Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-02-23

them he is a dead man officially, and his acts
have no validity with me.
You may argue questions of expedieucy; you
may argue questions Of the restoration of the
Union; ] shall argue, first my oath, my con-
science, and my duty TO civil liberty. You may
reflect your wishes, your hopes and your fears in
your arguments here, but nothing can change a
principle or escape the power of truth. No inge-
nuity away the fact that in this procla-
nation George F. Shspley was usurper. Ii is
of piece too. with widespread system of ex-
ecutive encroachment, which, unless trampled
under foot by the representatives of free people,
will speedily trample US 10 death under its feet.
Give to this system vitality here, in this Hall,
and If your armies move on and take possession
OF States, the Representatives, not of the people,
but of the one man power enthroned at the west
end of this capital. will be seen here outnumber-
ing and defeatingth Representatives of all the
loyal States in this Union. In vain then will
popular elections take place; in vain will popular
measures be inaugurated; your President can
defy them ALL
If you falter upon .he course which the recon-
mendation of the Committee on Elections invites
US to pursue. this day you place the liberties of
the people N the hands of the President. A ma
jority in this House may adopt this resolution,
but that majority no longer expresses the will OF
n majority of the people No, sir: the people of
the country are listening with joyful anxiety Tor
the sound OF the retiring footsteps of the majority
of this House as they 20 out to return no more
to these Halls. declare before the country that
within the last twenty months the Thirty Seventh
Congress has sanctioned greater strides toward
despotism than has ever been made in any other
Government protesting constitutional limits
within period of two hundred years. And If
had not thought this was part and parcel of
grand gigantic system of executive domination,
would not have raised my voice to day. 1t is not
my custom nor my pleasure to mngle much in
debate. But / ask the people to watch the pro-
ceedings on this question.
If the army can 20 forth and bring representa-
tves with voices equal to ours; with no consLitu-
ents to trammel them at their back; with no one
| TO represent except the President then might
/ ms well know il at once. Then our seats here
become worse than yalueleSs. They will be en-
| blems of our vassalase DO not saw and do
not wish TO be understood saying, that the gen.
tlemen from Ne@ Orleans wogld, in any sense.
be the tools and the implements of usurped pow
er here. know nothing OF il. i care to know
moth ng of it. The principle. however, is wrought
with disaster aud absolute overthrow TO republi-
can liberty. IL is also fraueht with the absolute
| overthrow of the independence of this legislative
body. You may sanction it if you please.
wash my hands of il.
| But. sir. suppose we sanction the principle of
/ this report OF the committee. where will il stopl
Under this military rule members of a Legisla-
ture may be elected. and they can return Sena-
tors to the other branch OF Congress, and soon
I the BnbrOken waves nf an absolute deSpotism
! will sweep over every State ia the Union. The
proud turret- of State sovereignty will sink be-
meath the stagnant uniformity o: Executive usur-
| patton, hOpeleSSly submerged as the cities
which perished in the dismal depths of the Dead
Sea. Ay sir. the Dead Sea OF absolute despot-
ism will pervade the face OF the whole country,
for il this thing take place in one instance, il
can take place in all.
| Mr. Harrison If the people of Louisiana can
/ not reconstruct their State government, by put
ting its organization into active practical operation
and thereby fully restore the constitutional rela-
tons between it and the General Government, in
the manner which ] have suggested. would they
not be compelled ii the rebellion could be totally
suppressed in that State to morrow, still to re-
main for long period OF time unrepresented in
Congress and continue substantially in a state of
| anarchy?
Mr. Voorhees,: The gentleman argument pro-
ceeds upon ground | have never recognized,
and which ! never will recognize. the ground of
expediency. They must remain rather than
call upon TO PROSTATE and stab the liberties of
the country. They must so remain rather than
ask US TO establish upon the ruins ot the country
the unqueStioned tyrannv OF Executive power.
One word further The, must remain unrep-
resented according to the theory OF our Govern
ment. peace being kept IN their borders by military
power until the people can establish their civil
government not in violation OF law but by virtue
of AMI in srricI conformity 10 law. as have al
ready indicated Ii the military power cannot
protect the people in asserting their rights accord
ing TO law il is not worth maintaining. Its mis-
son ia that case. j. failure What are YOU ex-
ercising it Tor! To give the people chance to
violate .awl No. sir: will never give my sane
ton that The military power shall become an en-
gine with which ;he Executive maA overthrow the
laws and make his ill supreme
Tine gentleman SAYS tlat Louisiana may remain
long time in this condition. SuppoSe she does.
we do no violence to our own liberties. If mill
tary power is win back single State to the
Union, ler me saw that il will have be welded
in all instances 70 give the people an opportunity
to obey the laws OF their own makng, and not
for the purpose OF usurping their laws and sup
planting them with another system
Mr. Harrison: Win the gentleman yield to me
once morei
Mr. voorhees,: Weld To the gentleman, al
though am not the recipient of any like favor
from thar side of rhe House
Mr. Harrison: nave never refused the gentle
maRa like courtesy.
Mr. VOORHEES,: The remark was not intended
for my clever friend from Ohio, but for the ma
iority on that side of the House who, by paria-
mentary tactics. have kent of the floor.
Mr. Harrison: ] have. since became member
of this House. been in favor OF freedom of debate
by gentlemen on both sides OF the House, and
have stuoiOusly endeavored To observe that cour
tesy toward every member which becomes the
place. do not intend now TO he troublesome.
Mr.. VOORHEES,: You not.
Mr. Harrison: / desire TO inquire of the gentle
man what provision of the Constitution of the
United States will be violated by allowing the
people ot the State Of Louisiana 70 obtain rep
resentatiou in this House. To Danish from their
midst the evils OF anarchv. and secure the protec
ton afforded bv the execution of the laws by civil
magstrates, which they - Vastly need?
Mr.. VOORHEES,: representation according to
law would be in violation OF no principle that
know Of representation against. contrary TO
law would be in violation of the Constitution,
which requires to uphold law.
Mr. Harrison: omitted to limit mg PROPOSE
ton with the words: obtaining representation in
this House in the mode have suggested.
Mr. VOORHEES,: have been trying now three
quarters of an hour elucidsie that very point
whether these gentlemen come here by virtue of
the sanction of the Constitution; BY virtue OF au
thority we can hold to be legal aud proper.
think have shown TO the House that their cleo
ton is founded upon principle that - totally
subversive OF the freedom and Independence Of
this body. and in contraventon of the Constitu-
ton and laws of Louisiana and the Constitution
Of the United States.
Let me hasten on. have talked much longer
than expected / would. This Governor Shep-
ley. as he styles himself. has not even tried TO
obey the laws concerning the details OF these cleo
tions. Ny friend from Kentucky has asked
whether the people have not done as well as they
could. ! expect they have. do not blame
them. They were threatened with the Presi-
dents proclamation to be robbed Of their proper
ty if thev were not represented They were