The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-06-05
THAD. STEVENS NEW PLAN OF RECONSTRUCT


| TIoN.-The Radical leader whose despotic infa-
| ence over Congress has been felt during the six
months it has been in session. proposes to draw a
| sponge over all that Congress has yet done, and
| commence with clean slate. He introduced
| the following bill, which was read twice and re-
| ferred tothe Committee of the Whole:
Whereas. The eleven StatesT which lately
| formed the government of the SO called Confed-
crate States of.Amerca have forfeited all their
rights under the Constitution. and can be rein
stated in the only through the action of
Congress; therefore,
BE it enacted by the Senate and House of Re-
representatives. of the United States of America in
Congress assembled, That the eleven States late
ly in rebellion may form valid State governments
in the following manner:
Sec. 2. The State governments now existing
de (acto. though illegally formed in the midst of
martial law, and though. in many instances, the
constitutions adopted under duress and sub
mitte6 to the ratification of the people, and,
therefore. are not to be treated as free republics,
yet they are hereby acknowledged valid gov
ernments for municipal purposes, until the same
shall be duly altered. and their legislative and
executive officers shall be treated as such.
Sec. B. Whenever the Legislatures of said
States shall enact that conventions shall be call
ed to form legitimate State governments by the
formation and adoption of State constitutions.
the Governor chief executive officer shall d.
rect an election to be held on day certain. to
choose delegates to convention, which shall
meet at the time fixed by the Legislature. and
form State constitution. which shall be submit
ted to vote. of the people. and if ratified by a
majority of the loyal voters, shall be declared the
Constitution of the State
Sec. 4. The persons who shall be entitled to
vote at both of said elections shall be follows
All male citizens above the age of twenty one
years, who have resided one year in said State
or ten days within the election district.
& ha wnrd Iscifi Spd N n r.
shall be construct to mean all persons except In
dians not taxed. born in the United States or duly
naturalized. Amy male citizen above the age of
twenty -one years shall be competent to be elect
ed to act as a delegate to said Convention.
Sec. 6. All persons who held office. either civil
or military, under the Government of the So cal
led Confederate States of America. or who swore
allegianca~to said Government, are hereby de-
clared to have forfeited their citizenship. and to
have renowned ali allegiance to the United
States. and shall not be entitled to exercise the
elective franchise until Eve years after they have
filed their intention desire to be re-invested
with the right of citizenship, and shall swear al
legiance to the United States and renounce allie
glance to all other governments or pretended
governments the said application to be filed aud
oath taken in the same courts that by law
authorized tn naturaze foreigners.
Sec. z. No constitution shall be presented to
or acted on by Congress, which denies to any
citizen any rights. privileges or immunities which
are granted to any other citizen in the State. All
laws shall be impartial, without regard to race or
former condition. If the provisions of this sec
ton should ever be alt r, j. repealed, expunged,
or in any way abrogateG. this act shall become
void. aud said State shall lose its right to be
presented in Congress.
Sec. 8. Whenever the foregoing conditions
shall be complied with. the citizens of said State
may present such constitution to Congress. and
if the same shall be approved by Congress. said
State shall be declared entitled to the rights,
privileges. and immunites. and be subjected to
all the obligations and liabilities of State with
in the Union. No Senator Representative
shall be admitted into either house of Congress
until Congress shall have declared the State en-
titled thereto.
No Southern State will ever accept the above
plan.l