Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-01-19
-nnq RESTORATION. un.
.afI fu.mH.
-r' 1af lg1mH o. -----7- .uHiraI.E gr
'qi 10 a'nm SPEECH OF ,eHaH
H ON E y VIM. z {. 4; F;lINllCK IN,
hpmag ooI ,Tu OF OHIO,Il .ooh.s.r.1
In the House OF Representatives,
or9fg December 21st, 1865. .7,
.OFOHIO,

In the House. Of Representatives,
9rofv December 21rt, 1865, .7y
.OE sggT z .rny sid. .ff nu fg boz
IoH sfF '' rcoNcLUsroS.l ms I,E .1K
Sir, deny the right OF this Congress, or
of the Federal Government, either directly
or Indirectly, to regulate the right of the
elective franchise within the several States.
No such power has been conferred upon
= 1t. We must, If we expect to continue
our free system of Government, agree, like
| frank aud candid men, that there Is, no diff
ference IN the rights OF the several States OF
this Union; that each State is the equal OF
the other, and has the same rights and
privileges; and If you can interfere by
the General Government, to regulate the
question of the elective franchise in North
Carolina, you may by the same power regu-
late the same question in Massachusetts and
Ohio. ....f'-.,......
The Federal Government cannot dictate
to the States In this matter of suffrage. The
Constitution of the United States, second
section of article one, declars that rr
| "The House Of Representatives shall DO composed
members s iS chosen every seeoad year by the peS
State shall have the qualifications Re quiste for cleo
tors Of the most numerous branch of the State
| Legislatures" ... ..I. ..... ......., .... . ..
The qualifications of electors of members
OF the Legislatures of the States have been
fixed and regulated from the earlist period
of the adoption of government by the
American people. by each State for itself,
and the section already quoted expressly
recognizes this right as belonging exclu-
siVely to the States. l-...
Sir, the claim to regulate the elective
franchise the States unrepresented on
this floor cannot be sustained upon any
other theory than that advocated by the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, namely,
that these States, whose people were lately
in revolt, were actually out of the Union
that the Union was broken up and dis
membered and that we have conquered
these States,a and reduced them to territories.
But again, we have been told that the peo-
pie of these States must remain unrepre-
sented until they exhibit signs of true
loyalty, How long; five, ten, or thirty
years?
Charles Sumner tells us that time is
necessary. He says in his speech of Sep
tember Ia, 1865, before the Republican
State Convention of Massachusetts, that
For thirty years and more this Wickednsss was
maturing. Who can say that the same time will
not be needed now 10 mature condit ons Of perman-
ont peace? Who can say that generation must
| ~SNNNi"'S'
| common GOvemmentV ..
And again, in the same speech, he says
| "As those who have fought against US should be
disiranchisod 50 those who fought 70! Us should Be
freedman will take the place of the master, thus
tho first shall belfast"
Another distinguished citizen of the
same State General Butler, has told us in
a speech which he has made somewhere in
Massachusetts, that we have full power in
our own hands, and that we can refuse tC
let a State be represented until the State
shall permit the colored man to vote. And
this seems to be the scheme of the radicals
who are seeking to defeat the policy of
patriotic Executive to heal up the wounds
of the country, and bring all the States to-
gether again in this House OF the people:
Representatives. trust that conservative
gentlemen on the other side will not be
overawed by the Senator from Massachu-
sets and the distinguished gentleman from
Pennsylvania. .Is'.. ..ar a-
Sir, the Southern people have erred deep.
ly and terribly, bit have they net also
most grievously suffered No brave OI
gallant man would at a time like this cry
out for more punishment upon this people
A magnanimOus people, and great and
magnanimous Government will not allow
it.. Now, that the war is ended, every honest
effort should be made by all true citizens
to restore friendly relations between the
different sections, and cement more firmly
than ever the bonds of the Union. All
further effort TO punish this people by the
forfeiture of their political rights should
end, except in so far as the public interests
may imperatively demand punishment;
and then let it be in accordance with the
1 / OF nd lo of ha H..
deed we have peace, jletit be peace In
reality. Let our conduct be such as will
be approved by that calm, deliberate, and
thoughtful public opinion of the Christian
and civilized world, which will most, as
suredly pass its Judgment on the conduct
OF our Government.
Sir, am glad to be able to say here to-
day that in the main approve the course
and policy of the President on this uues-
tion; and shall feel it my duty to give him
Il my support In every proper and constitu-
tional effort to restore to these States their
1 just rights, and to heal up the wounds
which have been inflicted upon the coun-
try. 1t is indeed high and noble mission
inwhich the Executive is engaged, and ]
regret to find he has not the cordial sup
/ port of the distinguished gentleman from
Pennsylvania, and those who concur in the
II NlbWS VI biluJ ktilbltIlhn rs announced Oh
last Monday. Now that the war is over
since we have vindicated before the world
the ability of this Government to maintain
itself and to preserve the Union, it seems
to me that it is the duty of every public
man to study, without partisan bitterness
the remedies best adapted to restore quiet
and confidence to the country, and to show
to the world, that while this Government
is determined to maintain the integrity Of
the Union, cost what 1t may, and to crush
with strong hand all opposition to its
rightful authority, so, too, in the hour Of
triumph, when the opposition to the Gov
ernment has surrendered, and given evi-
dence of its return to obedience, that we
know how to practice that generous elem
ency and Kindness which cannot fail to wir
back the affecti0ns0 of these people, many o.
whom have been misguided and deceived
and thus exhibit to the world that our peo.
pie are as much distinguished for Their
inagnanimity and forbearance as for theil
gallantry and courage. Sir, there Is great
wisdom In the noble language of Edmund
Burke, when he exclaimed, that magma
nimity in politics is the truest wisdom, and
a great empire and little minds go i'll to-
gether. .'f al'0hi5i'i 's i5aa0u 9dt So llsa
But sir, the great mass of the Southern
people have been included In the amnesty
proclamation Of the President, and MANY
who were not so Included have since, by
the action of the Executive, received spe-
cial pardons. By what law or principle are
you 10 deprive these men, afterIthey have
/ taken ,tha Oath IN etnn0rE the rhnetitutlo,, "A,