The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-02-15
- SPEECH OF
Hon. Thomas N. Stilweu
In the House of Representatives, on
Recons tTuction.


Reconstruction.
MR.. STILwELL. S Mr.. Chairman. from The l4sh
day OF April, ISL when the naereaH hss as fred
at Fort Sumter, until the surrender Of GeoerAi
Lee ssd hrs whoi- army 20 Genersi Grant, April :,
1855 people Of eleven Of the States OF tbs mon
were In armed rcbelson against the National Gosern-
menE.
u was the proclaimed object # these people TO cut
the threads Of national life, and sever the bonds OF
political Union.
Ii was the proclaimed object Of TIE national Gov
maintain rishttu authority over these
States execute is laws and protect It's hsg over
and punish rebellion fragrant crime and 10 bring
back the deludrd Union which fer nearly
eighty had spread them lie mantle OF peace
and prosperitr
Tha, the public mind nigh: be clearly informed o:
the issue involved that might enter the army
either side under misappr-benslan that when the
battle was ended. and peace again restored, there
should b doubt oavl regard to the objects Of
tae VAR Congress speaking IN the name OF the na'on
passed, the 23d Of July, 1851 by a nearly uBan
vote. the following resolution:
That this var Is not prosecuted upon part in
spirit of oppression nor tor any purpose OF con-
quest sablugste purpose of overthrowl0g er
Interfering with established institutions of
those States, but to defend and maintain the supFem
scy Of the Constitution and all laws made IN pursu-
auce thereof and tn preserve the MON with all the
dignity equality. and rights Of the several States
impaired that as soon as these objects ara accem-
plIshed the war ought TO cease.
ITS OBLIGATIONS.
There is not in the whole history of legislation an
act Of greater soemnty. or contract more binding.
Am wrong IN calling IL contract? Did It not
pledge the national faith To every one IN arms that
when he should captuate, the rights of his State
and lfgovernment should be preserved 10 mis- chill
drea and kindred. even tn ugh he might suffer the
penalties of the law
Did il not pledge the national faith to every Union
in the Southern States, that If he would stand
fast e the Government all his rights should be pro-
teeted aud when peace should come, be fully restored
to him? Did not pledge the ational faith to every
who enlisted in the service OF his country that
no love of POKER, no lust of conquest. no military
subIugaon. should enter into the purposes OF the war;
but that il waged merely 10 preserve net to de-
strGv She Government?
Have not those in the Southern States who have
been their allegiance amid the most bitter per
secutions know in the annals of history. who have
their dwellings burned and their fields desoaed
and who have fed their mountains for refuge, and
raised Tag their submits no clan TO the iul-
hllment Of this pledge Have those at the North,
wo rushed the battle field preserve NATIONAL fra
ternity, no right TO insist on the futlment OF THIS
pledge, without which they would have remained az
BE- me- Has the nation itselfA right to demand
this floor and everywhere, that its plighted fath
AMI its sacred honor, which have survived the storm
Of revolution, shall not perish IN the halls OF its own
Capitol?
Ii is said, know. that one Congress is not bound
by the acts OF previous Congress and that what
done in 1851 is not binding in 1866. Can this be so
Is the pledge Of the national faith to pay money more
binding than when il was made to preserve Govern-
and protect liberty Is the millionaire, no
STAYED at home and lends his money, more favored
ere ior of the nation than he no shoulders his
ket ard goes the field under the solemn pledge that
State Institutions should survive the shock of battle
National faith is essential to national hte is the
cementing bond of Union, the nobest attribute OF
government, and the virtue allied TO the great
source of omuscient wisdom and justice.
dent ,ns shaped his policy and
the guide OF his public life. All his acts had
reference under it lie declared that TO the
Union, that Is, preserve the States, the first
nd Cuty n MS
Went. Ii it could be done by protecting slavery then
slavery to be protected If il could best be done
by destroying slavery then slavery TO be destroy
ed. Hence, his administrative was simple, straight
forward and consistent; and Il is matter OF record
that this policy received the unanimous support OF his
Cabinet.
His address to the people of Washingto the 18th
of April 1865 the last public act of his lite was the
most studied comprehensive and perfect OF the many
papers which he has left for the instruction of pos
teritv. 1t recaptuated all the principles laid down
in the resolution, and gave il practical and tan
gble form. The system perfect IN all its parts,
and complete in all its details The time for pract-
cal application rad come, and that application was
about to be made by him. when the hand of the as
sassn deprived the nation of its head, the Consttu-
ton of wsest defender, and the State governments
of their truest friend.
By the action of institutions the responsible du-
W of carving these measures devolved on tho
Vice President Andrew johnson. Here wide field
Of ambition was opened TO the President. Ar
mics were be employed disbanded old States
prescribed ones brought into existence; the
policy Of the old Administration to be continued,
tie ton held its breath while these questions we're
under Amusement.
At length the decree came forth that the policy of
Abraham Lincoln was 10 be continued That the
resolution of july %, 1851 which had formed the
platform of the war, also to be the platform of
leace and that those who had pinned their iaIth
the solemn declaration % Congress were not 10
be disappointed.
The South Immediately showed signs of national
life Industry: apparently dead beg to revive con,
fdence which had been lost, returned with bold
step and hope, which about to expire, was
again lighted up in the hearts of the people The
North felt that their sbors had not been IN vain tina,
rhey were again to have a whole country, a united
country and that the blood which had been shed on
any battle fields would but cement ana preserve our
Union.
Congress had laid down the rule. President Lin
cnIn had interpreted il. President Johnson accepted
the Interpretation and followed It, How earnestly ne
has Iabored To carry forward this great work how
MANY great difficulties have been interPesed both
North and South. to its final accomplishing hew
strife has at last come IN unbldden even IN the
hour the nation peril to thwart the holy
purpose of nuon and fraternity. need not stop TO
say That the matured plans Of President Ln sa1
lv be accepted bv the American people, IS my firm
belief and earnest hope
CONGRESS.
Since the opening of the session of Congress many
new theories OF reconstruction have been put forward
For the past four the ingenuity of tie legal
profession has employed itself in demonstrating that
tile Union Of the States Is ndissoube that the Con-
stution has conferred power either the Supreme
Court Congress, the several States or on the
people Of the States break the bonds of its author
itv and release the people from their allegiance. We
had supposed this 10 be political axiom. Alter four
years of bitter strife had Hoped that the bond OF
or Urion after had been ba,hei in the blood of
half million of patriots, would again be called
in que stion. But Mr. Chairman, in this nj
taken.
The argument Of the gifted aui eloquent gent e-nau
from Ohio. Mr. SHELLtB RGER delivered in this
Hall the sth of January, goes to prove that there
is power within the Government which destro
IL and that THAI power has been successfully exerted
He has Iab0red prove that noble Union of thirty
six States. has been sh TERED in pieces aud thai
eleven of those States, broken and dsmemoered ars
now drifting the pillows Of revolution Ike the
huIks of fee, disabled and scattered BY the storm
And sir. by what train of argument has he reached
conclusion opposed the national instinct and the
convictions of The public judg ment
He h.s searched the law of nations To fnd tbs
definition Of a STATE Il lives IN the family of
independent sovereignty, coequal, existing
under certain conditions. and possessing certain at
tribdres AMI then sir, has applied that definition
the States Of Culon-the States of constitution
al Coz eminent in which each derives its character
stics and it. stsributes from the law Of nations
but from written Constitution defining and limiting
the powers of each and ALL and marking with aceu