The Emporia news. [volume] (Emporia, Kan.) 1859-1881, 1866-01-27
RECONSTRUCTION.
Speech of Gen. Lane, Delivered at Leav-
enwOFth, an. 5th, 1850.

IALo war LuAu auy OtHcT lOyd Obdlo, III pro-
portion to its numbers. The Union party
of Kansas contributed more toward mould
ing public opinion and directing the poli-
cy which controlled that war, than the
Union party of any other loyal State. By
its ssgaeity snd sacrifices it has, in my
opinion, placed itself in 80 exalted posi-
ton that no one mao of the party is so pre-
eminent that he is authorized tn speak for
or commit that party.
Believing this, have come to you for
the purpose of consulting with you upon
the great questions upon which l will, in
few days, be called upon to vote. Those
votes, upon these great questions, desire
to be yours. am your Represent ative,
and wouldybe pleased to cast your votes,
but If cannot it would then be my pleas
ure to give place to another who can.
The restoration of this country is of par
amount importance. For almost thirty
years we have been partially divided. Ere
quently before 1861 have we been forced
to the very verge Of an insurrecrion-upon
slavery basis, If you please. For the lat
five years we have been actually divided
one portion of the country arrayed in arms
against the other-a people controlled by
their devotion to the Institution Of slavery,
seeking to overthrow the government of
their fathers. This division has weakened
our influence among the nations of the
earth, and it is at this m )m ent of the
highest importance that we should present
a united front. In the midst of our do
mestic troubles Napoleon has established a
monarchial government at our very doors.
and our history demands that usurpation
shall be pushed into the sea. Applause.
Restore these States into their practical
working position in the Union. aud Maxi.
milan can be thrust from Mexico without
the expense of another war.
Spain is making encroachments upon one
of our sister South American republics.
Unite these States and Spain will withdraw
her navy without a war. Unite these States,
and England will be obliged without war
to pay dollar for dollar for all the damage
inflicted upon our commerce by her cruis
ers. Unite thee States OF America upon
q free basis and unity, prosperity and wealth
will be ours for all time.
have como TO you, as | have said, to
consult upon the question connected with
the restoration OF the Union. l have also
come, hoping that can take back with me,
from the Union men of Kansas, an express
ion of opinion which will be authoritative to
your Representatives. do desire that the
Kansas Congressional delegation may be
unit in faithfully carrying out the wishes
of the Union party fthe State. That you
may have an opportunity of expressing that
opinion, l have, 10 connection with other
Union mea, had prepared series of reso
lutions, which 1 now propose to have read
to you, and after l have feebly attempted
to maintain the opinions expressed in these
resolutions, and after discussion, l will ask
a vote upon them.
ResOlved, That the theory of recon
strnction a. promulgated in the message of
President Johnson, and his administration
OF public affairs in accordance there with,
both before and since the meeting of Con-
gress, met with our hearty appreciation,
and We pledge to him in arduous uuderta-
king, our unreserved confidence and sup
port.
ResolUed, That in the adjustment of the
interests of the late Iebellious States With
the Federal Government, and the Northern
States, the efforts of the President TO Ger
feet reconciliation and harmony that shall
remove the animosities and distrusts pro-
duced by years of excitement aud terrible
war, receive our Warmest CONNIE ndation.
RESOLVED, That the theory upon which
the war was conducted for four years, un-
der the direction of our late lamented Pres
ident, adopted and consistently maintained
by President johnson, that the normal
rights and status of the States lately in re.
bellion, were suspended, not destroyed, is
both constitutional and commendable.
RESOLVED, That the proposed amendment
to the Constitution, making actual suffrage
the basis Of Teprssen ton, is both eq0ita6le
and just. Isl.
Resolved, That the faithful services and
unexceptionable loyalty of the freedmen
during the war, demand the passage and
enforcement Of laws both Federal and
State, that shall secure beyond any reason
able doubt their complete protection from
oppression and the fullest enjoyment to
them OF personal liberty and the rights Of
property that we approve Of the institution
and workings of the Freedmen's Bureau.
and regard IL as . powerful auxiliary to this
end, and deem its continuance a necessary
safeguard until the rights of the freedmen
are placed beyond jeopardy.
AT the threshold of the questions involV-
ed In the restoration Of the country, we
find the question as TO the status of the
States recently in rebellion against the Gov
eminent. There is q respectable number,
IN talent ct least. of our statesmen, who
have expressed the opinion that these States
had lost their place IN the Union, as States,
and now occupy the position of territories.
We have had, in Kansas, believe, but one
opportunity Of ascertaining the opinion Of
our people upon ihis question. Your ReD.
sentative in Congress, perhaps three wear.
ago, gifted man; aye, one of the Favorit,
soma of Kansas IN his place in the Con
gress Of the United States advocated IN.
opinion that the rebellious States we're out
aide the Union. ! believe with one ACCORD
the Union men OF Kansas decided sgains
T"7fp ti.ie I