The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-05-26

1t was once said, I think, by Joseph
Randolph. that ofan tinkers, the con-
stitution tinkers were the most to be
deprecated. ICheers. IF the old man
could rise from his grave, what would
he say tothe present Congress, In when
every third man, at least, tS consutu-
ton tinker. ECheeEs and laughter.
But they are not wise enough TO amend
that grand old instrument, the Work OF
our patriotic fathers, of the founders OF
the republic, the glory of the United
States, and. the admiration ofthe world.
[Cheers.l HI .fssE.gF
proposition that has been presented
which stands even the ghost ola chance
of acceptance by the people of the
North, and that is the proposition bas-
ing representation on voters. And
whose fault is It that it is not a part OF
the Constitution to-day Z Why was II
not submitted with the amendment
that3 [Cheers-"The copperheads." /"
Other voices-'sThad. Stevens."l Was
it the fault of Andrew Johnson
EShouts of-"The fault of Congress 81
aThad. Stevens - and counter cheers
for MIR. Stevens. If the course which
the president was pursuing was OBJ
noxious to the charges made against
itin the recess of Congress, how hap
pens It that there was no denunciati0n
oft until the meeting of Congress2 ,,i
How happened it that these Jupiter
Tonons Of Congress were as silent
as though they had been dumb3 Those
men whose duty It was to stand in the
ramparts of the Constitution and alarm
the people of fapproachingd danger. Why
did they not denounce that policy and
demand of the President of the United
~
such demand, was made; no such de-
nunciation was then heard. We did
hear a voice from Pennsylvania be-
lieve, and perhaps response from
Massachusetts. tLaughter.1 But the
people were silent. The Press was 81
lent, If fnotapproytng. Fellowrcltizens,
I did not intend speaking SO much.
10 say. have desired and hoped for
the continuation of this great Union
party, with which 1 have been ever
identified. [Cheers.l
But II its leaders can present nothing
better than the programme of the com
mittee, 1 am greatly apprehensive that
its days will be numbered. / trust,
fellow-citizens, that this will not be the
case-that it will discard its hostility
and attempt to continue alienation be-
tween the two sections of the country,
and that it will embrace those princi-
Piles which look to harmony, to restora-
tion, and to peace. If it should do this,
it will still continue to be the great and
controlling party of the country, and
cover itself with imperfshable glory.
If it does not, Its days are numbered
and the el .taph that will be written on
it will be, sit knew how to prosecute
the war with vigor, but 1t lacked wis.
dom to avail itself of the benefits Of
victory" CApplause and three cheers
for Secretary McCulloch.l
sPERoH OF PosrMAsrER-GENERA1 DEN
IsoN.
The serenading party next proceeded
to the residence Of Postmaster-G General
Denison, who, after repeated calls,
came forward and spoke as follows:
FeLLOtO Citizens: am not tile less
grateful to you for this call because oi
its being made on me in my official
character and as a membar of the Cabi-
net. and yet I am admonished by this
fact as well as by, the lateness of The
hour not to discuss many topics of pnb-
interest, upon which, under other cir
cumstances, might be glad TO express
my views. ~ .Es .-lit
may say, however, that we have
much reason TO felicitate ourselves on
the general condition of the country, in
view of the perils through which we
have so recently passed, and to congrat-
uIate ourselves on the promising future
that awaits us. It is true that the resto-
ration of the Southern States to all their
Constitutional relations to the General
Government, is not yet
So far as that duty or that consume
tion devolves on the Executive branch
of the Government, 1t has been fully
performed. IApplause.l Icannot now
recall any failure in this regard. With
the country knows what has been done
and what is doing. The close of the
war brought5withi Il the necessity ofre-
establishing the Federal authority in the
insurgent States as rapidly as possible,
and connecting with IL the duty of en-
couraging the reorganization OF local
governments in each OF these States.
attention OF the President and the Cabf-
net was early directed. With what
success need not point out to you.
think I venture not too5 far in say
ing that history furnishes no parallel
to such successs The Federal authority
has been esta blished, recognized and
obeyed in every State south of Mason
and Dixon's line. LApplause.l The lo-
cal governments In these States have
been reformed substantially to meet
their changed condition resulting from
abolition of slavery, and are now being
peaceably administered. Doubtless
there are provisions in the constitution
laws enacted by their Legislatures that
are not in consonance with the views of
the moral and liberty y-loving citizens of
the nation. ButIwe cannot reasonably
doubt that they will give place to bet
ter provisions and better laws under
the influence of the Federal Govern
ment and their own material necessi-
ties! a 166 -eb 81 .2s LiTitsa
But one thing remains, my fellow
citizens, to complete the work of re-
storation and TO clothel the Southern
States with all their constitutional
privileges, and that Is their representa-
tion in Congress. IApplause.l Upon
this, with the loyal millions of the
country I regret. deeply regret that
there is any difference between the
President and our friends in Congress.
But you will have observed that this
iifferencetis. not as to who shall repre-
sent the Southern States. Their loyal
" is to be tested by the taking of the
oath prescribed by the Gonstitutiouand
the laws acquired alike by the Presi-
dent aud Congress, and for every Sena-
tor and representative from every State
North and South. The difference then
Is not as TO who, but as, to when these
States shall be represented. Thewhole
theory Of the Executive programme Tor
the restoration of the Southern States
looks TO the admission of loyal Sena-
tors and Representatives from those
States-IApplausel while the congress
sional programme, as far as it has been
developed, looks to delay, conditioned
on the adoption ofcertain amendments
TO the Constitution. Now, my friends,
we must not overlook the fact that III
this difference be not adjusted 1t may
lead, and it viii lead, inall bflity,
70 unfoftunate results, not only TO the
Southern States, but 70 all the country,