American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-09-05

II
this amendment to the Constitution of the
United States, and we intend to stand by
it, saying that no man who was one ofthe
leading rebels shall ever be one Of the
Leaders in the Legislative department Of
our Government, or be in the Judicial de-.
partment, OF, in the Executive. depart
ment. (Cheers) syss,si 10 ,jsg is4g
|. we say further, that after we pass
this amendment to the Constitution, and
excludes these men, what else will we do?
We will keep upoE our statute, books an
oath that every man must swear to when
he enters the portals ef the Congression-
al Hall of the United States, as a proof
''that he never has aided or encouraged
this rebellion, or held Office or sought Of
flee under it" and we will make him
swear. Loyal men have to take that oath.
We have to take it. So we will require
these gentlemen to take it and if they
come up there and do take it, and com
|anlt perjury, knowing that they do com
nit perjury, what else will we do? CHang
them If FIVE know that they ere in the
rebel army, or commit perjury right there
before us what will we do Why, the
Congress Of the United States will ex-
pei such men because they are not fit to
have seats in the councils of the nation.
There is another thing proposed as
part of this amendment. That is this ::
the people shall never be taxed to pay
the rebel debt. You and / shall never
pay any portion of that Indebtedness that
any of these rebcllious States contracted
with Great Britain or France, or with
anybody else, to assi5t them in destroying
the Government of these United States
BY this declaration we say this: We say
to England, "You shall not be paid;1 and
we say to the rebels, ''You shall pay her"
They were willing to assist the rebel ar
mics against this Governmcnt; furnished
them arms and munitions Of war Now
let them go and take it out of the effects
of JEFF. Davis, or take it out OF the rebel
bonds if they can find they can make
money out of them. We do not care to
tax the people to pay it, and we have
more respect even for rebels than to al
low them to be taxed for it [laughter] !;
but we do say to Mr.. Rebel, that "you
have got to pay this littlo debt up here
You have caused us to incur it on account
of your treason, You claim to be citi
zens now; we are going to tax you, and
we are going to make you help us pay
the debt that you caused us to become
liable for we have that much respect for
you that we intend you to assist in main.
taing the Government. You say that you
are loyal; we propose to have fou help,
inasmuch as yvu receive protection. ::We
are geing to protect you against England
in collecting this debt of yours; we are
not going to allow her to do so, but you
must help 20 pay our debt; it is part Of
your debt, and it is part of our debt, and
if they do not do it willingly we have
a way of sending mau round aud collec.
ting the taxes. We will make them do
It, There is no use in being mealy-
mouthed about these things, you know.
There is no use in dodging the question;
we might just as aell make them do it
as to say we will try to make them do it,
because VIC intend it shall be DONE
We have the power, and we intend to
exercise it, and intend they shall be made
to pay il; at least this is my opinion.
Now, | want to know where is the 10y
al man who is notin favor of these four
sections, which make up this amendment
to the Constitution of the United States.
Where is the man caniobject to them?-
This is the issue before the people. We
have made it our platform. We are GO
ing to stand by it, Our members of Con-
gress were eight months in presenting it
to the people. l tell you that | think
they did wisely in delaying II, 50 that
they might mature their plan and study
it well before they presented it to the
L. - u d
people. l think it Is good plan, / think
it is a just one, ] am in favor of it, and
there is no loyal man in the land who
can refuse to support and sustain it, so
as to make it part Of the Constitution
Of the United States. ttsL.-ll- !
0 1t may not be quite as far in some par
.ticulars as we would dcsirei it to 90, but
yeti went 50 far, and only 50 far, that
We could concentrate. the whole force of
the Union party in Favor of it, hence tits
the best thing that could be adopted. l
think it is very wise thing too, for the
reason that the Coppelheads and opposi-
tion arc against it, and that is the issue.
mS fellow citizens, that We have to, de,
eide this fan, whether or not loyal men
"a -, E1aA :, n, 80. ~. -. Z st.t ~