The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1865-06-21
Senator Howard on Reconstruction.

II / am asked what mean by the Gov
eminent Of the United States. aud whether
| mean that he Ere -ident as COMMANDMENT
Chief has the exclusive power TO establish
these provisional governments, l answer,
do not lie has the right 10 regulate mil
ltary occupation until Congress has acted
upon the subject; because 10y the usage5 oil
war the victorious general in the field has
right TO regulate il until controlled by his
government at home. But the establish
ment OF provisional governments, the qul-
citing Of the rebelllous province and the
reeslablishment OF legitimate authority
over il, pertains TO the sovereign power
that is the law-giving power OF the nation.
Wan as the pOtcer IS lodged an Congress
and not IN the President; and an my opin-
ion IL is the business OF Congress. and Con-
greSS alone, TO establish and uphold these
provisional governments; TO make proviS-
ion for the reestablisement Of the national
authority and the revival Of State loyalty;
10 make good the guarantee OF q repubh-
can form Of government 10 each lnsurgent
State. In short, not only TO enact laws
but 10 provide for the putting in execution
OF all laws necessary TO carry into erect
the powers granted. And hence hold II
TO be the duly of Congress 10 provide Tor
the pacitication OF the rebel States and
their readmsSiOn into the Union, and not
TO leave this most important and delicate
matter floating in the public mind in the
maze Of doubt and uncertainty between the
supposed claims Of the President and those
of Congress. We need not doubt that
whatever We see lit 10 enact will be APP
proved and carried out by the President.
We cannot be more truly anxious than be
10 fix upon a Stable, firm policy for restOr-
ING peace and union; bat we ought not 10
shut our eyes 10 the necessities he will con-
tinualiy be under, 10 the almost irresistible
opportunities he Will encounter 10 provide
some Sort OF civil government Tor the sub
dued States or districts; or 10 the cOHss-
qucHce Of leartay such mighty questions
JOr h.mSeif 10 decade. 1t Is our plain duty
10 establish i uniform rule OH the subject,
So that all may be treated alike and the
same remedy De applied with n paternal
but firm and resOiute hand 10 each delin-
quent State
ii am asked whether favor the scheme
u allowing ole tenth or any other minor
part OF the male citizens of State 10 or
game Il state government and assume TO
act is a State, answer no; and for two
reasons: lirst because ~ against the will
Of an actual majority the government of
such u minority must necessarily come to
a SPEEDY end and thus invite i renewal OF
the civil war, IN that locality at least; and
second. because government by minority
Is OI evil example ard Inconsistent with the
genius OF American liberty. Whatever may
Deiall, whatever may be the result OF The
present great struggle, We cannot, irs must
not abandon the lyncipie Of cirH gOrerR
DseHt By DqjOrtfy. Ii is The vital princl-
pie Of repubilcanisln. To renOunce il is 10
>toop our uecks 10 the yoke of u oue-man
tNtl my or Il many headed "a individually
irresponsible OligarJhy. On this question
let Us proudly and forever adhere TO the
principles Uf The highest judicial tribunal
VI the nation, announced as from the very
cradle of American iaw-irOm the sacred
QdytUS VI the public laith-that - the great
dis -InctiOn between mOnarchles and repub-
lies tat least our repuOhcsl IN general is
that IN the former the monarch is consid-
cred the sovereign aud each individual Of
his nation ~ subject to him; but II in re-
public All tine ciuZens As such are equal,
aud no citizen can rlgbtIully exercise any
authority over another Out IN virtue OF u
power cOnstiiutIonally given him by the
whole community; aud such authority
whole community which forms such body
polite" and that mankind have long
practised upon the principle that a major
ny shall lind the lrhole" 1 refer 10 the
weighIy words OF Judge lredell, pronounced
in 1875. As a Republican rOthl sooner
hazard ten Shareholders rebeili0,iS Han rtSh,
liberty ia q gOrerisDieJat by q minority.
| DO not, because | cannot, attach too
much Importance 10 this principle. This
Will Of the majority Is the soul OF the Gov
eminent in 4 republic. This is DOstulate
But when We speak OF government 10y
majority we speak VI 4 community made up
Of persons loyal aud faithful 10 il. Traitors
anu aliens are always excluded from The
category. Their hostility or indifference 10
the Government IS universally admitted 10
be a sufficient cause Tor their exclusion.
But where, Is in some OF the rebel States,
there Is an actual majority OF the unfriendly
or where, a IN others, the numbers OF The
friendly and tue unfriendly are 81 evenly
balanced Is 10 leave "A contest between
them VI doubtful result, we are IN fact deal
ing not with = loyal but q hostile communi-
~, and the necessity OF adhering firmly 10
Tie principle becomes still more manifest.
In both clses the prevalence of the VIII Of
the friendly can be secured only by military
force employed 10 Restrain the Will of the
unirendly- such 4 government, if inteu-
ded Is civil government. Is not repubi-
can IN the sen>e Of The Constitution. Ii is
u government, not OF free will. but OF force /
IL Is nOt The Roman senate but Cesar's +
leglOns, that governor. rather Caesars +
sole Will, supported 10y the lances oil his
veterans, that gives The law.
lie. Us adhere WIKI undertaking steadi- 4
being loyal, tho DlujOytty shall gOrera. +
which = the pOle-star principal OF our sys-
TEN between which and dcspOiism, either
OF many hedded-there is bur
ole step. and thai Il short one.
Congress ought. in my opinion, 10 take /
the -ubiect Of readmisslOn INTO their own /
hands Ii is for them and not iJr the Execu-
tive 10 execute the important guarantee 10
each State Of republican government, and
thIs duty presses upon Us more and more ~
our victorious arms advance towards The
close OF hOsIilitles. And in making good
this guarantee Ike 1rsat a.4I indispensable
p. cssSiiy IS loyalty. To establish it. 10 give
IL firm rock on which 10 rest, the Govern
ment must first show TO lis enemies and TO
those vi hesitating loyalty that It's physical ,
power IS as Irresistible as its motives are
Its enemies must learn 10 feel
a respect deep and abiding. for the arrows
II carries in Its culver rs well az for the /
shelter its shield affords. This. IN my
opinion. can be done eiTectualy only by the /
enactment Of u proper statute, which shall I
present uniform inducements and means 10
The people Of the disloyal States TO return |
10 duty. 10 preserve order among them /
selves. and 20 reassume their position among |
the Orbs that circle the centre Of The system. |
Speech ia Senate, FEB. 26, 1865.
~ In Richmond, negro lads and white /
boys in secesh gray, have Confederate notes |
aud bonds for sale at the hotels, and hawk |
both round 10 Northern relic hunters At so |