The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-13

aroand that happy meeting In iscs and for the pre-
Sent farewell loud applauss)
THADDEUS STEVENS SPEECH.
Delivered ~ Lancaster, Pennsylvania,
September 8, 1865.
THE SOUTH mRzw OFF AILBGIAsCE
Four years Of bloody and expensive waged against
the United States by eleven States under government
called the Confederate States Of America TO which
they acknowledged allegiance have overthrown all gov
ernments within those States which could be acknow
edged as legitimate by the Union The armies Of the
Confederate States having been conquered and subdued
and their territory possessed by the United States be-
comes necessary to establish governments therein which
shall be republican in form and principles, and form
"more perfect union" with the parent government It
is desirable that such should be pursued to
exclude from those governments every vestge of human
bondage and render the forever impossible in this
nation, and to take that principles Of sefde-
sruction shall be incorporated therein In eecng this
it is 70 be hoped that provision Of the constitution
will be nfrnged, and principle Of the law Of nations
disregarded Especially must we take that in
bukng this unjust and reasonable the authorities OF
the Union shall indulge inTno acts Of usurpation
which may tend TO impair the stability and permancncy
Of the natioHc Within these limitations holdt be
ment the rebel belgerents and weaken their hands
that they again endanger the Union, andso re-
form their municipal institutions to make them epub
can in spirit as we'll as In name. .as4
WHAT SHOULD BE Doss WITH SOUTH. n
We especially insist that Til. property Of the chief
rebels should be seized and appropriated to the payments
OF the national debit caused by the unjust and wicked
war which they instigated How can such punishments
be inflicted and such foreitures produced without doing
violence to established principles? Two positions have
been suggested
RrstTo treat those States as never having been out
fhe In ids
and therefore fact forbidden by law could not exist
Second-To accept the position in which they placed
themselves severed from the Union-an independent
de acto and alien enemy 10 be dealt with
according TO the laws OF war
THE CRIME OF TREASON.
The crime of treason be committed only where tho
person is actually or potentially present Jefferson Davis
sitting in Richmond counsellng, or advising, or com
handing an inroad into Pennsylvania, has committed no
overt act in this State and can be tried anywhere,
only in the Richmond district The doctrine cOnstruc
tive presence and constructive treason will never hope
poute our statutes or judicial decisions Select an IN
partial jury from Virginia. and it is obvious convic.
ton could ever be had Possibly jury might be packed
to convict; but that would not be Impartial jury
1t would be judicial murder, and would rank in infamy
with the trial Of Lord RUSSELL except only that the
tor The difficulties would exist in attempting
feitures which can only follow conviction in States
tected by the constitution and then is said only for
the life Of tho maleacor Congress can pass no bill Of
asMInunr. .-.@ ~ .~..~ --'..-,ss---.-
HOW TO BEGIN RECONSTRUCTION
Whdt right has any to direct a conpe',tna 10 be
constitution and prescribe the qualifications Of potersa
The sovereign power OF the nation Is lodged in Con-
gress. Yet where Is the warrant in the constitution
for such sovereign power much less the Executive, to
intermeddle with the domestic institutions OF STATE
mould its laws and regulate the elective franchise9
II would % rank, DANGEROUS and deplorabe nsurpeLon
IN reconstruction, theyre no reform can &c tcSc'ed
IN The Southern Satcs u they bare Btrsr ls Mc Union
But reformation must be effected; the foundation
Of their institutons-political municipal and socd
must be broken up and relad, or all our blood and
treasure have been spent in vain This can only be done
by treating and holding them as a conquered people
Then all things which desire to do follow with
logical and legitimate authority As conquered territory
Gongess would nave iu power % iegsate ior them Tor
far as the express power 70 govern them given Con
gress They would be held in territorial condition until
they arc 1T TO form State constitutions, republican in
fact not in form only and ask admission into the Union
new States. If Congress approve Of their ttu-
E nS ak hsy saSs done works for repent
constitutions are not approved of they would be
back, until they had become wise enough TO purge
their old laws 10 eradicate every despoc and rcvou
tonary principle--untl they shall have learned to
venerate the Declaration of Independence / do not
touch the question OF negro suffrage. II in the Union
the states have long regulated that and for the
cbievous impertnence. II they to be admitted
States, they must form their constitution and
no enabling act conld dictate It's terms Congress could
prescribe the qualifications OF voters while Territory
or when proceeding 10 call convention 10 form Stale
government. That Is the extent Of the power Of Con
gross the elective franchise whether in Territorial
or State condition The President has not this or
any other power 70 medde in the subject, except by
advice to Congressman they on Territories Congress,
to be sure has some sort OF compulsory power by
fusing the States admiss until they shall have
ped with lis wishes upon this subject Whether those
who have fought battles should be all allowed TO
VOTE only those Of paer hue, leave be discussed
in the future, when Congrcss take legitimate coy
nzance Of IT, There about 00o 600 Of freedmen
the South The number OF o land is 465 000 GOO
Oh this those who own above 200 acres each number
about TO- 600 persons holding in the aggregaetogether
with the Stcs-abou 393 900 600 acres leaving for all
the others below 200 each about IL 900 coo By
thus FORGETTING the estates o. the leading rebels the gov
eminent would have 394 600 600 Of besides their
town property and yet nneenths OF the people would
remain untouched. DIVIDE this land into convenient
farms Give, If you please, forty acres TO each adult
male freedman. Suppose there are ZOO 600 Of them
That would require 40 600 Of acres which deducted
from 394 000 0D0 leaves 354 COO Of sale
Divide into suitable FARMS and sell IL To the highest
bidders ! think II, including town property, would
average at least $40 per That would produce
S. 100000 lie; that be applied follows, TO wit
!. Invest $500, 600 In six per cent government
bonds and add the interest semi anDually 10 the pen
sions Of those who have become entitled by this william
Appropriate $780, 600 600 pay the damage done to
loyal men, North and South, by the rebellion.
Pay the residue, being So, 040 00,000 toward the
payment Of the national debt.
TIE NATIONAL pgBr
Our debt 10 estimated at from three to four billions
Of dollars In my Judgment, when all is funded and
the pensions capitalized, IL win reach more than four
billions
The interest at six per cent only tnow much
The ordinary expenses Of our government
For some years the extraordinary expenses '''
Of our army and navy will be......... ITO 900 600
Four hundred and seventy millions TO be raised by
taxatonl Our present heavy taxes will In ordinary
years, produce but little moro than half that sum Can
people bear double their present taxatonf He who
unnecessarily causes will be accursed from generation
TO generation II is fashionable 10 bette public
debt lest the people should become alarmed and polti
cal parties should suffer have found IL wise
deceive the people They always be trusted with the
truth Capitalists viii not be Affected for they cannot
be deceived Connde In the people, and you will avoid
reputation. Deceive them and lead them into false
measures, and you may produce IL
We pity the poor Englshman whose national debt and