The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-03-28
ANOTHER PLAN FOR THE RE-OR-
GANIzATIoN OF THE SOUTHERN

ANOTHER PLAN FOR THE RE-OR-
GANIZATIoN OF THE SOUTHERN
STATES.
Mr. Stewart, (rep) of Nevada, introduced
the folloying joint resolution, whichs was
referred to the joint Committee on Recon-
struction =
Whereas in the present distracted condi-
ton of the country it is eminently proper
and necessary that all just and constitutional
means should be employed for thequieting
of popular excitement the removal Of I'M
reasonable prejudice and the obliteration of
all hostile feelings growing out OF the late
unhappy civil war and whereas one of the
most prolific sources of unfriendly settlement
is the conflict of opinion existing on fhe sub
ject of negro suffrage; and where's It is now
most evident that there is no probability
whatever that Senators aud RaJ entafiycs.
in Congress from the States whose people
were lately in insurrection will be allowed to
occupy the seats to which they have been
elected until such States shall have complied
with certain fundamental conditions, a por-
ton of which are hereinafter recited and
whereas it is unreasonable to expect the re-
establishment of harmony and good feeling
as long as the eleven Southern States whose
people were recently in insurrection are pre-
vented from resuming their ancient relations
to this government, therefore, be it
ReSolred, first, that each of said States
whose people were lately in insurrection, as
aforesaid, shall be recognized as having full
ly and yalidly resumed its former relations
with this government, and its chosen repre-
sentatives shall be admitted into the two
houses of the National Legislature when
ever said State shall have so amended its
constitution as to do away with all existing
distinctions as to civil rights and disabilities
among the various classes of its population
by reason either of race or color, or previous
condition of servittde; second, to repudiate
all pecuniary Indebtedness which said State
may have heretofore contracted, incurred or
assumed with the late unnatural and trea-
sonable war; third, to yield all claim to COM
pensation on account of the liberation of
its slaves; and fourth, to provide for the ex-
tension of the elective franchise to all per-
sons upon the same terms and conditions,
making no discrimination On account of
race color or previous condition of servi-
tude; prorided, that those who were quail
fed to vote in the year 1860, by the laws of
their respective States, shall not be dsfran-
chised by reason of any new test or condi-
tions which have been or may be prescribed
since that year.
Resolred, That after the aforesaid condi-
tions have been complied with and the same
shall have been ratified 10y majority of the
present voting population of the State, in
Guiding all those qualifed'to vote under the
laws thereof as they existed in 1860, gen.
eral amnesty shall be proclaimed in regard
to all persons in such State who were in any
way connected with armed opposition to the
government of the United States, wholly ex-
onerating them from all pains, penalties or
disabilities to which they may have become
liable by reason of connection with the re-
belliOn
Resotrrd, Tint in view of the thoroegh as
similation of the basis of suffrage IN tiierv va
rious States of the Union, all other States
not above specified shall be respectfully re-
quested to incorporate an amendment in
their State constitutions respectively cores
ponding with the one specified.
Resoleed, That in the adoption of the afore-
said resolutions it is not intended to assert a
coercive power ON the part of Congress in
regard to the regulation of the right of suf-
frage in the different States of the Union, but
only to make a respectful and earnest appeal
to their own good sense and love of country,
with view to the prevention of serious evils
now threatened, and to the peaceful perpetu-
alton of the repose, the happiness and true
glory OF the whole American people.