The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-16

ing.) Not, TO be sure, as necessarily conditions
precedent tor admis sion; but their equity and
reasonableness no man can dispute. There
NUT be some Constitutional amendments
which, as matter of statesmanship l should
prefer to be put otherwise; but the need ot Con-
sututional amendments | have argued first
middle, and last, and still insist upon. Why, |
had full faith that they would be passed whether
the Southern States we're in or out, and would
be as much needed in as II they were out. The
evils OF not passing them, in the opinion of
some, would be less considerable than
otherwise, But am not OF that opinion;
have more hope and courage in the fu-
bability, certain to be opposed. One thug,
however, is certain-that the Constitutional
amendment will pass. (Cheers.) No matter
what think and hope, think it would be best
were admitted and society settled in them. l
am not the Republican party; am only true
member OF it (cheers), with liberty to express
my Judgment OF what might best be done, and
everybody has the same right. And while,
though not in matter OF principle, not In
vital matter OF truth, but in q mere matter of
policy, what shall do? Not refuse 10 work.
Tins Is not the business Of a citizen. No. Tde
same reason that led me once to urge the ad-
mission of the Southern States without this
change in the Constitution now leads me to
urge upon the Southern people a prompt
acCcptation of the amendment, so that
the whole work of reconstruction may be
CoDsummated and the question put out OF the
way. (Cheers.) The Democratic party as | I'm der
SIdnu III, WOuIu leave tue OdCkS WHOLLY 10 lOC III
law. Now, believe the nation to be under the
most solemn obligations of honor to secure that
liberty which the freedmen have earned. What
shall secure II may well divide mems opinions.
Some n en- may be more saneuine than others.
Some, far more couraeeoHs and hopeful than
Others, propose that they shall be secured beyond
all peiadvenCure. Great cheering.) The right
OF this no reasonable man can doubt / am not
in favor OF legislature that leaves the work as
IL Is, trusting to the future. IL seems 70 me that
delay of Itself is an evil. l felt that the wound
between North and South. to use a surgical
term. should be healed by ''irst intention" and
that 1t was not necessary to put in "seton" to
keep the sore running. believe that mere legs-
lation will not protect the blacks. / will not be
misunderstood upon this subject. believe in the
nC Cesslty ut laws Just believe In the necessity
OF fences around farm. You may put in the
crops; they may promise you everything, but
the bOars and wild beasts will break in and
destroy your unprotected crops; but fences
without crops are unprohtable to the husband
man. Cheers and laughler.) What is law
without public sentiment behind it? Who exc
cutes the law To be sure, the officers of the
law. What makes the officers execute them
d course the pubic sentiment which lies be-
hind the law. Bot a law in New York which
the intelligent citizen dsbelieves in you cannot
tind an officer 10 execute IL falls dead. That
VIII ch gives power and dignity and success to
la " is the VIII, the heart, and the intelligence
Oi the great community. (Cheers.) IL is public
sentiment which executes the law. Ii l speak
strongly upon this point you must excuse me.
where the known jealousy OF the people is op-
poted TO intrusion from abroad. We know there
how difficult it was for an accomplished minister
to come in amongst us without being esteemed.
Without such introduction he would be treated
as u heathen. II, them teachers and school
misresses 60 South; II there Is to be Il cordial
understanding between the people North and
South, you must prepare the way for il. | be-
heSe ill the good in enliops of the people of the
South. | do not think the Mississippi valley is
the south. 1t all the South was like that State
/ N a an ENnln lhaag coli l.,
not think that the feelings which prevail
around the Sea LANDS OF the South is the
South. look at the South as a whole, and
my impression is that they treated the biac <
man as well as ii was in the nature of slavery to
treat him. | have great faith in the honor and
good intentions Of the South. am not ashamed
to say that my heart goes out to wards them.
am not ashamed when ten years shall have
| passed away to have il understood that there
was one man, an abolitlonist OF the darkest dye,
had yearning for this portion of his country
| men, and who was sorry in their sorrows-sorry
| Tor their mistakes-and though indignant at
their crimes, and eager to vindicate justice yet
| after the war was over, yea1ned for their ad-
| mission to the Union, believing in every mans
| word. Not that l would leave the South with
| out law, but would hasten the law and sur
| round it with testimonials of kindness, that
| there might be a beginning OF public sentiment
that would make these laws valid and operative
| (Cheers.) This is my faith and my heresy, and
| nov will, with your permission, draw very
near TO the cOnclusiOn-towards what we have
been striving to attain. The night is far spent,
| and l think the day is at hand; and by tokens,
Ger ain as thunders in the sky, we know what
| the verdict of the people is to be. We know
| who are to hold power for the next two years.
| (Cheers.) We know and rejoice in it; nay,
| would have every vote doubled, not IN the
| Democratic sense Qaughter), but would win two
Tor every one that is cast; for deem it import.
ant that the testimony OF the North shoul be
| given with volume and Yastness and decisive
| ness that shall admit of no misunderstanding,
| and that when they take their places OF power
| and administration again, it shall be with all
the North behind them and endorsing them. 1t
is good lesson for those among them that
| might be mischiefmakers, and 1t will do no
| hahn TO those who are not mischiefmakers
among, them. And when once our power is
| assured, then we can have our own criticisms
an ong ourselves. There Is a right OF
div ersity of opinion in the Republican party.
we have right to adopt expedient measures,
but when once they have been settled and
determined, we are to put shoulder to shoulder,
hand IN hand, and with lock step and unbroken
ranks to go forward and to maintain the Gov
eminent and the country (cheers), still retain
lne the tight to criticize and still retaining the
rl?ht TO urge measures which seem to me to be
wise and right shall do it still with iealty to
the great cause and to the great party with
Which have grown up, aud in which verify
believe nheres the honor, the liberty the dignity,
ara the power OF our couutry. Fellow.ct,zena,
Il lew more years and we shall smile where nov
VIC scoWl we shall look back to the whrlwinds
OF leellng and suaLge fantastic notions oil
Vflons that sometimes danced ath wart us;
We shall look back as we do to every excited
period and marvel how we were carried
away, IL will be that period when kind
ness shall come back agaln-when new men
will come up with nobler principles than
their ancestors when there shall be no rent in
the seamless garment of hberty-when the
world shall see that this Govern ment is compe
tent 20 all the functions of administration within
and wlthout-when the nations of the earth
wlich have long gIoanel in bondage, looking
upon TINS spectacle of sublime self government