The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-05-17

lie opinion. While he deemed tho proyi.
sion in regard TO representation equiia.
bic, he did not think it important, In
his judgment it was OF no consequence
whether the late Rebel States had ff-
iy or fifty eight Representatives in the
ilouse. The Southern people were
go'erned by force. Their philosophy
was force; their practice was force, and
their tradition was force. Whether
few Or many, they would have the
power whenever they were restored.-
While, therefore, he agreed cheerfully
to the proposition, both ir purpose and
.phraseoIogy, it did not seem to meet
the question at issue. lie approved of
the proposition TO disfranchsc enemies
OF the country. He thought it right
in priaciple, and necessary at this
time lie did not care much whether the
extension Of franchise to the negro was
coupled with it, although he was not
in favor Of it. lie had no difficulty
in regard TO the supposed unfairness
Of DISTINGUISHING disIoyal men who had
come within the terms of the Amnesty
Proclamation, for he held in all procla.
nations and military conferences the
idea Of restoring political rights was
carefully guarded against He did
not agree with the gentleman from 0.
hio, (Mr. Garfield. J as to the impracti-
cabillty Of enforcing disfranchisement,
nor did not apprchcnd rejection Of the
proposed amendment.
Thus far and no further there were
twenty-five States represented in the
House, and two more would give the
number requisite 70 adopt the Consti-
.tlCnal Amen lment. He believes that
Tennessee and Kansas would ratifv,
and that would give the requisite mum.
Der Of votes II the amendment was
! to be defeated at all, it would be
| by Republican or Democratic States.
1t would not bc defeated by any of the
insurgcnt States. It was not true that
nine.tenths or any such large proper.
ton Of the Southern people we're enc.
.nIes to the Government. The com.
mon people Of the South would ulti.
matcIy be found among th: trucst and
bes' friends of the Government.
He thought that Switzerland, the
wiscst govcrnmentof earth, had given
good lesson on this subject. That
government lad encountered. in l849.
difficulties si:?iar 10 those which this
government had encountered. Switz-
IerIand suppressed the rebellion, and
organized governments in the rebel
lions cantons, as Mr.. Lincoln had un-
dertaken to organize IN the Southern
States 1t maintained power in the
hands Of its friends, and disfranchised
its enemies, until after some time it
permitted its recreant sons to resume
their political rights, From that pol
! icy Switzerland was as sound and safe
il government as any on the continent
Of Europe.
The descent Of the Speaker gavel
here. announced the termination ofthe
half hour allowed to each member for
discussion.
The debate was continued by Messrs.
Ecllley and Beaman in support of the
measure, and Mr. Rogers against it.
Mr.. Bcaman while supporting tho
ntresolution, expressed the hope that
it would be amended by striking out the
sixth section, TO which he had serious
objections.
Mr.. Rogers congratulated himself
he was fortified in the position he took
by one who held the reins of power
in the Presidential Chair, and declared
/ if he was citizen Of a Southern State
lie would vote to give colored people
every right except the right of inter
marriage with whites, and the right to
vote at the ballot box. -.
Mr.. Farnsworth was the next speak
er. He expressed his intention to vote
for the Joint resolution, as reported.
with the exception ofthe third section.
The measure was not all he wished,
nor all the country expected but it was
not becoming a legislator to oppose
some good becaGse lie could not have
all the good he wished. Instead of the
third section, he was in favor Of hay-
ing an article in the Constitution for
ever disqualilying all leading rebels
from holding any Office under the
United States Government, thus max
ing treason odious and traitors infa-
nous. ..
Mr.. Dawes, of Massachusetts,, de-
cIarcl that with the exception of the
third section of the resolution he gavo
the measure his hearty approval but
even if he could not get that section
excluded, be should still vote for it
| But he desired. particularly, TO call tho
attention of the House to the fact that
there was no provision made, by law
or the Constitution, by which qucs-
ton rs to votes for the President and
a Vi:o- President could be decided. The
Constitution provided that the Presi-
dent ofthc Senate shall, in the presence
of the Senate and House of Represen.
tatives, open all the certificates and
the votes should then be counted.-
But who should decide the votes if there
was Il dispute? Who should decide
whether the votes had been cast by
men who were not entitled 10 vote?
There was no tribunal as yet erect.
. ed to determine that fact Chancellor
Kent had seen in it possibility of
great danger to the country. The
danger had shown itself on the occa-
sion of counting the votes for Presi-
dent when Mr. Buchanan was elected,
the State of Wisconsin not having cast
its electoral vote. on the day prescri-