Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-02-23
alisttll mems
The Speech of Mr.. Fessenden

Tie S,,n1pl, uf Mr. i'psSGu'pu il su
tHoti1t 9t5't We iihA' ~ ~ ''i''ss'"'' "
publish 1t III iulI. We give tliat portion
which discusses and contrasts the views of
the Committee with that of Senator Sum
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Whole oi the speech
Mr.. Sumner. Will the Senator yield to
me n noncnt
Mr. Fessendcn. Certainly.
Mr. Sumner. The Senator will bear i'll
mind that at the same moment that i'll
truduccd that proposition ot amendment |
introduced bill which was by act Of
Congress to declare that all men were
equal before the law, and that there could
be no denial al rights, civil or political
The two measures were to 30 together.
Mr.. fesstndeu. 1t is Hot for me to
jndec the honorable Senator's logic. mn
unaware how Tar two measures 81 entirely
distinct can 20 together, one an amend
mcnt In the Constitution to endure Tor all
timeand which lies at the bottom as a,
foundation principle, the other an act Of
Congress tat may be repealed Tomorrow,
and which provides no SANCTION ~ penal
~, 10 measure, no machinery, nothing hut
a re-enaetinent of the Constitution itsell
in language not half 50 forclble: | know
that the honorable Senator would gladly
a,ake it as streng as possible. But ! was
appealing to him to answer ne, not that
nsk him to answer nov, but III the ordina-
~ form of address TO answer me why and
how he can dcnounce one measure III the
strongest possible terms us a compromise,
as showing Il want Of moral principle, as
an abandonment OF moral pnnclple' Wi,lie
he himself offers another which Is founded
upon the sane idea. and can only accom-
plish the same results.
sir, Sumner. | take issue with the
Senator precisely ON that point OF the ar
gumcnt, and at the proper time shall an
swer him.
Mr.. Fessenden My friend from lowe
fMr. Grimes suggests an inquiry, how
/ does the Senator know but that this propo-
sition will he followed by leg Station :
How does he know what has been the con
sultaton .! the committee or what tii'
committee propose to do he question
is, how far is it good, and no lurther.-
j Now, sir, am no. speaking OF the words
/ but am speaking OF the effect OF the tW'
upon the question under consideration
! The effect of limiting it to voters is simpl.
I TO leave the power where it is. ami leave
! ii perfectly IN the power of the States tf
regulate suffrage us thy please. The
proposition submitted by the committee
roes that whole length. 1t leaves tht
power where it is hut it tells them mos
/ distinctly. if YOU exercise that pOWc
wrongfnIly, such and such consequence!
will follow. How far that shall be an ar
rulnent will speak of by and by.
What objectisn is there to basing repre-
sentatou upon voters And here again
beg leave to state the views of the com
mittce on that subject There are severa
objections. In the first place, we natural,
become attached TO that to which we ar'
accustomed especially if it is well founde'
in principle, and agreeable to us i'll all or
dinnry resnects. The principle of th'
Constitution, with regard to representa-
tion. is that it shall be founded on popua
ton; that the people WHO are voters, male
of twenty.one wears Of age, las has beei
the ordinary construction,) arc not th'
whole neonle of a State; and when
state has representation, the representa-
tives. whoever they NAV be- do not con
slider themselves as representing male
over twenty ono wears of age alone, but Il