The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-06-02
RECONsTRUCTION.
Speech by the Hon. George R.
r Latham, of the End West Va.
Congressional District, in
the House of Represen-
tatives, May goth.

u.
Mr.. Speaker, we seem to have fallen
upon an age OF theories. We are told
| from day to-day with much seeming
| sincerity and an air of the most pro-
found political sagacity that the Union
when restored must be restored upon a
basis which will make it as permanent
as the everlasting hills and asinYulner-
able as the throne of the Eternal, ana
with such safeguards that even treason
will no longer be possible within its
jurisdiction. need not refer to par
ticulars or quote authorities or Prece-
dents upon this point to show
that I state the case fairly. To at
tempt to do so would be but TO
to recite IA hundred speeches made upon
this floor during the present session.
and the daily editorials of thousand
newspapers, made and publshed d
throughout the length and breadth OF
the land during the same period, ana
would be only an iusipid reiteration OF
what everybody knows. The people
have heard so much upon this subject
they have heard such declarations SO
often and so confidently made, and
by those whom they have conf
dence will do what they themselves
saw ought to be done and must be done,
that those of them who really love their
country and are devoted to their Gov
ernment are almost ready TO helleve
that the long-looked TOR millennlm wan wan
be ushered in with the reconstruction
of the Union.
The only question with them is, how
is it to be doneP The nation has been
in labor upon this subject for six
months, until recently relieved, by Inc
delivery of the congressional commit
tee on reconstruction. All now, ex-
cept' few copperheads ana their
syppathizers in the country. throw up
their hats and exclaim, ut IS done
Eureka y" Now, sir, my mind is not
so constituted and has not been so edu-
Gated as to enable me to weave hne-
spun theories or to comprehend the
metaphysical affinity between prlnci-
pies which seem to have no connection
with each other; and it is for the pur-
pose of stating as briefly and candidly
as possible the difficulties under which
I am laboring with reference to the
series oil measures now under consluer-
alton, with view to having those diff
ficulties removed by the Gamaliels of
sit, that have sought THE opportunity
of addressing you. And as desire to
be as brief as possible, I will enter at
once upon statement of my case:
With reference to the disqualifying
bill reported by the committee, but
which is not now under lmmedlate
consideration, 1 have no difficulty; and
you may extend the disqualification OF
the enemies ofmy country 10 any eX-
tent YOU please without doing any vio-
leuce to my feelings. All ask with
reference to this bill is an opportunity
to vote upon it. / confess, however,
that 1 do not see that the bill adds any
thing to the disquah6cations which
now exist, or disqualihes any one who
is not disqualified by existing laws.
No one who ever gave voluntary aid 10
the.rebellion is now permitted to quality
in any position of trust under the Fed
eral Government without taking the
test oath; and of course no one would
be permitted to take the test oath and
enter upon the discharge of official du-
ties under the Government If it was
known at the time that he was commit
ting perjury.
Further, should it be objected that
the test oath may be decided unconsti-
tutional or that it may be repealed by
oath and this bill stand, constitutional
ly upon exactly similar foundations.
But pass to the consideration OF the
measure under immediate considera-
ton.
Now. sir, the prominent idea with me,
and, with gentlemen who advocate
this measure, is to restore the Union
upon basis which will secure the In
ture peace of the country. This idea is
inseparably connected in my mind with
Whatever is denominated u plan of re-
construction or restoration. Now, l
propose to eXamine the provisions OF
this bill and test them severally and as
whole by this rule. This bill recites
an amendment to the Constitution of
the United States as having been sub
Initted by Congress to the several States
for their final action. and provides, in
substance at least, that the ratification
of this amendment shall be condition
precedent to the right of representation
in the eleven States lately constituting
the so-called confederate States OF
America. This amendment contains
four distinct propositions -,
The first provides that no State shall
make any discrimination in civil rights
of citizens of the United States on ac-
count of race, color, or previous condi.
ton of slavery. 1t the the term civil
rights" be construed not 10 include
what is properly understood as "politi-
cal rights" think this provision just
within itself, and that it probably in-
cludes nothing more than the Constitu-
ton originally intended to oinclude. But,
sir, we are not called upon to consider
this proposition as connected with this
bill on its individual merits. That was
done when it was under consideration
bythis House as constitutional amend
ment. We are now called upon to con-
slider its bearing upon reconstruction
how. under its operation, rebellion and
treason will be rendered impossible, or
the Government will be made stronger
to resist and overcome them. This; ;sir,
is the point which is beyond my com
prehension, and upon which desire
information.
In what way would constitutional
eounlfty of .civi rights" prevent the
manufacturers of Massachusetts, the
distiIIers of Pennsylvania or elsewhere,
or the cotton-growers ofthe South from
resisting furcibly the execution of un-
| lust and oppressive laws, or from at
| tempting TO establis an independent
government, If in their opinion such
\ Government would be more conducive
| 10 their best interests than the Federal
| Government? In word, what addi-
tional security for future peace would
be given by this provision, or what adj
| ditional power would it give to the Gov
| eminent 10 crush rebellion or punish
| treason2 Besides, sir, the ''civil rights
| bill, !" which is now a law, and is enforced
| in Tennessee by Tennessee State otti-
GERS, covers exactly the esameiground as
| this amendment and yet the Congress
| which passed this bill refuses to recog-
nize the right of representation in a
| state which enforces it by its own
amended in particular which when
accomplished will give to Congress nc
| power which it has not exercised with
| out the amendment.
The second proposition in this bill is
I to base representation upon suffrage
instead of aggregate numbers as at
| nresent. confess I am more doubtful
4 Of the merits of this as distinct propo.
| sition than of the other. Taxation and
representation are principles the sepa-
ration of which has never before been
| ATTEMPTED, or for moment counte-