Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-02-02

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differ about it. We cannot settle it. j
say, aud | am prepared to show by the de-
bates that took plack at that time, that the
same claim was made then which make to-
day. 1t was because it was believed that
that opinion was not assented to by the eX.
trcmc gentlemen who had just then come
into the administration of the Government,
that it was deemed necessary by themselves
to put fotih This declaration confrmatory OF
the absence ofpower on the part Of three
fcurths ofthe States.
But my colleague f'om Ohio, Mr. Ash
ley and the gentleman from Pennsylvanla,
MIR. Stevens. 'and the gentleman from
Vermont, Mr. Morrill, differing on many
particulars agree in this, that the rover OF
their logic is such that no honest man can
dissent from their conclusions, and that
those who do not intend to vote with them
for this amendment are actuated either by
sympathy with slavery or by sympathy with
the rebellion. Sir, | rcpel with indigna-
ton the insinuation | rcpel it with that
honest warmth which is consistent with the
personal respect which those gentlemen
know | feel personally for them | say it
is unworthy Of them that it is unworthy
their high character unworthy of their DO
etion in this House. 1t is the art Of the
demagogue to ascribe unworthy motives to
an act which may in itself be honest.
This Constitution demands the highest
admiration Of my intellect. 1t has received
the profound homage of my heart. The
oath which have taken commands me to
perform that duty which my intellect and
my heart impose upon me and ! intend,
through evil and through good report,
through whatever storm of popular disfavor,
TO stand by it, as | understand it. even to
the end. I love my whole country, North
as well as South and it is because love it
that no act of mine shall retard the rcstora-
ton of peace or the reconstruction Of that
Union which made it all my country. am
a northern man; ] have their prejudices
love my section; love it. people; | love
its institutions; am Jealous Of its honor;
and no act of mine shall stain the luster OF
the fame Of its good faith. am u citizen
of Ohio. 1t is the home Of my fathers, as
it is the home Of my children; and | will
stand by this Constitution because | wish
to preserve forever the rights and dignlties
of my State, and maintain forever the liber-
ties Of its citizens.
am not influenced, therefore, by any
peculiar love for the people Of the South +;
ly any peculiar regard for their Institutions
iSNilil Al''ii' - ~ ~ ~'''''N'N,
have been addressed to u. 1t is nothing
TO me that gentlemen from slayehoIdlng
States approve ihis .amerrdmient; IT Is moth
ing to me that the tlde OF the popular scnti-
ment runs IN Ia'or Oh ~ II Is hoIHlhg 10
me that we oi thG northern states VINO pc
ileye us 90 stand aone, Il alone we must
stand lhtehu 10 90 my uu'E as / uhuer-
stand IT. ana ! am prepared lor 'ie cohae-
quGnces DC What ,hcy may ,,,.
But, Mr.. speaker Al were influenced by
the motives Whlch gentlemen on the othei
side attribute to me, 1t would he easy icr me
to iaIl INTO the current oi pubic opihlol
winch Is carrying theh' SO rapidly away
1t Is because am not not that occupy the po
sitlon i DO to-day, Inc ''ihe Is last passlni
away when under the influence oiyour pollc!
ana your legislation the southern States o
people Will have the least interest IN YOU
laws. Y our legislation has! turned to ashe
the golden fruits oI your military success. -
Your policy has veiihcd the alleged cause
OF secession. Gentlcmeh must not be miSlc