Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-06-15
Speech of Stevens.

The closing speech in the House pre-
vious to the vote on the constitutional
amendment, was made by Thad. Stevens.
1t is characteristic. We print the fol-
lowing telegraphic report of it:
The House then seconded the previous
question, and Mr. Stephens closed the
debate. He congratulated the House
and the country that a scheme was soon
to be submitted to the people for the ad-
mission of an outlawed community
to the privileges and advantages of
civilized and free Government, a
scheme containing, he said, as much pos
tive good as the omission Of many better
things. In my youth, he continued, in
manhood and in my old age, i have fondly
dreamed that when any fortunate chance
should have broken up for a time the
foundations of our institutions, and re-
leased US from obligations the most ty-
rannieal that we're ever imposed in the
name of freedom, the intelligent free and
Just men of this Republic would return
TO their professions and their conscience,
and would have remodeled our institu-
tions as to have freed them from every
yestige Of oppression, of inequality Of
rights, of the recognized degradation
Of the poor and the superior caste of
the rich. In short, that no distinc-
ton would be tolerated in this puri-
fed Republic but which arose from
merit and conduct. The bright dream
has vanished " like the baseless fabric Of
vision" find that we shall be obliged
to be content with patching up the worst
portions of the ancient edihce, leaving it
most Of its parts to be swept through by
the iempests, the frosts and storms Of
despotism. Doyou inquire why, holding
these reins and possessing some will of
my own, accept so imperfect PROPOSE
tion2 | answer, because live among
men and not among angels; among men
as intelligent, as determined, as indie
pendent as myself, who, not agreeing
with me, do not choose TO yield their
opinions TO mine Mutual concession,
therefore, is our only resort for mutual
security; we might well have been
justified in making renewed and more
strenuous efforts for a better plan
Could we have had the coop
Grafton of the Executive, with his cordial
assistance, the rebel States might have
been made model republics and the
nation an empire Of universal freedom
But he preferred restoration to recon
struction. He chose that the slave States
should remain as nearly as possible in
their ancient condition, with such small
notifications as be and his prime minis
tiers should suggest Without any i'm
pertinent interference from Congress, he
anticipated the legitimate action of the
National Legislature, and by an act Of
usurpation erected governments in the
provinces, imposed upon them institu-
tons in the most arbitrary and unconsti-
tutional manner, and now maintains
them as legitimate governments, and in
solently demands that they be repre-
scented in Congress on equal terms with
loyal States To repress this tyranny,
and, at the same time, 10 do some justice
TO conquered rebels, requires caution.
The grave danger is that the seceders
may soon overwhelm the loyal men in
Congress
The haste urged upon us by some loyal
but impetnous men, their anxiety to en-
uIdtt Tue EtNlNaEutabNfs " Atgcto tngAf
ambition to display their dexterity in the
use Of the broad mantle Of charity, and
especially the danger arising from the
interruptions use Of patronage and from
the oily orations of false prophets, ia
nous for sixty days obligations, and for
protested political promises, admonish
us TO make no further delay in referring
TO the third section
Mr. Stevens said he could not look
upon the Senate amendment as an i'm
provement In his judgment it endan-
gered the government Of the country,
both State and national Il might give
the next Congress and President 10 the
reconstructed rebels With their enlarged
basis Of representation and the exclusion
Of loyalmen Of color from the ballot-bor,
be saw no hope Of safety, unless in the
prescription Of the proper enabling
acts, which should do justice TO the
! freedmen and enioin enfranchisement as