The Norfolk post. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1865-1866, 1866-03-20
Jhe Nurtulk Cost.
TUESDAY. MARCH 20, 1866.
RECoNsTRUoTIoN.

In the Unlteu otaIeS SoenatS, VI rii-
day. MIR. Stewart of Nevada, submitted
a plan of reconstruction, which seems to
have taken all hearts. We copy from
the Senate report: teg n >e5l
Mr.. Stewart introduced the following
| Joint resolution, which was referred 10
| the Joint Committee on Reconstruc-
| ton. ia N ~ - su.i
Whereas, In the present distracted
condition of the country, lit is eminenty
proper and necessary that all just and
constitutional means should be employ
ed for the queting of popular excite
ment, the removal OF unreasonable pre-
judice, and the obliteratiOn of all hostile
feelings growing out of the late unhappy
civil war; and ~ li.e
sources of unfriendly sentiment Is the
conflict of opinion, existing on tie sub
ject of negro suffrage; and .,.o,l
Whereas, tits now most evident tnat
there is no probability whatever that
Senators and Representatives in Con-
press from the states whose people were
lately In instruction will be allowed to
occupy the seats to which they have
been electadl, until such states shall have
complied with certain fundamental con-
ditions portion of which are hereinaf-
ter reciteu; anu so --
the re. establish .nent of harmony and
good feeling as long as the eleven south
erp states, whose people were recently
in insurrection, are prevented from ie-
suminq their ancient relations to this
Government; therefore, belt
Resolved, &c., First: That each OF
said states, whose people were lately in
Instruction, as aforesaid, shall be recog-
nized as having fully and validity re-
sumed its former relations with this
r Government, and its chosen representa-
| lives shall be admitted in the two Houses
!. OF the National Legislature, whenever
said state shall have amended Its Consti-
tuition as to do away all existing
distinctions as to civil rights and disa-
bilities among the various classes OF its
population by reason either of race, or
color, or previous condition of servitude.
Second: To repudiate all pecuniary
Indebtedness which said state may have
heretofore contracted, incurred or az
sumed with the late unnatural aud trea-
! sonable war. l4
Third: To yield all claim to compen
sation on account OF the liberation oi it'
slaves; and
/ Fourth To provide for the extension
of the elective franchise to all person:
r upon the same terms aud conditions
I making no discrimination on account o
race, color, or previous condition o
seryitude; provided, that those whe
were qualified to vote in the year 1860 By
:, the laws of their respective states, shall
not be DISTINGUISHED by reason OF an
,e new test or conditiOnswhich have beef
r. or NAV be prescribed since that year.
re Resolved, That after the aforesaid
~ conditions have been complied with
,s and the same shall have been ratified b.
= majority of the present voting popnla
y ton of the state, including all thos
ID qualified to vote under the laws thereo
g as they existed in $780, a general am
Il peety shall be proclaimed in regard t
&C all persons in such state who were j
as any way connected with armed opposi
ton to the Government of the Unite
States, wholly exOnerating them froI
all pains, penalties or disabilities
which they may have become liable b
reason of connection with the rebe
lion. :,
Resolved, That in view of the tho
ouph assimilation of the basis of suffrae
Of in the Union, all other states not abo,
m specified shall be respectfully requisite
o onn to incorporate an amendment in the
State Constitutions corresponding wit
the one specified.
~ Resolved, That in the adoption of u
aforesaid resolutions, it is not intende
70 to assert coersive power on the part
a Congress in regard to the regulation
for the right of suffrage in the differei
J: states Of the Union, but only to make
respectful and earnest appeal 10 the
in own good sense and love of country vii
view to the prevention of serious eyi
, our | now threatened and to the peaceful pc
re- petuation of the repose, the happine
hey and the true glory of the whole Anne
rte, lean people.
my Mr.. Stewart in offering the abo
~" made brief explanation. He said
had been a careful observer of the CT
3. rent of events since Congress asssei
BLEED, and he had come to the conclusi
that the proposition he had submit
corresponds with the prevailing sen
NTH nIent in Congress- and also in the cotl
try. as indicated in the public press.
amt hns offered this without expressing any OPT
re- ion as to the propriety or improperly
, va negro suffrage, which he had studious
1 for avoided on all occasions here1W
,tien Mr.. Pomeroy asked Mr.. Stewart IL
t;xon. had not once said something about
1, it being a white mans Government?
bovs Mr.. Stewart replied that he had OF
stated the fact of this being VIII
ct. mans Government was not TO be scot
at or disregarded he still said so. \
urcb. Stewart continued his remarks on
ia o. resolution he had submitted, believi
his proposition to contain the PREVAIL
Icrtn sentiment of the country. He thous
com. it but fair and just that the b
ured terms Congress was willing to e
sho uld be submitted to the South for
pedia people of that section to adopt or rejt
Phil This proposition, he said, avoids all
,pt,st odious provisions attached to other \
positions, which appear like coercion,
Penn also avoids the long roll provided
'urcb some proportions in the nature of c
stitutionai amendments, which must
their contested upon Northern battle-f ie
before the South can have an oppo
nifty to be heard upon it. This Is
only proposition upon which the So
can be heard. Mr.. Stewart said
did not pretend to be welded
ison the particular provisions of what
had submitted, but he endorsed the z
epsr.. eral proposition. He wanted the So
;, and to have an opportunity to vote upon
when they refuse that will be 4
enough to consider other propositit
but until they do refuse, he thought
lust to take from them the right to
eide for themselves. He would st
furthermore, in presenting this prop
q ton, that he found it TO be in acc
4 - a. I~kA a. N