The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1865-06-29
Speech Of Gen r c. Schenck,

At Columbus, Ohio, Gen. ScHEScK,
made a speech after the business of the
State Convention was concluded, on the
evening OF the 21st, from which we take
the following extracts, particularly bear
ing on the questions of reconstruc-
tion and suffrage, which are at present
enlisting the attention of the people:
RECONSTRUCTION AND RENOVATION
but all States are not rs happily stu
ated a. Ohio From the loyal States, if
we look over the border, We shall see
trouble yet in those States lately in in
surrection: and because of this trouble
among them. as they form component
parts of this whole country of ours which
we mean shall not he divided, the re
sponsbility devolves upon Us, in part, if
not altogether, to remove the difficulties
under which they labor And herein we
find the difficulty of our work. We find
that when we have fought down REBEL
ion and vindicated the honor of our flag,
there is much to do III order that they
may enter upon career of peace, which
shall continue to be prosperous, and
marked by no recurrence of the original
disturbing cause In other words, gen
tlemen, after having compelled rebels to
come to n sense of their duty, by the
power of the sword, there remains the
duty of placing them in such relations to
the loyal States that have sustained the
flag and preserved the national integrity,
rs they will not again have it in their
power to disturb the peace Of the coun
try, and impcril the nations life in the
same way.
And this is what is called, by some, the
question of reconstruction. / prefer not
to call it reconstruction, but renovation.
1t has always seemed to me that the task
that now lies before US, and up to which
we have come, and toward the accom-
] plishment of which we must lend our
/ help-either by the exercise of execu-
! tive power by the President, by the sus-
tanning legislation of Congress, by all
the departments of the Administration
rallying around Congress, and also by
the sentiments and support of the mas
ses of the people-in this task, it seems
/ to me, we have all to take a share, and
perform it wisely and well, and this task
/ prefer to designate as Il work of reno
walton, and not Of reconstruction. be
cause | hold that what we want is what
can only be work of time; what we want
is to have these States grow slowly and I
surely into that sound and loyal condi {.
ton in which it will be safe to restore
them to their proper normal relations to .
the rest of this country, in order that we
may become a united and harmonious ,
nation as before
The question which meets US at the .
outset, discussed in Congress, made the .
subject of inquiry with reference to what .
our President is doing, what seems to be .
sanctioned by his Administrations
1r4-tinu i fir-t IyHo- iS fhn Z
dition OF these States? | have heard
great deal OF nonsense, as it seemed to
me, as TO whether the rebellious States
are in or out Of the UniOn-nonsense as
to mere abstract issues, which have no
practical character or force, in my opin
ion. Surrounded as the question Is with
difficulties, | submit my views with all
modesty to you, but conldent it IS the
right view to take Of the whole matter.
1t has seemed to me that these States,
whether in the Union or ont OF the Union,
are TO be treated simply rs States, but
that their people, organized or in their
individual capacity, have attempted to
break loose from the restraints of Con
stsitution and law, and have been com
pelled to submit to that Constitution and
laws Ny idea is this, that by their he
havior these people and the States which
these people compose, in going into in
surrection. abandoning their old organic
and lawful condition, have forfeited all
rights as citizens and States, but have
not released themselves from any of the
obligations before binding upon them
and having forfeited their rights we have
the right to punish them as SINNERS
But while we treat them III this respect.
because their rights are forfeited. | hold
that for all practical purposes OF being
treated and punished. or pardoned, as
traitors and as men, who, belonging to
the nation, arc liable to the Constitution
and laws Of the nation, are in the t nion,
in the country, for all purposes of pun
ishment. and because of the obligations
from which they have been unable to re
lease themselves; but out of tile Union
so far is men can put themselves ont of
the pale of the law by their own miscon-
duet Let me illustrate: There stands
your Penitentiary: in it are a number of
men more or less deluded and wicked,
who have violated the laws cf the State
Are they not yet citizens of the State of
Ohio? There Is your Lunatic Asylum;
men insane, without moral sense. or in
tellectual power to distinguish between
right and wrong, are there confined, not
because of their misdeeis, but because
Of their unhappy condition. Are they
not still citizens Of Ohio? So I say Of
these rebellious States and people, They
are in the Union, and of the Union, but .
sinners to be punished, or lunatics for
treatment. and will have to serve ont
proper term of probation. All we have
to do is TO keep them in limbo until they
come out of their unhappy condition
Laughter and cheers. | would illus
trate this matter by another analogy. i
would require those States that have
been in rebellion. and thus placed them
selves in an unhealthy condition, to sub
nit To treatment / would compare them
to patient who has n paraiyzed limb,
and Is under the physicians care. Be
cause the whole of his body does not
perform all il proper functions. l would
not speak Of any sirb or portion as not
belonging 10 the body. The concern Of .
thn ,AhN-Si..ia.n i .,nt whn-hnr tic IL so :