The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-03-28
Joint Resolutions on Reconstruction.

Johnson on reconstruction introduced the
following Joint Resolutions which were re-
ferred 10 the committee.
UtersaS, In The present distracted con
ditlon OF the country, il is eminenily proper
and necessary that all Just and constitu-
uonal means should be employed for the
Quieling OF popular excitement. the reno
val oi unreasonable prejudice. aud the ob-
liberation of all hostile feelings growing ont
of the late unhappy civil war: All lctrrsgS,
one OF the most prolific sources OF unirend-
ly sentiment l. the conflict Of opinion cX-
/ sting on the subject OF negro suffrage. GHa
| l-scrcgS II Is most evident that there Is 100
probability whatever that Senators and
/ Representatives I'm Congress from the states
whose people We're recently IN insurrecfiou.
I Will be allowed 10 occupy the seats to which
/ they have been elected until such States
shall have complied with certain faniamen-
| tai conditions. portion OF which are
/ hereafter rcciled. and lctsregS it is un-
reasonable 20 expect the re-establishment
OF harmony and good feeling as long a, The
southern states whose people were recently
/ In iusurrec,len are prevented from reslmin-
their ancient relations 10 this Government;
therefore
Res0lrei. That each OF said States whose
people were lately 10 insurrectiou Us alorc-
said shall be recognized a. having fllly aud
vahilv resumed It's former relations with
| the GOvcrment and lis chosen representa-
tives shall be admitted In the two Houses
Oi the National Legislature whenever said
State shall have 50 amended It's constltu-
/ ton as 10 do away with all distinctions as
/ % civil rights, the disabilities among the
various classes OF its population hy reason
either OF race. or color. or previous con-
dltlon 0f seryitude; ,. To ropudiate all in-
debtedness which said state may have here
4 tofore contracted. incurred orassumei wiih
the late unnatural aud reasonable war, 3.
/ To Weld all claims 10 compensation on ac-
count of the Liberation OF It's slaves. and 4.
I To provide Tor the exercise of the elective
/ franchise hy all persons upon The same
/ terms and conditions. making no discrimi-
/ nation on account of race. color or presl-
/ uus conditions OF hervitude. I-UriIci.
I That those who were qualified 10 Vote lu
/ the year 1900 hy the laws of their re@pec-
| tive States shall not he disiranchi-oi hy
reason of any new conditions which have
been, or may be, prescribed since that year
RsS0ircf That after the aforesaid cnu-
dit0nS have been complied with, aud thc
same shall have been ratified 10y "A majority
of tho present voting population oi the
state including all those qualified to vote
under the laws thereof as they existed in
ls60, a general amnesty shall be- proclaimed
~ regard 10 ail persons in such state Who
We're in any way connected with armed up-
position 10 the United States Government,
wholly eX0nerating them from all pains,
penalties OF dIsiranchlsement 10 which they
may have become liable hy reason of con-
ncction with the rebellion.
L.soired. That IN view Of the assimilation
@. the basis OF suffrage in the various states
OF the Union, all other states not above
specified shall be respectfully requested 10
incorporate an amendment Ia their State
constitutions respectively corresponding
with the one specified
4 ResOlrei, That, in the adoption of the
Aforesaid resolutions, it has not been in-
topdod - assert "A @narrive pnwar nn fha
part OF Congress in regard 20 the regua
ton of the right OF suffrage in the different
states of the Union, but only 10 make re-
spectiul and earnest appeal 10 their Own
good sense and love OF country, with a
view 10 the prevention OF serious evils now
threatened. and u the peaceful perpetu-
alton OF The happiness and true glory of the
whole American people
Mr. Stewart, in Offering the above. made
a brief explanation. lie said he hal been
, a careful observer OF the current OF events
since Congress assembled, and he bad
come 10 the conclusion that the proposition
he had Submitted corresponds with the
b. prevailing sentiment in the public press.
p lie offered this without expressing an opin-
ion as to the proprieiy of negro suffrage.
! which be had studiously avoided On all oc-
casi0ns.
Mr Pomeroy asked Mr. Stewart if he
, bad rot once said something about 4 white
mans Government
D Mr.. Stewart replied that he bad only sta
ted that the fact OF this being a white
mans Government WAS not 10 be scOfed al
Z or dsregarded lie stin said So Mr.
q Stewart continued his remarks on the rosO-
\ ulions lie said he did not pretend 20 be
: welded 10 the party OF provisions of what
he had submitted, but he indOrsed the
3 general propositions lie wanted the South
j. 90 have au opportunity % vote upon &c.
. / When they refuso that, IL will be time
y enough 20 answer other propositions. but
q, until they do refuse, he thought Dc unjust
-, 20 take from them tie right % decide for
themselves. lie would late furthermore.
,r thlf. in presenting this proposition. he
10 found 30 90 be- IN accord with the letters
.e written August 18th last by the President
.e % Gov. -larkey, which he was authorized
y 10 state was genuine - published DO Tie
" newspapers and he had no reason % be
~ lieve that the President had changed hl
q.
/ Mississippi Convention. For the reason tia
In the convention refused 10 receive cOmmuni
I'M cations from Gov. Sharkey, the question
a, never was presented % The people 90 tha
- state OF anv other State Tho Pres Ien
,s did not feel himself authorized 10 suDini
l. the question 10 the people, nor did be- iee
"A authorized 10 demand it a. a condition, De
,e cause lf was not one OF the issues made j
of the N4r It was a question outsile, upo
Il. which The people Of the South had DO oT
l. pOrtunty Of passing.
M Mr.. Williams, OF Oregon. was glad % 7e
such proposition coming from Nr- stew
nj art. lie would inquire Of him whether.
a. the Reconstruction Committee reported
- plan Of reconstruction embOdylng IDA
a. proposition II be lStewart) would vote 81
en keeping the Southern Representative o.
he Of Congress until that plan was adopted
od Mr. Stewart said he would vote for tt
on proposition be had offered If reported b
-a- the Committee.
Mr. sumner rise 10 welcome in tt
IN, Senator from Nevada q new convert - ti
,,- necessity for cOlOred suffrage on this foo
-, have maintained that cOiOred suffrage ".
- the only guaranty for inture peace aud b
curi;y in this country. / have insste
ool that u WAS a necessity, and that VII
,Io out it orr National Government D. il
-ad perille1, our iree1Om VIII be 10 c0nsLa
az danger, and this Republic cannot eni'
I'M permanent peace, and ! welcome with OPS
be arms the Senator from Nevada (Gre.
II laughter.)
bjs Mr. Wilson, desire simply 10 say that
- thank the Senator from Nevada for oierir
H. this proposition. have no doubt u W
receive the favorable consideration Of q
Committee 70 which il has been refeTe
a. well a. the Senate and or Congress.
lge am in favor for one, and / believe u
no country + in favor Of sitting this who
o- question on the basis Of universal liDert
,... universal justice, universal suffrage al
universa. amnesty.
" Mr.. Henderson said be was under son
rs, obligations TO the Senator from Nevala ar
al he desired - express them. He STATE
.o, that. shortly after the date Of the letter
Gov. Slarkey, the President bad express
,uI the views contained IN that letter lu
pnt ~.~-vQfn conversation that II the a .|rr.r