The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-05-17

Juu OOtuhtOuWOullu udu HOhO. hV
spoke to-day for tho party which was
for the commonwealth aud for the
speedy restoration TO their constitu-
tional relations of the lato insurrec-
tfonary States under such perpetual
guarantees as would guard tho future
ofthe Republic against the sad calami.
ties that had, in these late years, bo-
fallen it.
AS to the third section he believed
it gave no strength to the amendment,
although he agreed with Mr., Banks,
that the people had the authority to dis
franchise the enemies of the Govern
ment. But he submitted whether, if
that section were to be insisted on, it
would not be better TO incorporate it
in ono Of the pending bills, instead OF
putting it in the Constitution?
Mr.. Stevens suggested that they
would have the bill vetoed.
Mr.. Bingham replied that he was
not fearful of any veto from the other
end of the avenue that could defeat
the final triumph OF the Constitutional
Amendment. What was 10 be gained
by the retaining this third section p
1t had been said that it was incapable
of execution, and it was his own opln.
ion an amendment to the Constitution
which was not to be executed ought
not 10 be put in the Constitution.
Mr.. Stevens closed the debate He
saiL~he was very glad to sec the great
unanimity existing among all true
friends of the Union ir the House up
on all the provisions Of the proposed
amendment except tho third section,
but he was grIoved to see any diviS-
ioa among them upon what he con-
sidcred tho vital proposition Of tho
whole amendment Without it, it a.
mounted to nothing Without it, hc
would not give the snap Of his finger
whether the Joint Resolution was pas.
sed or not. If it failed, there would
DO no power lett among tho friends of
the Union in the next Congress to
carry out the measures of the Govern
mont.
Here ensued II scene of confusion
in the hall, arising from the members
crowding around and drawing near to
Mr.. Stevens.
The Speaker directed the members
TO take their seats.
Mr.. Stevens, resuming. said he sho' d
be sorry if the third section was struck
out, because, then, before any portion
Of the amendment could be pnt into
operation, the other side of the House
would be filled with yelling secession.
lists and approving Copperheads,-
"Givc us therefore," he continued
"the third section, or give us nothing
DO not mock us with the prctcnse o
an amendment which throws the I'm
ion into the hands OF its enemies
The gentlemen say we are striving iol
party. When that party is necessary
to save the Union, | say rally to your
party, and save that party or you
lose the Union. / do not hesitate to
say that that section is there to save
or destroy the Union. Gentlemen
tell us it is too strong. Too strong
for what? Some say for their stom
achs, but not for the people. Some
say it is too lenicnt. 1t is too lcnien
for my hard heart. Would to Goo
that the exclusion of rebels might no
only run to the year 1876, but TO tht
year 1916. 1t would then be too mile
punishment. But | hear il said, 'Yol
must not humble these people Hum
BILE them Why not? DO not they dc
serve humiliation Do not they dc
serve dcgradationP If thcy do not
who does2 What animal or ielon dc
serves it more? They have not yc
confessed their sins. Why shouI
they be forgiven2 lie who admins
ters justice and mercy never forgive
until tho sinner confesscs his sins an
humblos himself at the footstool {
power, and wo should not forgiv
any more than He. II they arc [
como back, let them como back i
sackcloth and ashes Let them com
back aud ask forgiveness, and then Il
us consider whom we shall forgive an
whom we shall exclude. That is m
principle. All regret is that this
not sufficiently stringent"
let not these friends of secession
,sccessionists sing to me their haIcyo
songs peace and good will until the
can stop my ears 10 the shricks an
groans Of tho dying victims at Mem
phis-a sccnol moro horrible in it
atrocities, though not to tho samo cS
tent, than the terrible tragedy OF JG
maica, While | am willing those ret
ol States shall be represented hero,
pray you not to admit those who hav
caused tho slaughter Of millions OF on
eountrymon, while their clothes ar
still wet with blood. Wait till the
are differently clad. do not want t
sit side by side with men whose GA,
mcnts smell Of the blood Of my kin
dred.
Gentlemen forget the scenes tn
took place here twenty years az
when the mighty Toombs, with h
shaggy locks, headed the Southern fir
eaters with shouts Of Defiance AZ
rendered this house a hell of lcgisl
,tion. They seem TO forget tho seen
,enGeled here six years ago, bolo
Southern members left tho hall to 10
the armies Of CatOline; and whom, q
couragod by their allies, they can
over here in one yelling body, bccau
speech for freedom was being ma
,On this side, and when the rulli,