Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1866-05-31

doubt that the General Government cJuld
not extend the elective franchise, it was
equally clear that good faith required the
security of the freedmen in their liberty
and their property, their right to labor, and
their right to claim just return of their
labor; and observing further, that the
country was in need of labor, and the freed
men in need of employment, culture, and
protection. In connection with this sub
ject the President further remarked:
''Slavery was essentially monopoly of
labor, and as such, locked the States where
it prevailed against the incoming of free in
dustry. Where labor was the property of
the capitalists, the white man was excluded
from employment, or had but the second
best chance of finding it, and the foreign
immigrant turned away from the region
where his condition would be so precari-
ous,' SC.
''These views of the President in relation
to the freedmen received, and continue to
receive, my hearty concurrence. They have
guided the action of the War Department,
and were substantially advocated, in its an
nual report. In what ] believe an honest
desire to conform to them, bill was passed
by Congress, regulating the Freedmen's Bu-
reau; but the provisions of the bill did not
believed the power conferred upon him, and
upon the agents to be appointed by him to
be unwisa and unconstitutional. Concurring
in the object of the bill, and regarding the
power as temporary and safe in his hands, |
advised its approval; but having been re-
turned to Congress, with the Presidents OBJ
| iections, and having failed to receive the
needful support, it is no longer a living
measure, nor the subject of debate or of
difference of opinion.
"Another Congressional measure, called
the civil rights bill, has been the subject of
| conflict That bill, now law, has for its
object the security of civil rights in insur-
rectionary States. 1t was well observed by
| the President, in his annual message, that
/ peaceful immigration to and from that por-
ton of the country, the Southern States, is
one of the best means that can be thought Of
! for restoration of harmony. 1t is possible
that interference with such immigration was
one of the chief objections to military rule,
and by some it is thought that the influence
| Of class legislation in favor Of the slavehold-
| ing monopoly heretofore existing in the
| Southern States would be strongly excited
! to prevent peaceful immigration into those
| States, and would exclude the laboring pop
| ulation of the North from the soil of exube-
rant fertility and friendly climate, -that
productive region, embracing the eight or
nine States nearest the Gulf of Mexico !;
| and that hence civil rights in those States
should be evidently protected by Federal
| laws and Federal tribunals. Although the
measures enacted by Congress for this pur-
pose failed to receive the Executive sanction,
| yet having been adhered to by two third
vote in each House, they have now passed
| to the statute book, and ceased to be sub
| ject of debate.
| "Another measure, or series Of measures,
| of prime Importance, now pending before
Congress, merits brief remark, namely ::
| The plan of restoration, reconstruction, as
it is sometimes called. TO this plan, re-
ported by the Joint Committee, I have not
been able to give my assent. 1t contem-
plates an amendment to the Federal Consti-
tuition, the third section Of the proposed ar
ticle being in these terms:
"Sec. 3. Until the fourth day of July,
1870, all pers sons who voluntarily adhered
to the late instruction, giving it aid and
comfort, shall be excluded from the right to
vote for members of Congress, and for elect
ors of President and Vice-President of the
United States
cit is urged by the advocates of this plan
that the third section is the vital one, with
| out which the others are of no value. Its
| exclusive action will no doubt commend it
| to the feelings of many as wise and just
| provision; but am unable TO so regard it,
because for four years it binds Congress
to exclude from voting for Representatives
or Presidential Electors all persons who
voluntarily adhered to the late insurrec-
| ton, giving it aid and comfort, no matter
what may be the condition of the country,
or what proofs of present and future loyalty
may be given. An absolute bar is to be
erected for four years against large class
of persons. Change of circumstance and
condition often works rapid change in party
and political sentiments, and nowhere with
more marked result than in the South.
| It is believed that the elements of change
are now at work there, stimulating on one
side to loyalty, and on the other to contin-
ued hostile feeling In my judgment, every
proper Indictment to union should be fos-
tered and cherished; and for Congress to
limit it's own power by constitutional amend
ment for a period of four years might be
deplorable in its results. To those who
differ ! accord the same honesty, and per-
haps greater wisdom than / can claim for
myself As the proposed plan now stands,
| am unable to perceive the necessity, JUS
tice, or wisdom of the measure; but having
40 place nor voice in the body before which
the measure is pending, disclaim any pur
pose. to interfere beyond the expression Of
my own opinion.
g Having thus declared my views, as they
have heretofore been declared to those who
had the right to know them, on the material
questions that have lately arisen, or are
now pending, | trust your purpose on this
occasion is answered; and | shall be glad
if their expression may have any beneficial
influence on questions, the right disposition
of which is matter Of solcitude to every
patriotic man, and is deeply important to the
peace and tranquility of the country. Rec
ogniaing the constitutional power of all the
coordinate branches of the Government
the legislative, Judicial, and executive
and entertaining for each the respect which
is due from every loyal citizen, they are en-
titled to, and shall receive, according to my
best judgment, the support which is re-
quired by that Constitution, which after an
unexampled con fict, has been upheld and
sanctifed by Divine favor, and through the
sacrifice of SO much blood and treasure"
Scene i'm EgOthschiId's Bank.
Enter an American official Rothschild