Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1864-05-04
antee republican form of Government in
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antee republican form of Government in
q rc0rdance with the Constitution.
He believed that the effect of the bill
would be to crush ont the loyal men In
those States, and stimulate them to resist
ance. 1t was an invasion of the powers ol
the people OF State, which are inherent,
and of which they can not lawfully be de-
| prived. Gentlemen should not, while seek
ing to preserve the Government, be influ-
enced by feeling and prejudice. They
! should be guided by reason and justice.
The question is not how much the South
have sinned, but what is wise and best for
a happy and peaceful union for both the
North and South; for history tells us that
if we disregard the Constitution, which is
the great bond which holds the Union to-
gether, we will not only be tramplng the
rights of the States but will destroy our
own liberties.
We will not save and restore the people OF
the land under one Government by tramp
ling Oh the guarantees of the Constitution.
Drive out the usurpers there, and the peo-
pie will take care of their own States.
The name of Mr.. Samuel j. Randall, OF
Pennsylvania, was enormously printed in
favor of instead of against the bill, equal
izing the pay of colored troops, and placing
the negro on the same footing with white
soldiers. l,
Mr.. Leonard Myers, of Pennsyl, ania, ol :
tanned leave to record his vote in Iavor OF
the same measure.
The House then took q recess till 2. NJ.
EVENING SESSION.
The bill guaranteeing Republican Gov
ernment to rebellious States being under
consideration, Mr.. Gooch, of Massachuset,r 3,
made speech in favor of the bill
Mr. Perry said that not one less victory
| would have been won by our army if the
President had not issued his procllmations,
and If Congress had been dumb. Presi-
dental .proclamations and Congressional
| actions had been clogs to victory.
Our armyhad achieved successes in spite
of them. As the Administration spurned
the advice of Mcclellan, he had not hope
that his own counsels would arrest the acts
of those in power. Having rejected that
| Generals military plans, so they did his
civil policy. which went hand in hand with
it. But there was higher authority to
which he could appeal. The people, who
| are quick to detect imbecility and corrup-
ton, would listen to his counsel. Though
| they might be misled for time. the decep-
ttOn could not long continue. They would
render justice to all and to him whose splen-
did military services had been treated with
base ingratitudc, ignominy and disgrace.
lie condemned the acts of the present Ad-
ministration generally.
Mr.. Fernando Wood said he had carefully
examined the bill and the speech of the
Chairman of the Select Committee, Mr..
Davis, of Maryland, to ascertain on what
facts he predicted the assertion that the
State Governments had been Overthrown.
The General Government had declared that
there could be no republican State Govern
ments which did not recognize Congress
and the President, and that the Govern
ments here represented were the only Gov
ernments existing.
This was but an assumption and the eX-
treme of folly. The Confederate constitu-
| tiOn in all its element of republicanism,
was an improvement on our own, because
it more clearly defined the powers of the
State The people of the Southern States
enjoyed more liberty to-day than we had
for the last three years. North Carolina
has openly opposed the Confederate EN-
ecutive. Weat Northern State would dare
to follow the example in respect to ouI
own?
Doubtless despotism existed at the South,
| as military authority was always repug-
nant to liberty. TO impose on any people
a Government against their will would be
the worst form of government. He fur
ther cOntrovcrted the doctrine enuuciated
by the gentleman from Maryland, con-
tending that whatever might pc the condi-
ton of the country the States remained.