, 1866-11-27
RECONSTRUCTION.
Hon. Thnd. Stevens and the Lawful
Power Of Congress over the Rebel

Hon. Thnd. StevenE and the Lawful
Power Of Congress over the Rebel
States,
Editors Chicago Tribune:
The Chicago 1in1es, Of November 18th, tells Us
that Il s'Thaddeua Stevens asserts that the rebel
States arn conquered Provinces and that Con.
greAs may leg!slate with reference to them by the
exercise Of powers wholly outside Of and un-
known to the constttuuon.'"
Now. Il 10 unques ionshly true That these States
arc "eouquescd provinces" yet It BY no means
follows that In legIa'atlug for them Is such, Con-
grets exercises powers wholly ouislde OF md un-
known to the Constitution" !" and u Mr.. Stevens SO
astert., Mr.. Stevens, high authortty "a he eeE-
tsiniy Is, ID simply mistaken.
On the surrender ct Lees army 10 Grnut, and
Johnston's TO Sherman. these rebel communities
became "conquered provinces" According 10
the law Of nations, "the eouqueror gives Law to
the conquered" This has been Edp among ali
people, civilized and sayagc, and In all ages, since
nauons began to fight Bus here, In the United
where nc respect IN wbieh ii i. heid Il shown IN
treaties. tn state papers Of various kinda. In de-
possesses I'll lie fites to ~ Fcspset which @.y BE- q
% seSs sas IL shsss s s1
law -"
i .rtIele1 section 8 clause 9. The Constitution
Hore notcsy. to d<fne and nuaj4h
egsasss sss.s.i j - IL 4 ne,!sa.:" s,,. Tai, M
re.easetneas q ihe lsw of nsuons; to I'll intents
and purposes, Notwithstanding II, and making
it the paramount law Of the land: Hence. what
accoruance With, the law OF nations, Il not done
in the ''exercise Of powers Whe1ly outside Of and
to the contrary notwithstanding. No indeed
Because o. their rebellion, 4nd Is legsly follow
tpg she!s conquest By ths Federal Hose;ament. [t r.
Sist Soiisew q it, hand" saSjeet to on1y twe iin!ta.
n' ts oash s:sa s
woman and ehild u either Of them were 10 ped
tion for = monarchy or IN art.toeraey: And. in
our RepubiIcsu Cong1ess compsehends lhc inll
| meaning Of that requirement, and clearly appre-
es s.s st4 e sss &C. ut Il IT, de-: M
Congress afst determine Highly and rghteoaaiy
oasf ss asd &C. ese
ie.lly} good, to11ows easily and smoo.hl} ...,
ol CO.. q
W,eeed 'eaae i.ws Is eSsetnents Sa:s founded IN
ioysl men, @ nei siiev tasn te 8 oppfs:sed s.
rebel legislation or rebel violence. Wherein,
ei,he. h eslsl.ton o. 1olessaon Ct g Ut at
oppfesssd e ieif .espeas,slo I'D gully
who permits wrong 70 b done Whish he may M
Wong. sessl3 related to this pfepozittoa i. he
5ss st; :s = .aiaa esn
muuites, the rights pertaining To them as pollti-
eal oreaniza.lons catled ststes. In III ths[z
eet q IL s.ons
Ths o1y E9 bs'ong. sbe .r E IT,. g. E
et,heT ase. .aSc notSins-: aH.olq!sly notaisE :!
sses.niag rse. Al aase aash NAY st Efaed
wholly In the discretion Of Congress. And In ex.
ercisi1s wise discretion, i i the oounden duty
md % sslesy IL Z lie country. il sbon'd zee 10 It,
list ,hcse coulnnitles derive no increase Of power
hs5 md m 4 1s slals es "a
the eonnuJ, 1t should even grant them less t4ac
their former power.
black, should be protected and rewarded. And
inafmuch As the easiest and eheapest, as vel =
nos. !ott mode q psSteed1E then i tO ,s6 sS.el.
inents Should be placed in their hands under sueh
eonditIcns a. will most Ense!F enable them 70 re
Il ee eessales e1s q M a ls to 1e eSteud iii
sonth 5ast thlas Vi h!s;o! tals 2 fa;n,sl
ful al!e. undet the heel Of IT. and their enemies
Nersoyes thsse loyal people shoald b. 1Sew1s. s
ni!aons Of acre. ot lind m some Of these stases
: | Texas nkewise holds uanJ millions Of aercs; q
/ IT. annexation. TO perfect our Hic-to extend IL
. bsureary Gora The Nneees to the Rio Gs1rde-
. Ard likewite really. though not arowedty. t
| spread elAye1J, We wnEed war With Mexico: 1t III
| coat Of thousands of lives ard millions Of tre1a
urc. We then paid Mexico ten Or twenty million
Of doila.. Tor peaee aad boundary, nd Te1a
; ten ralluous. To the nneIoudcd tille thu
, de4i7ed frnm conquest Now q In II
manifestations Of mercy, Congress declines Z
eondkcase the csta:es Of individual rebels, let
at least do lie a.e Of loyalty the Justice to COT
nscate the public lAnas Of this most tzrachesoa
md uperateful Of States. II Will then have choir
: | i1Edt ii ahuudance in the Southwest, wherewit
70 reward i's ioya! poor, whether white Or hlae1
!. with fftr honnesteAds TO The negroes especial,
uhom the malignant rebels are rcsolv-d, II |
l their power. to mako homeless yagrants, il tua
s this reward Due Let colgreesssee TO II. that
: | alluw rot the golden opportunity to escape. q.