The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1866-03-09
Ettsscis from q vccca Vi oeHa,or
4 rumbuii.

at a meeting called for the purpos'
of sustaining Congress. The meet
: ing was very large, and several elo
quent addresses we're delivered
. This extract shows what, in TruIn
bulls view, has been the policy o.
Congress, in the all important matter
OF reconstruction.
What then, is the policy Of Con
gress2 1t is said it has got none.
indicated in the beginning of my re.
marks what 1t is. We are proceed
ing with all haste consistent with due
consideration to ascertain the facts,
and to determine whether any oi
these States are in a condition that
we can recognize the organizations
that have been set up, and when that
is determined, as it will be very
speedily, when the committee that
has been investigating this subject, |
might almost say night and day fol
the last f rty days, shall have report
ed, and we shall have report very
soon in reference to some of these
States. They are loyal organizations,
and the men here representing them
are loyal men; there is no men in
Congress who will not rejoice and
thank God that they are in a condi-
tion in which we can receive them
into the brotherhood Of States.
| know what say when | declare
to you that it is Il matter of deep re-
gret to all in Congress that we nave
had to keep out of Congress, rs long
as we have men like Horace May
nard, of Tennessee, applause like
Stokes, of Tennessee, and like some
of the men from Arkansas. WY,
there were some of them who have
been in the Union army. Stokes, OF
Tennessee, formerly member oil
Congress from that State, raised n
regiment Of loyal Tennesseeans, he
united with the union army, and he
fought the rebels from the beginning
of the war to its close. lie was elect
ed to Congress, came on to wash
ington, and do you not suppose it
was matter Of deep regret that be
fore admitting him we have to inquire
into that organization TO see whether
IL can sustain itself? Why, sir, he
will he admitted at once If the eNi-
dence is such as to justify us, as !
hope it will be. in recognizing the or.
ganization in Tennessee. And what
do mean by that2 l mean that if
the organization has sufficient basis
so that the moment we recognize it,
it will not bc ovegthrown by rebels.
IApplause. We do not want that,
and Colonel Stokes does not want
that. lie does not want to take his
seat in Congress until Tennessee is
in q condition to maintain her loyalty
When States are recognized as in
full communion with the Union, what
becomes of your martial law? Can
the President of the United States,
when peace is restorcd-when all
these States, in the language OF Sec
retary Seward, are in perfect harmo
ny with the National Constitution,
and in recognized cooperation with
the Federal Governmcnt-set aside
the civil courts, declare martial law
and continue the military authority?
If he cannot, what will be the condi
ton of these States if they are not in
the hands of loyal menI They will
go into the hands of traitors, and 10y
al men will be prosecuted and driven
out. We do not mean that. Con
gress does not mean it. Too many
sacrifices have been made, too much
money has been spent, too many lives
have been lost in putting down these
armed traitors, to suffer them now 10
disarm us, take possession of the
State Governments, persecute and
drive out the loyal men. Cheers.
Here is the policy Of Congress. l
have indicated it to you. 1t is not to
keep out any eleven States. 1t is to
admit them, every one, as soon as it
can be safely done. Congress is the
Judge of such organizations under the
Constitution, and nobody else. Ap
plause
Why, these denunciations of Con
gress is making no war upon the
President; no war upon the Presi-
dents policy. We do not complain
that he took the initiative and assist
ed in setting up these State Govern
ments. What we want to ascertain
il whether they contain sufficient 10y
atty to maintain their position rs 10y.
al States. Does he want any State
before that?
In my judgment, fellow citizens,
We shall get through this difficulty,
and we shall come triumphantly
it. These States will all be
in harmonious rela.ions-not to. day, |
nor TO morrow, nor the next day
not as was prophesied by the same
individual in regard to
the fall of the rebellion, not in sixty
days, not perhaps in ninety days
laughter and cheers but before
very long. doubt not before the
of this Congress we
shall have some of these States in
relations with the Gov.
crnment. / hope they will be all. Ii
will he all, il in the opinion of your
Representatives it can be done with
safety to the Republic. But, if in
their opinion it cannot be done with
safety 10 the Republic, ] know you
do not want it done. [Cries of mo,
no; we do not"
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