constitution itself, which is to stand for all time. I am satisfied to take this proposed amendment as it is. I take it from the 1st word of the JtResolution to the last syllable of the proposed amendment; and I give to the whole a hearty “ amen, ” and I trust that the vote this day will show that all the Union members of this House here present are actuated by the same sentiments which now inspire my bosom.