The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-02-16

the bill TO tx the military peace establishment Of the
NJ s,.vAsr. Gsp) a. Nevada, wished to call up the
Mr. Coss.ss lrepl Of ca hoped The latter bin would
be taken up ne thought the army bill could be post
Mr. WILSON said there pressing need for action ON
the service who were entitled 10 their discharge and
ought TO be discharged but could not well be dispensed
With ~, until Sr.s the regular army vas incressed
disposed OF In the morning hours would certainly lead
Mr. STEWART thought It was due to the Senators and
Representative elect from Coora 10 70 dispose of This bill
Is soon az possible.
i, N, L4S., rep Of Kansas, appealed to Mr. wilson to
Mr.. WILSON said that from what he had learned he
knew the Colorado bill would lead to a fight
Mr. LANE said the only question In the Colorado bill
suffrage.
M, SUMNER said it was great question whether a
hundred persons should be shut out from the right OF
suffrage on account Of color. 1t was not little ques-
ton, as ntmated by Mr.. Lane. 1t might BIO little to
him. but great principle TO the country II was
also question whether Colorado had a population to
warrant the admission Of two Senators here put
on an equality with New York and Pennsylvania.
MI LANE OF Kansas, said-It does come with very
GOOD grace from the Senator from Massachusetts, say
TO me that regard this Little question: who has
ought to be secure from such imputaton as that
Mr. SusNER-I only used the Senator's words.
MI. LANE, Of Kansas used no such language.
Mr. SUMNER-Then misunderstood the Senator.
Mr. LANE, Of Kansas only said the question as
TO granting suffrage 10 hundred blacks in Colorado
and that question being discussed day by day. Upon
this question, pending before the Senate, let say
the Senator from Massachusetts that the question of
negro suffrage is important to me as to him II occu
pies and absorbs me as much as him. It has occupied
me for eleven long We may differ and presume
we will as to the manner Of granting that right and as
giving to any man over twentyone years age the right
OF suffrage in the Union that question important TO
me as II Is to him.
Messrs. spRAGUE, (rep) of R. L. and GRIMES (rep OF
Iowa. spoke Of the bill for the increase of the regular
army as Of more Importance to the country than the
Mr. STEWART demanded the yeas and nays on taking up
the Military bill, but afterwards withdrew the demand
and the Senate voted to take It up.
The bill establish and fix the peace establishment of
the United States reported by the Military Committee
on Tuesday last, was then taken up and read
THE REPRESENTATION CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
The morning hour having expired the pending amend
ment TO the constitution of the United States on the sub
ject OF representation was taken up
Mr. WILLIAMS, trep) OF Oregon, took the floor He did
not believe the Southern States the Union in the
sense that New York was in it, nor out Of in the sense
that Canada and Mexico out OF it. The relations
which ought TO slbss between the and the
states had been disturbed regarded the Southern
States He did not matter Of fact that all the pso
pie Of South Carolina were rators but majority Of them
did seize upon the State government and make IL the
mere incorporation OF the individual traitors OF the State
There were two kinds Of treasOn-political and legal
When Satan vas overthrow by force he attempted 20
accomplish his object by guile and deceit. And it
seemed to him that the rebels Of the South having b,en
beaten by the North in the field Of war; following
the example OF their great prototype They were seek
70 accomplish under amnesty Oaths what thew
not a. under arms in the field These States, whether
or out Of the Union, entitled to the rights and
privileges Of the other States
Mr. SiEwAIT asked him whether he thought the State
OF Tennessee should he included among States that
had forfeited their rights.
Mr.. WILLIAMS said he would come to that presently.
He proceeded to discuss the validity of the secession
ordinances. Whether constitutional or not they were
operative and had the same effect If constitutional
parallel case was the legal tender law. The con.
sttutopaty Of that law had been questioned but still
had furnished means for carrying on the var just IL
the ordinances Of SECESSION whether valid not they
severed for time the connection between the govern.
mcnt and the States They practically operative
in these States and pursuant to them their State govern
ments were organized into eleven States which organized
war which made the nation trenbe from centre to cir
conference. Mr.. Williams next discussed the alleged
obligation OF the government to the rebel debt He
denied any such obligation, saying there no prcce-
dent for 1t and there would be justice in IT,
Commenting on the speeches Of Messrs johnson and
Dooltto, he said the lately rcbeous States re in the
hands OF Congress TO do just what II thought best for the
welfare of the country He denied that the apporton.
ment OF taxes among the Southern States committed
Congress TO tho recognition Of their state
Congress had perfect right to legslae for the suppress
sion OF the rebellion and to collect that pur-
pose. The apportionment bill proved nothing ri IL
proved that the Southern States had right to rcpresen
tation no~ Il proved that they had it then-
had repeatedly committed itself against this doctrine.
Speaking OF the Presidents policy, he said that the
first President Johnsons action showed that he regarded
the Southern States of their proper relations with
the federal government. He did wish censurc or
crtcsc The President though he doubted his power
rcorganize State governments Commanderin Chief of
the Army. He thought there too much
Importance In the public mind on tho subject
oil reconstruction. Time had great deal TO accomplish
which time alone could do. II took years alter
the las; British flag went down before the government
was formed aud Congress was now being denounced for
not admitting the consprators In the late in
Congress II was due 10 the magn tude OF the subject
proceed cautiously in this great work He cordially
dorscd the prevailing sentiments Of Mr. Summers speech
but lie did not believe Mr. Summers proposition
practicable at tho present tine He believed IL the
groes were admitted TO vote Immediately they would he
led IN liz
Of the South III TO vote they have time
TO lea But he hoped the day not far distant when
every born American would be endowed with the
elective franchise He objected Ia Mr.. Hcnderson's
amendment because wo ID prevent tho States from
excluding Indians from the right OF suffrage.
Mr.. HENDERSON, trep.) of No., said Mr. Williams was
mistaken. Indians were not citizens OF the United
States and therefore could not vote They cspe
ciay declared not citizens by law recently passed
Mr. WILLIAMS said that the law referred 20 liable
be repealed at any tme wher as this a coustiiu.
liarns then endorsed the proposition othe COMMITTEE on
Reconstruction the best before the Senate
In conclusion he referred to tho Presidents policy He
gave hun great credit Tor pure and patriotic motives hut
without violating any rule OF proprcy he thought he
might be allowed 20 enter opinion that the President
had made mistake In the unlimited exercise Of the par
doning power. The South bad not acted In good faith
II had shown hatred and malice and contempt and def
ancc seemed as IL there was nothing that would to oh
the hearts OF the Southern people Except the irresistible
power of the government II might be well TO make an
experiment with Tennessee and allow her to he
represented in Congress 10 whether loyal would
control the State and whether the white people would
treat the negroes properly He was sorry 10 hear the
that the Frecdmen's Bureau bill would lead dissou.
ton OF the Union This the gentleman who re-
ported IN the Chicago Convention resolution declaring
Mr. GUTHRIE (dem.) Of Ky, sad Mr. williams mis-
understood his remarks He said the Frcedmens Bureau
compish what the rebels failed do As 10 the Chicago
Convention referred to- II had only declared the
failure up to that time.
Mr. WILLIAMS concluded his remasks
Mr. HENDERSON took the floor, but said he pre-