Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1866-12-19

peting for his seat in the Senate, but he
| was satisfied the Senator was most worthy,
and hoped he would be reelected. There
were in the States an insignificant number
of rascals who desired to seize the govern
ment, bat were two weak to do it in them
| selves.
Mr. Trumbnll angrily retorted saying,
he had not shaped his course for re-elec.
ton, and regretted that Senator Davis
could never rise above personal considera-
tons.
Mr. Summer, from the Committee on
Foreign Relations, reported joint resolu-
ton rendering the thanks Of Congress to
Cyrus W. Field, with the Recommendation
that it be passed. Also q bill to prevent
and punish fraudulent representations to
induce immigration from the United States
to foreign countries.
Mr.. Wilson presented a protest from Mrs
Gen. Grant, Mrs. Secretary Welles and
other managers of the Soldiers and Sail
ors' Orphans Home, against the passage OF
House bill establishing a new hoard Of d.
rectors for that institution.
The Committee on Finance asked to be
discharged from further consideration OF
the memorial of the clerks Of the govern
ment departments for increased compensa-
ton, which was granted.
Mr.. Edmunds, of Vermont, on leave, pre-
sented bill 10 prevent illegal voting in
the District of Columbia, making illegal
voting penal offense
Mr.. Pomery, Of Kansas, on leave, intro
duced bill to equalize the distribution Of
the currency of the national banks in the
several States and Territories, which was
referred to the Committee. on Finance.
The Senate, on motion of Mr.. Wade, of
Ohio, proceeded to the consideration of the
bill for the admission of Nebraska as a
State. The pending question was on the
amendment OF Mr.. Brown, of Missouri,
providing that there should be no restric-
ton of suffrage on account of race or color.
Mr.. Wade hoped to see the day when that
principle would prevail over every State in
the Union. 1t had been said that there
was precedent for thus treating the rights
of State coming into the Union, but that
act had been condemned by the most dis
tinguished legal men. Another principle
was that the general government had not
the power to fix the quail. fcations of voters
in States-all excepting the States that had
forfeited their rights. There was no doubt
of the jurisdiction of Congress where the
State had been in rebellion.
Mr.. Summer asked if Congress might not,
in its discretion, refuse TO admit State !;
and if so, was not this fit case for rejee-
ton, under existing circumstance
Mr.. Wade said that was the question
now to be decided, and that Congress had
the power, and be thought it was more i'm
portant that loyal territory should be ad-
mitted than disloyal States. He said that
Nebraska would be up to high water mark
in favor of human rights, and he wanted to
strengthen the cause of liberty by her adj
mission. 1t might have been right to fix
this qualification on a slave State, bat
nothing could be more unlike than a slave
State that had forfeited all its rights, and
loyal territory asking admission. Many of
the rebel States had rejected the magnani-
nous terms, and when they reject these
terms, he was in favor of severe ones.
Mr.. Summer asked if he thought those
State governments were so far valid that
they could pronounce on a constitutional
amendment? .. .s
Mr.. Wade replied that Congress had
breathed the breath Of life into them, bat
without they accepted the amendment it
was void. He deprecated the idea of send
ing his bill back to the people, and affirmed
that both by population and resources,
Nebraska was entitled to admission as a
State.
Mr. CoRan, of Pennsylvania, spoke at
some length of the qualifications of State.
A State was corporation limited by the
charter which created it-he would ask the
Senator from Ohio, whether a State could
commit treason.
Mr. Wade said persons in State could
commit treason, but a State having no soul,
as the saying is, could not
Mr.. Cowan asked whether a State could
commit any other crime which its charter
forbid. Could State rebel? that was the
great question now agitating the country.
The officials of State had no authority
as such officers to do that which was for
hidden by their constitution and laWs-if
they had and could involve the consequent
ces, he wanted to know it; he would repeat
the question which was plain one.
Mr.. Wade said, what State could or
could not do was not the question, bnt the
admission of State, which If admitted was
entitled to do what any other State could
do.
Mr.. Cowan said, he understood the doc
trine of the Senator to be that State
could commit suicide, could it be so in any
other; since that a State was sovereign
was it not obvious that there must be a
double allegiance. If this was 30 the time
should be fixed where State allegiance stops
and national allegiance begins, which allie
glance should be exacted of the people of
Nebraska. II the allegiance of citizens
was not direct but existed through the
State, how could individuals be punished
as rebels? The great question was whether
they we're rebels or not. He was of opinion
that the constitution was an ordinance of
the people, through their State Organiza-
ton, and 70 which they conld direct per-
sonal allegiance and loyalty.
Mr.. Howe asked If men who were forced
into the Rebel army had committed any
treason?
Mr.. Cowan said he would be willing to
argue the question before the Senator, as
Judges on the question Of compulsion had
held tito be the duty of every American
citizen TO die rather than commit treason.
Mr.. Cowan asked in a seriO cOHieo tone,
whether he would die and go he knew not |
where?
Mr. Howe said he had reference only to
those American citizens who knew where !
they were going. Laughter
Mr.. Cowan proceeded to argue the legal |
question, holding that no government |
would punish Its citizens for treason when !
i failedto afford them protection. Only such |
as willingly committed treason could legal |
" be punished, and all citizens had right |
10 be tried by Law. This protection to the |
citizens was gRd pro quo for allegiance.
He opposed the admission Of Nebraska. |
Minorities Of the STATS were not represent
81 here. What greater rights had Nebraska
than those minorities? Ii was not claimed l
that State government was necessary 70
the people Of that territory, or that their 4
laws have not been properly administered /
but that she ought TO be admitted, because
L would strengthen the ha .ds Of those in /
power, who are now nuinerously in the I
He offered an amendment 10
he amendment, providing that the people
Of Nebraska, when admitted should lndi-
owe allegiance solely tothe United
States, and that they would not set up
ioreign government.
Mr.. Doolittle said there was not sulncient
evidence that the people Of Nebraska de-
tired admission, or that there was suinclent !
population to justify it. The convention