The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-07


National Hall, under the auspices Of the UnlOn
League.
SPEECH OF GOVERNOR HAMILTON.
Governor Hamilton, of Texas, addressed the
meeting. He referred to the action OF the Con-
YCntOn now in session, and said that the DIS
tinct issue is put before the country; that the
sO-caled policy Of the President is an assUmp-
ton of power NOT warranted Dg the Constttu-
ton; that the status or the people lately in re-
belOn IS within the control of Congress.
The President has never had policy; what
he calls policy is merely a scheme to break
up the great Republican party and TO iorm a
new one, through which he may continue in
power The speaker then referred to the events
OF the past five years, and said that the United
States had mole than belligerenJ rights In the
late war, and could deal with those engaged III
the Rebellion as public enemies. He contended
that the Southern States did secede nom the
United States by seyering the political bonos
which had existed; they paid no taxes, nor did
they respect the authority OF this Government
or any OF its officers. They resolved and re-
resolved that they never would unite again with
the Union, and would die in the last ditch be-
lore they consented TO treaty Of peace. They
did secede, but they were not beyond the CON
troll of The Government of the United States.
The sO-calIed Confederate Government was com
posed Of States in rebellion and was recog-
nlzed as n government de tactO, and having
bellieeTent power. All the folmaltes in the
exchange of prisoners were adhered TO the
same as if it had been treating with a foreign
foe. The United States Government had as
many IISnJS, as Il DelllgeTcnl, us lne COnleue-
rate Government, and ii they had been success
ful, the States at the North would not have
been permitted to send their representatives TO
Congress, unless upon the terms dictated by
the South. The United States being the con-
Queror, how is il the United Stares shall not
dictate the tine and place when the Southern
States shall be admitted! They are not in the
Union, because by the Rebellion their State
governments we're destroyed; and now how are
they to be controlled except by laws dictated
by their ConqUerors (Appadse) The power
rests with the Congress OF the United States to
blot out State lines aud re-map the Southern
States, if it thought best Tor the proper settle
| ment OF the question that now agItates the
country. He contended that there never was a
greater hate of the Government than there is
now among the people of the South,
The speaker then referred to Texas, and said
| there was q time within the past tWelVemonth
when the army afforded some little protection
| to loyal citizens, Out under the present teach
! ings OF the President there is no protection. He
! supposed that the people would have to bear
| this inhiction, unless high Heaven should see tit
! TO remove the cause of the evil; and II this
| should be done, he would bow with Christian
| resignation.
| In conclusion, he said that the people should
! sustain the Congress, and see to it that those
| who now represent the people OF this state are
| again returned. He said it would not do for the
people 10 say they are in favor of universal
| freedom and equal rights, and then deny a large
| class Of citizens many of the rights to which
! they should be entitled. The slaves have been
freed, but unless we give them equal rights and
equal suffrage, our great duty had not been ac-
| COmphshed.
Colonel Pope, of Missouri, followed in a
| speech, in which he referred 70 the condition OF
| the country, and said that, in the language OF
| Jefferson, II trembe Tor my country when
reflect that God is just"