The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-03-23
Universal Suffrage and General Ana
nesty.

We have published brief teIe-
graphic summary of Senator Stew
arts universal suffrage and general
amnesty preamble and resolutions,
offered in the United States Senate on
Friday, and referred to the Recon
struction Committee. The resolution
involving the, to the South, vital
question of the day, we give it in full,
together with Mr.. Stewards and Mr..
Summers remarks thereon. Mr..
Stewart, though a Republican, has
hitherto voted with the conservatives.
and has advocated what is known as
the Presidents policy:
Whereas, in the present distracted
condition of the country, it is emf
nently proper and necessary that all
Just and constitutional means should
be employed for the quieting of
popular excitement, the removal of
unreasonable prejudice, and the OBJ
liberation of all hostile feeling grow.
ing out of the late unhappy civil war;
and whereas one of the most prolific
sources of unfriendly sentiment is the
conflict of opinion existing on the
SUBJECT OF negro suffrage; and where
as 1t IS now most evident that there is
no probability whatever that Senators
and Representatives in Congress from
the States whosepeople were lately in
lnsurrection will be allowed to occupy
the seats to which they have been
elected, until said States shall have
complied with certain fundamental
conditions, a portion of which are
hereinafter recited; and whereas it is
unreasonable to expect the establish
ment Of harmony and good feeling as
long as the eleven Southern States
whose people were recently in insur-
rectlon are prevented from resrlminc
their ancient relations to this Govern
ment; therefore, be it
Resolred, DC, 1st. That each of
sald States whose people were lately
In insurrection, as aforesaid, shall be
recognized as having fully and validly
resumed it's former relations with this
Government, and its chosen repre-
sentatlves shall be admitted into the
two houses of the National Legisla-
ture, whenever said State shall have
so amended its Constitution as, 1st.
70 do away with all existing distinc-
tlons as to civil rights and disabilities
among the various classes of it's popu-
lat1on, by reason either of race OF
color, or previous condition of selvi-
tude; I'd. To repudiate all pecuniary
Indebtedness which said State may
have heretofore contracted, incurred
OF assumed in connection with the
late unnatural and reasonable war;
Sd. To yield all claim to comnensa-
ton on account of the liberation of
its slaves; and, 4th. To provide for
the extension of the elective franchise
to all persons upon the same terms
and conditions, making no discrimi-
nation on account of race, color or
previous condition of servitude: Pro-
cided, That those who were qualified
to vote in the year 1860 by the laws
of the respective States shall not be
disfranchised by reason of any new
tests or conditions which have been
or may be prescribed since that year.
Resolred, That after the aforesaid
conditions have been complied with,
and the same shall have been ratified
by majority of the present voting
population Of the State, Including ali
those qualified to vote under the laws
thereof as they existed in 1860, a
general amnesty shall be proclaimed
In regard to all persons in such State
who were in any way connected with
armed opposition to the Government
OF the United States, wholly exone-
rating them from all pains, penalties
or disabilities to which they may have
become liable by reason of connection
with the rebellion.
Resolred, That in view of the i'm
portance of the thorough assimilation
OF the basis of suffrage in the various
States of the Union, all other States
not above specified shall be respect
fully requested to incorporate an
amendment in their State Constitu-
tons respectively, corresponding with
the one specified.
Resolrea, That in the adoption of
the aforesaid resolutions, it is not in
tended to assert coe,'ciue power on
the part of Congress in regard to the
regulation of the right of suffrage in
the different States of the Union, but
only to make respectful and earnest
appeal to their own good sense and
love of country, with view to the
prevention of serious evils now threat