The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-05-26

ment to the federal constitution the third .eo
ton OF the proposed article being In the.e
terms: 49, 'A'''
SEC. 3. Until the fourth day of july 1870 all
persons who voluntarialy ad hered to the late in.
ciuded from the right to vote for member, of con-
gress and for electors Of president and vice presi
dent OF the United States,
at is urged by the advocates of this plan
that the third section is the vital one. without
WI Oh others are of no value. Its exclusive
action will no doubt commend it to the feel
lngs OF many as wise and Just provision
put am unable 50 to regard it, because for
tour years 1t binds congress to exclude from
voting Tor representatives or presidential
electors all persons who voluntarily adhered
to the late rebellion, giving it aid and comfort,
no matter what may be the condition of the
country, nor what proofs of present or future
loyalty may be given. An absolute bar is to
be erected for four years against large clase
| OF persons. Change of circumstances aud con-
| dition often work rapid changes in party and
| political sentiments, and nowhere with more
| marked results than In the south. 1t is be-
| lieved that the elements of change are now
at work there, stimulating on one eide to 10y
| atty, and on the other tending to continued
hostile feeling. In my judgemen every prop
1
| cherished; and for congress to limit it's own
power by constitutional am endment for pc
| riod of four years might be deplorable in its
| results. To those who differ 1 accord the
same honesty, and perhaps greater wisdom
| than | can claim for myself. AS the propos.
| ed plan now stands, | am unable to perceive
the necessity, justice, or wisdom of the meas.
| ure; but having no place nor voice In the
| body before which the measure is pending,
disclaim any purpose to interfere beyond the
| expression of my own opinion.
| Having thus declared my views, they
| have heretofore been declared to those who
had the right to know them, on the material
| questions that have lately arisen, or are now
pending, l trust that your purpose on this &C.
casion is answered; and | shall be gls1 if
their expression may have any beneficial in
fiuenee on questions, the right disposition
| whereof is a. matter of solicitude to every pat
riotic man, and is deeply important to the
peace and tranquility of the country. Rec
ognizing the constitutional power of all the
coordinate branches of the government
the Legislative, judicial, and executive,-and
| entertaining for each the respect which is due
from every loyal citizen, they are entitled to,
| and shall receive, according to my best Judge
ment, the support which is required by that
constitution, which. after an unexampled con-
fict, has been upheld and sanctifed by d.
vine favor and through the sacrifice Of so
much blood and treasure"
REMARKS OF sEc'Y M'cULLocH.
The secretary of the treasury was next
called on Mr.. MCulloch said
"FELLow-C ITIzENs-My position, gentle
men, III reference TO the issues which are
now engaging the public attention, Is not, |
apprshsnd, misu nderstood by You. Cheers
l will say, therefore, as | suppose must say
something on this occasion, that the general
| policy of the president in reference to the
southern states and people. recently In arms
| against the federal government has common
ded itssifto my deliberate judgement cheers |;
and, although it has been violently and In
some instances viudictively assailed, | have
sn abiding conviction that it will be approved
| by the people when they shall be allowed To
pass Judgement upon 1t at the ballot-boX.
suppose, gentlemen. that none of us expected
| that. at the close of this great war, In which
much bsd blood had been excited, and more
| good blood she'd we should have bright
skies and calm skies. We anticipated that
at the close of this war, great questions
would come " for settlement. the discussion
Of which would be likely TO agitate thus
, country-to shake 1t, perhaps, from center tC
, circumference hut we knew, also, -thzt the
people had not been wanting in any previous
would be prepared 10 cope with, and settle
satisfactorily, any questions that might be
presented in the future Applause. That
faith is strong with us now. We have faith
in the people, and faith in sthat good provi
, idence which, having led this nation through
the red sea OF battle, is not likely to desert II
row that the dreadful pasasge has been ac
complshed. His policy is straightforward
| intsll gihle, practical. If q batter policy can
I 10 I'D ma yst
the princi Plies ofour government, better cal
culated to preserve thu supremacy OF federal
; authority, while it trenches not on the re-
, served and legitimate rights Of tho states
. more lust mora humane better fitted to bind
the people of this great country In common
brotherhood, a. the same time that 1t places
, Just condemnation on treason, and yinGIcates
he majesty Of the lsw-it such policy car
be presented. there is no man in the United
; States who will more willingly embrace il
than Andy Johnfon hearty cheers bu
until that better policy IL presented, he mus
| be false to himself, false to bis record, anC
must, IN fact cease to be Andrew johnson, i
:. he does not adhere TO his policy, and sink OF
swim with it. Cheers. 1t is pretty good
evidence after al, gentlemen, of the correct
= ness of his policy, that congress, after having
! been in session nearly six long,weary months
. has been unable TO present one which they
| CHI agree upVh "a lNbSSiC aiiS
laughter 1t was once said think by JohI
! | Randolph, that, of all tinkers, the constitu
: | tion-tinkers were the most 10 be deprecated
2 | Cheers. II the cid man could rise tr.m hi
t grave. what would he say to tho present con
gress, in which every third man. at least. is
constitution-tnker? Cheers and laughter
But they are not wise enough u amend tina
y | grand old lnstrument-the work Of our faith
;; ers of tbs founders Of the republic, the glory
= of the United States and the admiration o
9 the world. Cheers Ny fellow citizens
.' there is but one proposition that has beer
presented which stands even the ghost of &
J. chance of acceptance by the people of th'
: north, and that is the proposition basing rep
resentation on votes. And whose fault is i
: that it is not part of the constitution to
!. day? Why was it net submitted with tn
amendment abolishing slavery? Who's
! fault was that? Was it the fault of Andrew
johnson? Fellow citizens, | have only thi.
to say: have desired and hoped for the con
Z tinuaton of this great Union party witt
which have ever been identified but, if it.
leaders can represent nothing better than tn
programme Of the committee, | am greatly