New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-25
XXXIXTH CONGRESS.
FIRST SESSION.
SENATE. 900. WASHINGTON, May "a, 1850.

SENATE. WASHINGTON. May a. 1850.
AFFAIRS AT STANTON, VA.
Mr. TRUMBUIL asked leave TO withdraw from the files
Of the Senate the petition Of citizens Of Staunton, Va
praying for military protection TO loyal PERSONS He had
received letter he SAID from Staunton, informing him
that the names OF the signers Of this petition had been
procured for the purpose of persecution by Rebels Many
who signed the petition had since been terrified into pub
sbn. Ieracons, and others being prosecuted and
accused having forged he OF the sigIcrs to the
petition. II was desired let the petition be with
drawn to exempt certain citizens from the accusations Of
forgery.
The petition was Withdrawn
NATIONAL BANKS IN WASHINGTON.
Mr. WILSON offered The following
ResOlred the Committee Finance be instructed 10
inquire INTO and report upon The condition Of TIE National
Backs the CITY Of Washington IN the following particulars
FIRST what amounts OF Government inds have been de
posted said National Bank, any Of them IN the last
TIVE We monis; eon o Th'm ana under wnat au' 9r,y
II any has been allowed ucn deposits and TO whom
payments Of terest directly indirect have been made
At the suggestion of Mr. JOHNSON, Mr. Wilson modified
his resolution By striking ont the words in Washington
City, to make il applicable TO all National banks
Mr. FEssESDEN said if the inquiry ordered II ought
10 be made by special committee
MI WLsoS accepted the suggestion Of VI. Fesscndcn
committee be appointed and the resolution agreed
TO-
TRIAL OF DAVIS.
Mr. SUMNER presented the petition Of an officer OF the
Veteran Reserve Corps for the trial Of Jefferson Davis 10y
Military Commission, which referred TO the Military
CANDIDATES FOR WEST POINT.
the qualifications applicants for admission 10 the West
Point Academy. IL denies admission TO al VINO have
taken part the Rebellion and provides that candidates
shall be between IL and y years of age Those who have
served in the army shall be admissible up to the age
ofai
Mr. ANTHoYY offered an amendment that in the appoint
mens from Congressional Districts the person authorized
TO make nominations shall nominate not less than i've
candidates from which selection shall be made by COM
pctitye animation This shall not apply 10 appoint
incnts at large by the President
Mr. NEsMITH offered an amendment that hereafter the
Superintendent Of West Point may be selected from any
corps the army instead OF at present from the En
necr Corps exclusively.
THE RECONSTRUCTION RESOLVES.
Pending discussion on the above the morning hour cx-
pred and the reconstruction resolutions taken up
Mr. STEWART took the floor lie said that IN the con-
ct Of opinion upon questions Of expedeney NE only
safe course do night that there was little difference
Of opinion upon the fundamental theories OF our Govern
mcu that al men equally entitled 10 life, liberty and
the pursuit Of happiness; that the objection 10 the Pres
dents plan of reconstruction its failure 10 realize the
fond hopes Of the American people that four millions Of
citizens whose only Oensc is fidelity 10 the Government
should possess these naenabe nights and be added 10 the
strength Of the Union in support Of IL integrity and the
financial burdens Of the and that his plan failed TO
furnish any security against the unlimited sway Of the
Rebels in their local State Governments with an increased
representation in Congress of the ds0ya element of the
Rebellion Yet he would admit that II was better than no
plan and that he slow condemn it unless and until
he could improve it, An improvement Of the Presidents
plan involved cure not aggayation of the evils com
planned OF. General amnesty and impartial suffrage were
The only obvious remedies These were Endorsed by
Justice and humanity but opposed by prejudice and
passion Those who had assailed him Stewart for
the advocacy of the resolutions be had offered, had
failed to find Argument To rcfutc the correct
ness Of the proposition. II his lScwartsl views
had been modified by the progress of events lie had but
followed the maxim of Mr.. Lincoln 10 adopt new views
whenever they appeared TO be true views aud be could
secure the support Of those only who had changed their
opinions by the constant development OF new facts Tor the
last six wears be was sure Of the success Of his PROPOSE
ton The trouble that attempted 70 apply
old theories 10 facts; the theories OF Slavery to
condition OF freedom His only hope Of return TO correct
principles the manifest danger Of doing wrong. Lead
ing minds Of the nation and the voice of the loyal press
had from the beginning expressed willingness to settle
difficulties by adopting universal amnesty and impartial
suffrage. The splritof Mr.. Lincoln which proclaimed NAL
ice toward none but charity for ALL animated the loyal
North and resolved the contest into demand for justice
and mercy Mr. Stewart conended that the people should
he trusted that any other theory in conflict with
Democratic principles; that the blacks were among
u.s. ana must have the ballot for self-protection
/ determination as Pedlcted by their late
masters that with the ballot they would have plenty
of friends politicians loving votes more than they
hate negroes that Civil Rights bills and Freedmens BIZ
reaus could only be made ecetua by the power of
the nation and involved military despotsm If carried to
the extent required for projections that the ballot
eprotectDg and selfsustaning and IN harmony with
the principle that dsfancsement OF the Rebels involved
military despousm. yielding 10 sentiment OF vengeance
against the Rebels by dsTanchisement ana OF hate to-
ward the negro by depnying him Of the ballot was utterly
destructive Of free government in the South somebody
must vote and selected classes to vote and rejected
until everybody satisfied there would be few left IN
the enjoyment of the franchise The Government would
be a
conflict could cease without extension OF suffrage
10 the blacks and civil and political rights 10 the late
Rebels When Justice was done and mercy extended, the
evils of the past might be buried in oblivion and crnna
ton and recrimnaon in the bright hope OF future
and prosperity Heinsstcd that none who now are
titled 10 vote are DISTINGUISHED that those hereafter to vote
shall be subject TO the same intellectual moral and property
qualifications; that no possible harm could result to the
country but on the contrary would change the base and
strengthen the foundations of institutions ana prepare
them for the grand supestructuTe OF human freedom de-
signed by our fathers 1t hard TO disianShise the
Rebels and in their struggle to achieve the paiot they
would have the sympathy Of republicans throughout inc
world but in an effort TO cnirancise the bacK man. the
syInpahes of mankind would sustain those ehHhgeo III
the good work Congress had already committed me mon
party TO negro suffrage and the attempt TO deny II would
be issue followed by certain defeat Inc DehocIacy
did argue against suffrage, but assumed II 10 pe sea
crime and charged il the Union party: Inc ehafge
true and could be proved. II was idle 10 deny H.
There choice but TO confess that Impartial suffrage
Is part Of creed and justified before the people &
the Democracy say they WILL that Union soldier sha
be dsranchised Rebel soldier cnfranchsed that he VINO
fed Union prisoners shall not vote but that he who starved
them shall that friends shall be punished and our enc
mics rewarded And let them contend for disraDchse
meni and punishment Of Rebels if they dare, when We
proposed amnesty for justice Mr. Stewart Endorsed the
address OF the Republic Of Switzerland TO the Congress OF
the United States, and appealed TO Congress 10
finish the work hsrAip recommended. lie SAID