Cleveland daily leader. [volume] ([Cleveland, Ohio]) 1865-1873, 1866-06-19

Mr.. STEVENS. Mr.. Speaker, We may.
perhaps, congratulate the House and the
country on the near approach tG compile.
ton of a proposition TO be submitted tC
the people for the admission of an out
lawed community into the privileges and
advantages Of a civilized and free Gov.
eminent.
When l say that We should rejoice at
such completion, l do not thereby intend
so much to sEprsss joy at the superior eX-
cellence of the scheme, IS that there is t0
be a scheme-s scheme containing much
positive good, as well, l am bound to ad.
nit, as the omission of many better
things.
In my youth, in my manhood, in my
old age, L had proudly dreamed that when
any fortunate chance should have broken
up for awhile the foundation of our insti-
t%utiOns, and released US from obliGasiens
the most fyrsnnical that ever man i'm
posed in the name of freedom, that tie
intelligent, pure and just men of this Re
public, true TO their professions and their
consciences, would have so remodeled all
our institutions as TO have freed them
from every vestige of human oppression,
of inequality of rights, of the recognized
degradation of the poor, and the superior
caste Of the rich. In short hat no dis
tinction would be tolerated in this puri-
fed Republic but what arose from merit
and conduct. This bright dream has
vanished "like the baselesa fabric of &
vision" l find that we shall be obliged
TO be content with patching up the worst
portions of the ancient edifee, and leav-
ing it, in many of its parts, TO be swept
through by the tempests, the frosts, and
the storms of despotism.
Do you enquire why, holding these
viewsand possessing some will ofmy own,
l accept so imperfect a proposition /
answer, because l live among men and
not among angels among men as intelli-
gent, as determined, and as independent
as myself who, not agreeing with me, do
not choose to yield their opinions TO mine.
resort, or mutual hostilities.
w might we'll have been justified in
making renewed and more strenuous
efforts for 8 better plan could We have had
the cooperation of the Executive. With
his cordial assistance, the rebel States
might have been made model republics,
and this nation an empire of univer-
sal freedom. But he preferred Hrestora-
ton - TO " reconstruction" He chooses
that the slave States should remain
as nearly as possible in their ancient
condition, with such small notifications
as he and his nine ministers should sug-
gest, without any impertinent interfer-
ence from Congress. He anticipated the
legitimate action of the national Legisls-
ture, and by rank usurpation erected gov
ernments in the conquered provinces i'm
posed upon them institutions in the most
arbitrary and unconstitutional manner;
and now maintains them as legitimate
governments, and insOlently demands
that they shall be represented in Con-
gress on equal terms with loyal and regu-
lar States.
To repress this tyranny andst the same
time to do some justice to conquered reb-
els requires caution. The great danger
is that the seceders may soon overwheim
the loyal men in Congress. The haste
urged upon Us by some loyal and impet-
uous men their anxiety TO embrace the
representatives of rebels; their ambition
TO display their dexterity in the use of the
broad mantle of charity; and especially
the danger arising from the INSCRIPTIONS
use Of patronage and from the oily ora
lions Of false prophets, famous for sixty
days obligations and for protested polite
Il promises, admonish US to make no de-
-ay.
Afew words will suffice to explain the
made by the Senate in the prop
which we sent them.
The first section is altered by defining
who are citizens of the United States, and
If the States. This is an excellent amend
nent, long needed to settle conflicting de-
between the several States and the
United States. Itdeclares this great priv
to belong to every person born or
in the United States,
The second section has received but