Cedar Falls gazette. [volume] (Cedar Falls, Iowa) 1860-1895, 1866-03-23
Universal Suffrage the Condition Of Uni.
yerSal Amnesty.

uucIHS the lOIiOWlnB NcCOustTuctIot
Resolutions, which were referred, des
pite Senator Saulsbury's motion thai
; they be laid on the table: ....-..-
Whereas, In the present distracted
condition of the country, 1t is eminent
ly proper and necessary that all just
and constitutional means should be EN-.
ployed for the quieting of popular ex.
element, the removal of unreasonable
prejudice, and the obliteration of ali
hostile feelings out of the late unhappy
civil war; and
Whereas, One Of the most prolific
sources of unfriendly sentiment is the
conflict of opinion existing on the SUBJ
ject Of negro suffrage and
Whereas, 1t Is now most evident that
there is no probability whatever that
Senators and Representatives in Con-
gress from the States whose people were
lately in Instruction Will be allowed to
occupy the seats to which they have
been elected, until such States shall
have compiled with certain fundamental
conditions, a portion of which are here
matter recited; and
Whereas, 1t is unreasonable to expect
the establishment of harmony and
good feeling as long as the eleven
Southern States, whose people were
recently in instruction, are prevented
from resuming their ancient relations
to this Government; therefore, be it
Resolued, &C., First: That each Of
said States, whose people We're lately
in insurrection, as aforesaid, shall be
recognized as having fully and validity
resumed its former relations with this
Government, and its chosen represen-
tatives shall be admitted in the two
Houses of the National Legislature,
whenever said State shall have amend
ed its Constitution as to do away all
existing distinctions as to civil rights
and disabilities among the various clas-
SEES of its population by reason either of
race, or color, or previous condition of
servitude.
Second: To repudiate oil pecuniary
Indebtedness which said State may
have heretofore contracted, incurred or
assumed with the late unnatural and
reasonable War.
Third: To yield all claim to compen-
sation on account OF the liberation Of
its slaves and
Fourth: To provide for the extension
of the elective franchise to all persons
upon the same terms and conditions,
making no discrimination on account
of race, color or previous condition Of
servitude: provided that those who
were qualified to vote in the year 1860
by the laws of their respective States,
shall not be DISTINGUISHED by reason Of
any new test or conditions which have
been or may be prescribed since that
year.
Resolred, That after the aforesaid
conditions have been complied with,
and the same shall have been ratified by
a majority OF the present voting popu-
lation of the State, including all those
qualified to vote under the laws thereof
as they existed in 1860, general am
nesty shall be proclaimed in regard to
all persons in such State who were in
any way connected with armed Oppo-
sition to the Government of the United
States. Wholly eXonerating them from
all pains, penalties of disabilities to
which they may have become liable by
reason of connection with the rebellion.
| Resolved, That in view of the thor
ough assimilation of the BASIS of suf-
frage in the various States of the Union,
all other States not above specified shall
be respectfully requested to incorporate
an amendment in their State Constitu-
tons corresponding with the one spec
flied.
Resolved, That in the adoption of the
aforesaid resolutions it is not intended
to assert a coercive power on the part
of Congress in regard to the regulation
of the right of suffrage in the different
States of the Union, but only to make
! a respectful and earnest appeal to their
good sense and love OF country with a
view to the prevention of serious evils
now threatened and to the peaceful
perpetuation of the repose. the happi-
ness and true glory Of the whole Ameri-
lean people.
In offering the resolutions Mr.. Stew
art made the following explanation:
He said he had been careful observ-
er OF the current Of events since Con-
gress assembled, and he had come to
the conclusion that the proposition he
had submitted corresponds with the
prevailing sentiment in Congress-, and
Also in the country, as indicated i'm the
public press. He offered this without
expressing any opinion as to the pro-
priety or improperly of negro suffrage,
which he had studiously avoided OH all
occasions here.
! Senator Sumner met the proposition
in the most jubilant spirit. He came
promptly to his feet and said:
rise to welcome in the Senator from
Nevada (Mr. Stewart), a new convert 70
the necessity of colored suffrage on this
floor. l have maintained that colored
suffrage was the only guaranty for flu
ture peace and security in this country
l have insisted that it was a necessity,
and that without it your national debt
is imperilled; without it your freed
men will be in constant peril, and this
Republic cannoteljoy permanent peace.
And, Sir, l welcome with open arms the
Senator from Nevada. [Great Laughter. J
1t is understood that the resolutions
were suggested and prepared by ex- Reb-
ell Henry S. Foote, better known as
Hangman Foote, Mr.. Stewards father
in-law. The plan suggested seems to
open new and unthought of way out
of all the difficulties besetting Congress
and the peace and prosperity of our
whole country. The source from which
this proposition emanates gives it much
force and is very encouraging to the
hopes of loyal people and friends of
Equal Rights the Union over. We
hope this new light may be from the
open door leading to not only the resto-
ration of peace and the peaceful rights
! of all the States, but also return of har-
mony and brotherly love.
The New York Tribune says of these
resolutions:
Mr.. Stewards Reconstruction resolves
submitted yesterday to the Senate, are
about as right as anything we are like
lly to get. They may bear amendment
in minor details, but in principle and
substance they are sound and wise, as
well as humane. We commend them
to the earnest consideration, not merely
of the Reconstruction Committee, but
of Congress and the whole American
people.
THERE is a paper in Iowa county of
this State called the Progressive Repub-
kican; but it as far from being such as