The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-06-16

queStlOns anu MF. Steve0S closed Inc OeO0te.
He congratulated the House and the country
that . scheme was soon to be submitted to the
people for the admission of an outlawed com
munity to the privileges and advantages Of
civilized and free Government; scheme
containing, he said, as much positive good as
! the omission Of many better things. In my
youth. he continued. in my manhood, and in
my old age, have fondly dreamed that when
| any fortunate chance should have broken up
tor time the foundations of our institutions,
| and released US from obligations the most
tyrannical that were ever imposed in the name
Of freedom, the intelligent, free and just men
of this Republic, true to their professions and
their consciences, would have SO remod-led
all our institutions as to have freed them from
every vestige Of oppression, OF innequaliiy Of
rights, Of the recognized degradation of the
poor, and the superior caste Of the rich; in
Short that no distinction would be tolerated
in this purified Republic but that which arose
from merit and conduct. This bright dream
has vanished like the baseless fabric Of
vision. find that we shall be obliged to be
content with patching up the worst portions
of the ancient edi6ce, and leaving it IN many
of its parts to be swept through by the tenn
pests, the frosts and the storms Of despotism.
Do you inquire why. holding these views and
possessing some will Of my own. / accept so
imperfect proposition2 1 answer, because
live among men, and not among angels;
among men as intelligent, as independent as
myself; who, not agreeing with me, do not
choose TO yield their opinions to mine. Mu-
tual concession, therefore. is our only resort
for mutual hostility. We might we'll have
been justified in making renewed and more
strenuous efforts for better plan, could we
have had the cooperation of the Executive.
With his cordial assistance the rebel States
might have been made model Republics, and
this nation an empire of universal freedom,
but he preferred restoration to reconstruction.
he chose that slave States should remain as
nearly as possible in their ancient condition.
with such small notifications as he and his
prime minister should suggest. without any
impertinen, interference from Congress He
anticipated the legitimate action of the Ma
tionai Legislature, and By rank usurpa,on
erected governments in the provinces. impo-
sed upon them institutions, III the most arbi-
trary and unconstitutional manner: and now
maintains them as legitimate government,
and insolently demands that they be repre-.
sented in Congress on equal terms with other
States. To repress this tyranny. and at the
same time to do some justice to conquered
rebels, requires caution. The grave dsnger
IS that the seceders may soon overwhelm the
loyal men in Congress. The haste urged upon
us by some loyal but impetuous men: their
anxiety to embrace the representatives Of
rebels; their ambition to display their dexter
i'y in the use of the broad mantle Of charity,
and especially the danger arising from the
oratons of false prophets famous for sixty
days obligations, and for protested political
promises, adrnonish us to make no further
delay.
Referring to the third section. Mr. Stevens
said he could not look upon the Senates
amendment as an improvement. In his
judgment it endangered the government of
the country. both State and National. and
might give the next President and Congress
to the reeor strucied rebels, with their en-
larged basis OF representation. ard exclusion
OF loyal men Of color from tho ballo, box.
He saw no hope of safety unless in the
prescription Of proper enabling acts. which
should do justice to the Freedmen and enjoin
eafranchisemens as condition precedent,
While he saw much good in the proposition.
he did not pretend to be satisfied with ii, but
still he WAS anxious for its speedy adoption.
for he deprecated delay. LIE. us. he said in
conclusion, no longer delay; let US take what
we can get now, and hope for better things in
future legislation, in enabling acts, or other
provisions.
The House then proceeded to vote by yeas
and nays on concurring in the amendments
of the Senate, several announcements having
been made of members absent or paired, aud
as to how they would have voted.
Mr.. Eldrldge, in ridieuie, announced that
if Mr.. Brooks, Of New York. and Mr. Voor-
hees, Of Indiana, had not been turned out of
their seats. they would have voted no
To which Mr.. Stevens added. that if jeff
Davis was here he would probably have voted
the same way; Laughter aud applanse:] and
Mr.. Wentworth added $50 would Jake
Thompson The Speaker directed his own
name to be called. and he voted aye. The
vote was a stnctly party one. and resulted.
yeas, l20; nays, 80. The Speaker announced
that over two thirds of both Houses having
agreed 10 the joint resolution proposing
amendments to the Constitution Of the United
States, the joint resolution was passed.