The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1865-11-02

The speech of Gen. Blair occupies four
solid columns, of small type, in the Repub
iicdn, and is full Of interest We can Only
spare room for the following extract from il,
in relation to the infamous Missouri constitu-
ton;
say that man who supports that con-
stitution can support the presidents policy.
Applause lie cannot give his support
honestly to both. Applause. Now. my
friends, what is the policy of Andrew john
son? Ii Is the policy of c!emeUcy, of forgive
ness. Ii is the policy marked by these grand
features of amnesty and of Oblivion to past
offences. Asking oul that those who have
heretofore committed these hOstlities to the
government may by oath declare themselves
anew and renew their allegiance TO this gov
eminent, and thus restoring 10 them a fran
chiss IL their misunderstanding them their
propsrty-restoring to them all their civil
and religious rights applause restoring
them almost at one swoop-the entire people
of the south with some named exceptions
and requiring only from the exceptions that
they shall sue for pardon IN order to obtain
ii. | say that this amoGnts to q general am-
nesty and forgiveness of the past, restitution
of property and of all civil rights under the
constitution, giving. then to these people as
they stood before the war. the right to regu-
late aud govern themselves [applausel, and
the authority and power to declare who shall
be entitled to suffrage in their states ap-
plause |. Us in all other states. | say that is
the policy marked by this grand feature of
craftsmanship, and of benevolence and mag
nauimity. Now look at the constitution
made by Drake. Laughter 1t disfran-
chises every man who by thought. or by
deed has favored this rebellion. liz dispOs-
sesses them of every right, civil or religious.
1t strips them naked and turns them out
helpless and deprives them of the right 10
labor In any honest avOcation for o livelihood.
il takes away from them the means of sub
sistence, and when they have come to the
door of starvation, as they necessarily will if
they not allowed to exert themselves and
their faculties in procuring an honest living
for themselves and their families aud when
they are az deaths door II takes away from
them even the consultations Of religion. How
can any man be in favor of Mr.. Johnson's
policy of reconstruction and also In favor of
the Drake Constitution ? Voices-"He can't
do it" p. --
The people of Mississippi have elected a
general-an officer who served in the confed-
crate service. and who distinguished himself
for governor of that state, and the instant
it was announced in Washington that be had
been elected by the public TO the Office of
governor of that state, the president dis
patched him pardon by telegraph in order
that he might enter upon the duties of his
Office. LGreat applause. Nox q man who
has dreamed Of giving assistance to this re-
bellion is disfranchised forever under the
constitution made by Mr.. Drake and his |
cOmpeers. The two policies are as much OPP !
posed to each other as daylight and darkness, |
hell is from heaven. Applause. The |
one policy is marked by every attribute of |
goodness which likens it to heaven. and the |
other is known by the mark of the devil, and 1
comes from hell itself. Applause]
Gentlemen. the policy of the president is
based upon wisdom. aud also upon justice.
Ii 10 based upon wisdom, because if you un.
dsrtske to give the right Of suffrage to the