American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1851-1863, 1866-02-08
CANTON, MISS.
CONGRESSION AL,

was introduced by Mr.. Yates, of Illinois
and referred to the Reconstruction Com,
mittee, providing that no State or Terri.
tory shall make any distinction between
citizens on account OF race or color, shall
be protected in full equal enjoyment and
exercise of all civil and political rights,
including suffrage.
Mr. TrumbuI called up the bill to pro-
!ect all in the enjoyment of civil rights
and furnish means of vindicaton. 1t
provides that there shall be no discrim,
nation in civil rights or immunilies among
the inhabitants of any State or Territory
OF the United States on account Of race,
color or previous condition of slavery
but inhabitants of any race or color
without regard to any previous condition
of slavery or involuntary servitude, ex-
cept for punishment for crime, whereof
the party shall have been duly convicted, g,
shall have the same right TO make and
enforce contracts, to sue the parties and
give evidence. to inherit, purchase, lease,
sell, hold and convey real and personal
property, and full and equal benefit Of
all laws and proceedings for security of
person and property, and shall be subject
to like punishment, fines and penalties,
and to none other, any law, statute or or
dlnancc regulation to the contrary not
wilhStGudng.
The remainder of the bill prescribes
puuishments Tor violations Of the above
provisions by fine and Imprisonment.
Mr.. TrumbuIl offered the following
amendment to be inserted Immediately
after the enacting clause in the first Sec
lion That all persons of African descent
born in the United States are hereby de.
clared to be citizens Of the United States.
Mr. Trumbull proceeded to address the
Senate on the above, which he said was
necessary to the enforcement of the Con.
stitutional amendment and called for by
the second clause Of that amendment
Mr.. Van Winkle asked Mr.. Trumbull
it persons of African descent were not now
citizens of the United States, under what
authority could Congress make them cili-
zens
Mr. Trumbull said Congress could do
so under Constitutional authority to estab.
lsh uniform laws of naturalization.
Mr. Salisbury looked upon this bill as
more dangerous to civil liberty than any
ever introduced in the Senate He de. .
MED the power under the Constitutional .
amendment to pass such law. In the
second clause Of the amendment it never
such an invasion of the rights of
citizens and Of States. lfIhe amendment,
instead of abolishing slavery, had abol
shed all distinction OF color, then such a
bill might be justified.
Mr. Howard asked Mr. salisbury
whether the intention and meaning of the
Constitutional amendment was not 10 ren>
der him who was formerly a slave, free
man ?
Mr.. Salisbury replied that the amend
ment did nothing to the slave but remove
he burden of servitude from him. He
believed that if the bill was passed it
" ould be construed to grant the right of
suffrage to negroes in the States. Such I
nigh; not be the intention of the friends
lf the bill, but such would be the result
If its passage. If the President signed
his bill and the bill for the enlargement ,
# the powers of the Freedmen's Bureau.
ne would sign two acts more dangerous
o the liberty of his countrvmen and {
more disastrous to citizens of the country
han any acts that have been passed
rom The foundation of the Government
o this time.
After executive session the Senate ad~
ourned.
In the House, Mr. Julian. of Indiana,
'fered resolution. declaring that, in the
deliberate judgment of the House. the
peedy uial OF JEFF. Davis fer the crime
i treason, aud his prompt execution if
ound guilty, are impera lively demanded ..
" the people of the United States, in or.
Ter that treason may be adequately
branded by the naticn. traitors made in
amous, and the repetition of such crimes !
is far as possible be prevented.
Mr.. Schenck suggusted an amendment,
which Mr. Julian accepted. to provide for
lis trial either by civil or military tribu- .
lal.
Mr.. Julian accepted modification pro-
,osed by Mr. Bingham, adding, OF the
,tber crime OF which he stands charged.
The House refused TO second the de.
nand for The previous question. when
lebate arising, the resolution went over.
Mr.. Farquhar, of Indiana, offered a
esoluuon, which was agreed to, instruct
ng Committee on District Columbia to :
eport a bill to amend the election laws Of
he District so as TO exclude from exer-