The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-07-10


very mach indisnossdt6 itommt u sabj ect
to disloyal hands, but insists that the only
safe and sensible plan is for the loyal party,
who saved the Union in spite Of Rebels and
sympathizers, to fix the terms upon which
traitors shall be restored to voice in the
Government, e
Let us, after going so far with the question,
see what plan we would suggest for the pur-
pose of restoring the relations between these
States and the General Government. This
question of restoration, although it should not
have done so, has taken somewhat of polit-
ical character. We find the rebels, and those
who sympathize with them, as was the case
during the war; on one side, and the loyal
and true men on the other. 1t resolves itself
into this: whether the people OF this country
will commit this question OF full and complete
restoration of the relations of the rebel
States to the Union, into loyal or disoyal
hands, Inasmuch, however, as we must live
together, and be governed by The same rules
and laws. am for the most liberal policy
consistent with the peace, harmony and dig
nifty of the country, that can be adopted.
Believing, as / do, that the local Governments
in the rebel States were destroyed or over
thrown by the act of the rebellion. and that
Congress had right to restore the citizens
thereof as much rights as they deemed proper
and authorize restoration of the State or
ganization by the people thereof, or accept
those already organized BY the Executive,
under and by virtue Of the military authority,
and as they have seen fiji to accep, the organ
ization authorized by the Executive Depart
ment of the Government, in my Judgment the
most liberal course that could be asked by
any one has been adopted 1t seems to me
but one thing more remains to be done to res
store entirely the relations between the PED
pie of those STATES and the National Govern
ment and that is, to demand and secure such
guarantees for the future safety aud peace Of
the country us will certainly put US on a safe
and sure foundation for all time to come.
These guarantees snoald De In Tue snare Of
amendments 10 the Consultation, as conditions
precedent TO the full restoration OF the poit-
teal relations between the PEOPLE OF the States
lately in rebellion and the National Govern
ment | find 10 meet this view, the Congress
Of the United States. by two thirds vote OF
both Houses, has presented anew article con-
tanning FIVE sections as an amendment TO the
Federal Constitution, tc he ratified ly tue
stasss. Gnich, after careful examination.
seems tn me TO be so fair. so liberal, and 80
much demanded by the exigency OF the
times. and with all my feelings leaning
mach more liberal than myself would have
proposed, TINT | was perfectly asicnished
when examined the vote and found every
s'pemocrat' or "Copperhead had voted
against it. ! could not understand 1t. and
now can only account for it upon the theory
that they dla net want alexander H. Ste
pleas. the Vice President OF the Southern
Coniederacy, and his brother traitors, TO be
prohibited from holding Office, and that they
did not want pensions paid 10 Union soldiers
unless the same course was adopted with re.
gard TO rebel soldiers Ii this was mol their
objection. | fail to understand it. a. two OF
the leading features in the az eles are the
prohibition Of such rebels as Stephens from
boiling Office, ard the rsya.eat o. the puptIc
lebl. including pensions and boaniies to TN
ion soldiers.
We are told by some people. by endorsing
this YOU endorse something INDUSTRIOUS: you
are rukefing with the old Constitution. with
the charter of our liberty doing something
you ought not 10 do. Rebels themselves come
M and say this. Laughter would ike
to know Of ans gentleman here what more
unparalleled ilrpneerte tpefe could be IN the
.suq, tlau for 8 traitor TO lecture You or me
about the Constitution Of the United States.
EApplause, Men who have attempted for
four years by bloody war to destroy the
ter You will think this is a good Joke! 1t
is a beautiful idea Aud we find men in this
land, and plenty Of them, who advocate the
same doctrine. The say yoa must lot amend
tie Constitution. Oh. no Why must you
not aaend the Constitution Why, you have
the same right to amend the Constitution as
you have to amend the statute law of the
land If it needs amending-the same right,
precisely. 1t belongs to the people Of this
Government, and they have right to alter or
change II in any particular. 1t II be wrong
or if il fail in any particular. you have right
to amend il. The Constitution never eoateri
plated rebellion like this, hence there IS a
necessity now for the amendment of that in
strsment.
find. by examination. this amendment that
the Congress OF the United States has prepar
ed, Injuries nobody. and hurts nobody. | see
that by looking a; its clauses-at least no 10y
al man--bnt they except few traitors. and
don't allow them just the same privileges az
they allow yoa and /. They don't give JEFF
Davis and Alexander StepIens the same rights
as tney ALLOW me, or the same as they allow
You Rather, or the same they allow the
private soldier or the loyal citizen. ! want 70
ask ynu as citizens al Cairo II you want 10
see LEFT Dayi; and the leading TRAITORS placed
ON the snine taotiag in reference to rights and
diers who fought your battles, aud as you and
| stand upon " OF %. yonr hearts are
nsi with species Of kindness that have
never heel sbie To end lingering in the leas,
particle in mine. fGreat applause | was
in this war, and d,n't think dIsgraced my
sell. although did hat my du.y; but what
did. ! did on the site OF my country, and
say it is the part d my country TO make a
proper Us inc:ion between the men who fought
with me. and tlosefrators we fought against
II is due to US ID Distinguish between Legally
md treason. Applasse.J don't want thai
sind OF equality. | will never be satisfied |
the people of this landhstablish it. OF course
It makes no difference am satisfied or not
bat ii can only satisfy few that stayed a
home and opposed usall the time, and whs
now say they conquered the rebellion
lLaughterl They say we have destroyed trea
son in this country. ! suppose ii you wish
inst merely to satisfy and crafty the ambition
and desires OF few OF III class q politicians
IN this land, you would place jelf. Davis ane
Gil the rest Of Us on unequal footing but
hope for the honor and lredit oithe American
people, that no snch degrace will ever APP
pear upon our statute books. Great Ap-
pause.]
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