The Portland daily press., 1866-05-25

pointed by him to be unwise and unconstt.u,,-
tional. Concurring in the object of the Dill,
and regarding the power as temporary anu
safe in his hands, l advised its approval, put
having been returned to Congress with the
Presidents objections, and having tailed OF the
needlul support, it is no longer living meas
ure nor the subject of debate or OF difference
OF opinion. .tr ..,... ,.5 1904
Another Congressional measure, called the
Clvil Rights Bill, has been the subject OF con
tlct. That bill, now a law, has Tor its object
the security ofciyil rights in the insurrecllon-
airy States. 1t was well observed by the PreS-
ldent IN his annual message, shat peaceful
emigration to the Southern States is one OF
the best means that can be thought OF for the
restoration of harmony" Its possible inter
ference with such emigration was one OF the
chief objections to military rule, and by some
it is thought that the influence OF class legis-
lation in favor of the slaye-holding monopoly
heretofore existing in the Southern States
would still be strongly exercised to prevent
peaceful emigration into those States, ana
would exclude the laboring population of the
North from that vale ofexuberant fertility ana
friendly climate, that productive region EN-
bracing the eight or nine States nearest the
Gulf of Mexico, and that hence civil rights IN
these States should be viglantly protected by
the Federal laws and Federal tribunals. Al
though the measures enacted by Congress- for
this purpose failed to receive the Executive
sanction, yethaving been adhered to bya two
thirds votein each House, they have now pass
ed to the statute book and ceased TO be the sub
ject of debate.
Another measure or series of measures. OF
prime Importance, now pending before Con-
gress, merit brief remark, namely: the plan
Of restoration, or Reconstruction, as 1t Is some
times called. To the plan reported by the
Joint Committee have been unable to give
my assent. 1t contemplates an amendment
to the Federal Coustitution-the third section
of the proposed article being in these terms
"Section 3. Until the fourth day OF Julyin
the year 1870, all persons who voluntarily ad-
hered to the late insurrection, giving it aid and
comfort, shall be excluded from the right to
vote for representatives in Congress, and cleo
tors for President and Vice President of the
United States" 10 ed Iur- y1.a.- ta
1t is urged by the advocates of this plan that
this third section is the vital one, without
which the others are OF no value. Its exclu-
sive action will no doubt commend it to the
feelings of many, as wise and just provision.
But am unable so to regard it, because iof
years it bids Congress to exclude from voting
for representatives or Presidential electors all
persons who voluntarily adhered to the late
insurrection, giving it1'aid and comfort; no
matter what may be the condition Of the
country nor what proofs Of present OF future
loyalty may be given, an absolute bar is to be
erected for four years against a large class OF
persons. Change OF circumstances and condi-
ton often work rapid change in party and
political sentiments, and nowhere with more
marked results than in the South. 1t is be-
lieved that elements of change are now at
work there, stimulating on one side to loyal
ty and on the other tending to continued hos
tile feeling. Inmy judgment every proper in
element to Union should be fOstered and
cherished, and Tor Congress to limit its own
powers by Constitutional amendment for the
period of four years might be deplorable in
its results. To those who differ with me 1 ac-
cord the same honesty and perhaps greater
wisdom than / can claim for myself, AS the
proposed plan now stands am unable to per-
ceive the necessity, justice on wisdom OF the
measure, but having no place or voice in the
body before which the measure is pending, L
dlsclaim any purpose to interfere beyond the
expression OF my own opinion. Having thus
declared my views as they. have heretofore
been declared TO those who had right TO
know them, on the material questions that
have lately arisen, or are now pending, trust
that purpose on this occasion is answered,
and shall be glad if their expression may have
any beneficial influence on the question, the
right disposition whereof is matter of solic-
itude to every patriotic man, and is deeply inn
portant TO the peace and tranquility of the
country. Recognizing the constitutional pow
er of all the coordinate branches of the Gov
ernment--the Legislative, Judicial and Ex-
ecutive-and entertaining for each the respect
| which is due from every loyal citizen they
are entitled to, and shall receive, according to
| my best judgment, the support which is re-
| quired by that Constitution which after un-
exampled conflict has been upheld and sancti-
fed by divine favor, and through the sacrifice
| Of SO much blood and treasure. 4.l4.a a..a