New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-09-11
RECONsTRUCTION.
speech OF tho Hon. Thnddens sfe'eus-
Southern Lnnds TO Pay the National
Debi-Thc souIh "a Conquered Terri
tory-The Crime OF Treason" Res
,orat;ou the Seed Of Rebellion.

The Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, Member 81
Conrre. from Pennsylvania, delivered speech IL
Lancaster. Pa, September G. on the policy OF Recon
truetion from which We make the following extracts
The SOUTH THREW OFF IFS ALLEGIANCE.
-Four years Of bloody and cxponsye war. waged
against The nited States 10y IL States under Govern
inent called the Confederate Stntes OF America, IL
which they acknowledged allegiance have oyerthroWn
al Governments within those States which coud De ac
knowledged as legitimate by the Union. The armies o
the Confederate States having been conquered aud SUD
dned and their territory possessed by the United states
il becomes necessary 10 establish Governments there
which shall he republican In form ana principles, ana
form more perfect Union with the parent GOYern'
mcn /: is desirable that such course should be pur
sped as 10 exclude from those Governments every yes
ige Of human bondage, and render the same forever
mpo sbe in this nations and 10 take care thht no prn
cTcs OF sefdesiruction shall be incorporated therein
I'm eecng this il is TO be hoped that no provision OF
the Constitution viii be nTiDg o. ana no pilhepe OF
the law OF nations disreearded. Especially must We
take care that in rebuking this unjust ana tredsonhbe
war the authorities Of the Union shall indulge IN no
acts OF usurpation which may tend to mpar the stab
ity and permanently Of toe nation. Within these mita'
tions we hold il 10 be the duty Of The Government 10
inAct condi IN punishment the Rebel belgerents,
and 20 weaken their hands that they never again
endanger the Union; and reform their municipal in.
sttutons as make them republican IN spirit &c wei
as in name.
! WHAT SHOULD BIZ DONE WITH TIE SOUTH
We especially insist that the property OF the chief
Rebels should be seized and appropriated 10 the pay
ment Of the National debt, caused by the unjust and
wicked war which they instlgaied.
How can such punlshmcnts be inflicted and such tof.
FIXTURES produced without doing violence 10 established
Ipriuciplos'
Two positions have been suggested.
Firs-o treat those States rs never having been ont
of the Union because the Constitution forbds secession,
and therefore fact forbidden by law could not exist
Sec0Hd-IO accept the position IN which lhcy placed
themselves as severed from the Union an independent
Government de fac'o and alien enemy TO be dealt
with according 10 the laws OF war;
THE CRIME OF TREASON.
The crime Of treason can be committed only where
the person Il actually potentially present. Jefferson
Davis sitting in Richmond. counseng, or advising, or
commanding inroad into Pennsylvania, has commit
ted no overt In this State end can be tired II any.
where only the Richmond district The doctrine OF
constructive presence and constructive treason VIII
never hope poac our statutes OF judicial decisions
select impartial jury from Virginia md u Is ob'i-
Gus that conviction could ever be had Possibly a
ury might be packed 10 convict but that would not be
an Impartial" Jury. II would be judicial murder and
would rank In iuiamy with the trial Of Lord kussoll
except only that the one was The maIaer Oh an innocent
man, the other If a traitor. The sane difficulties
would exist in attempting iorfeitures. which can only
follow conviction IN States protected by the Consitu
ton; and then II j. said only for me ne OF the maIeilc
tor Congress can pass no bill ~ aitainder.'
now 10 Begin REcoSsTRUCTIoS.
What right has any one 10 direct convention TO BE
held in Il sovereign state Of tbs Union to amend its
Constitution and prescribe the qualifications of voters
rress Yet whore is the warrant IN the Constitution
f0r such sovereign power much less the Executive TO
lutgIMedie Win the NhiufallC ul ptdt'
mold It's laws and regulate the elective franchise
II would be rank dangerous and dcplordble usuIpnton
In reconstruction therefore 10 reform can be effected
ia the Southern States II they have never len the Union
Iut reformation mus, Ie effected; the foundation OF
ther institutions both political, municipal and social
p1lr be broken up aud Ttiaid or all our blood aud
treasure have been spent in vain. This can only be
done by treating and holding them as conquered
people Then all things which We can desire 10 10
follow with logical ana legitimate authority As con
0uor.l territory Congress would have full power to
ceate FOR them; FOR the territories are not under the
Constitution except far a. the express power 10
govern them is given 10 Congress. They would De held
In territorial condition until they are it 10 form state
Constitutions republican in fact not in form only, ana
ask admission into the Union new States. III Con.
gress approve of their Constitutions aud think they
hive done works meet for repentance. theY wOnd
be admitted as new States II their C0nsitu
lions are not approved Of they would be sent back.
until they have become wise enough 10 purge their
old laws ar 20 eradicate every dcspOiic ana revolution
airy prncpe-nnt they shall have learned to yencraie
the Declaration OF Independence. DO rot touch on
the question Of negro suffrage. II IN the Union the
States have long ago regulated nat and for the Central
Government TO interfere with il would be mlscheyous
mpcrtinence II they TO be admitted as new states
they must form their own Constitution ana no enabling
act could dictate its terms. Congress could prescribe
the qualifications Of voters while Territory or Nheh
proceeding to call Convention to form state Coy
eminent That is the extent OF tho power Of Congress
over the elective franchise, whether IN Territorial or
State condition. The President has not even TINS or
any other power 10 NEEDLE in the subject except by
advice Congressional they on Territories. Congress.
be sure has some sort OF compulsory power by re-
asng the States admission until they shall have com
Piled with lit wishes over tlis subject WLeIbr those