New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-16
SPEECH OF THE ION. THADDEUs STEVENS or PENNsYL-
VANIA on THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN
THE UOUST OF REPRE- INITIATIVES. JUNE 49,

SPEECH OF THE HON THADDEUs STEVENS or PsNNsYI-
WANNA on THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IN
THE HOUSE OF REPRE- INITIATIVES, JUNE H.
MI STEvENs-Air Speaker, we may perhaps congrat-
uate the House and the country on the near approach 10
completion OF proposition to e submitted to the people
for the admission Of an ouawcd community into the
privileges and advantages OF civilized aud free Govern
ment When say that We should rejoice at such compile
ton do not thereby intend so much to express JOY az Inc
superior excellence of the scheme, that there Is 10 t
scheme-a scheme containing much positive good as wc,
am bound to admit. the omission OF many better
things: In my youth, in my manhood IN my ola age,
! had proudly dreamed that. when any fortunate
chance should have broken up Io1 while the
foundation of institutions, and released US
from obligations the most tyrannlcsl that ever
man imposed in the name Of freedom, that the intelligent
pure and Just men of this Republic, true TO their pros-
sons and their conscences would have so emodeed All
our institutions TO have freed them fom every vcsiSc
of human oppression, OF inequality OF nghi-, oi INC
recognized degradation OF the poor and the superior caste
of the rich-in short that distinction would be tolerated
in this purified Republic but what arose rom et ana
conduct. This bright dream has vanished nike The
baseless fabric Of vision find that we shall be obliged
TO be content with patching up the worst onOhs Oh te
ancient edice and leaving H. in many Of Its parts 10 be
swept through by the temess the osts and the storms
Of despotism. DO you inquire Why ho'dhg theSe views
and possessing some will OF my own accept so imperfect
a propagation | answer, because 1.-Two among men, and
not among angcs-among as INTEL gent, ms defer
mined and Independent as myself who, not agreeing
with me- do not choose to yield their OPINIONS 70 NINE;
Mutual concession therefore, Is only resort or mutual
hostiities We might well have been justified N making
renewed and efforts for better plan could
we haze had the cO0peratOu OF the Executive With his
cordial assistance the Rebel States might have been made
model Republics and this Nation empire OF universal
freedom But he preferred restomon 20 "reeonstruc-
ton He chose that the slave states should remain as
nearly as possible 10 their ancient condition. with such
small notifications he ard his nine ministers should
suggest without any mpertinent interference rom Con-
gess He anticipated the legitimate action Of International
legislature and by rank usurpa0n erected governments
in the conquered Provinces imposed upon them ihsu
tio-s IN the most arbitrary and unconstitutional manner
aud now maintains them As Legitimate governments ana
iusOlentY demands that they SHALL be represented IN Cen
gress Oh equal terms with loyal aud regular States. 10
repress this tyranny and a .ho same Tine 70 90 justice %
conquered Rebels requires caution Inc great DANGER !"
that the seceders may soon ovefWLs inc oya, men ~
Congress The haste urger upon W by some ioyA pu'
petuous men; their anxiety 10 embrace tho Representa-
tves of Rebels their ambition 20 display their dexey
in the use oil the broad mantle OF charity and especially
the danger arng from the inscriptions Of patronage
and from the oily OratOns OF false popLet famous iOI g
day obligations and for protested political promises, adj
monish US 70 make no further delay. iew WOtIs
Will suffice to explain the changes made W tAe
Senate IN the proposition which We sent tlen'
The frat sections altered BY defining who arc citizens
of he United States and Of the States. This il an excel
lent amendment, long needed 20 sete cOldctllg de-
csons between the several States and tie United STATES
Ii declares this privilege 20 belong - every person
horn or naturazed in the United states The second sec
ton has received but slight alterations. VISA u had
received more II contains much less power thah e0ul
wish il has not half the vsor Of TIE amendment when
was lost in the Senate. 1t the proposition offered by
Senator Wade would have worked the eniranchement oil
the coloed in half the time The third section has
been wholly changed by substituting the inegDy OF
certain high offenders for tie dsiraIchiemeut OF all
Rebels until 1870 This cannot look upon as an i'm
provement. IL opens the elective franchise 10 nch rs e
States choose to admit In ny Judgment IT endanges the
Government of tho country both state and National ana
NAV give the next Congress and President to the recon-
strnced Rebels With their enlarged basis Of representa-
ton and exclusion Of the loyal men OF color from the
ballobox / see no hope Of safety unless IN the pescrp
ton of proper enabling acts which shall do justice TO the
freedmen and enOiu enfranchisemcnt az condtonpreee
dent The fourth section which renders public
debt and repudiaes the Rebel debit will secure the appr
baton of ali but traitors. The fifth section unalteed
You perceive that while much good in the propo-
sition do not pretend TO be satisfied with IT, Ana ye
am anxious for It's speedy adoption for dread delay Inc
danger is that before any constitutional guards shall nave
been adopted Congress will be flooded by Rebels and
Rebel svnpathizers. Whoever has mingled much IN de-.
Lucrative bodies must have observed the mental as well
as physical nervousness Of many members, mpenlng
them too often 20 njudcious action. whoever has
watched the feelings Of this House during the tedious
months of this session. listened 10 the impatient whisper
ing of some and the open declarations Of Others especially
when such able and sincere the gentleman from
Ohio propose crafty personal predictions by breaking
the ranks of the Union forces and presenting to the enemy
ragged front Of tTaggers must be anxious to hasten tne
result and prevent the Generalization Of our friends.
Hence saw let MS longer delay; take what We can
get now and hope for better things IN further
iu enabling acts other provisions now, sly ASK Tor
the question.