The day book. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 1857-1867, 1866-02-13
THAD. STEVENS.


structive of good government
There are various classes of tyrants, who
are permitted by Providence, at times, to be
the scourges Of the nations with whose desti-
MES they become interviewer
There is the vulgar and commonplace ty-
rant, the despot of tragedy and tragic history,
who is ready with rack, gibbet, and faggot, to
immediate. Then we have the canting and by
pocritical tyrant, like Charles Sumner,) ever
ready to make imaginary woes the pretext for
dangerous innovations in the conduct of ma
. tons. Finally, we have third class of des-
pots, fanatical and ntolerant welded to de-
structive doctrines, and "tenfold more the
children ofhell" than those who were denounced
in Scripture for their arrogance and oppres-
sion. Of this class is its exponent, Thad Ste
vens, whom we regard as the most reckless
agitator in the Congress of the United States.
He is, in fact, the very demon of misrule
There is no principle so deeply rooted, no bull
wark Of liberty SO solid, that he will not at
tempt to blast it out if it interferes with his
elements OF destruction.
We will, without further comment give a
few illustrative extracts from his late erposi-
tioa speech in the House, which show the
cloven foot, as well as any comment we could
make-as well as Henry, Clay's once eloquent
mouth used to speak for ITSELF" We will
only ask, Where would it all end 2.
t. g L
authority, at the other end. of the avenue, that
no amendment is necessary to the constitution
as our fathers made it, and that it is better to
let it stand as it is Now, sir, think very
differently myself for one individual.
1t so happened when our fathers came to
reduce the principles Oh which they founded
this government into order, in shaping the
organic law, an institution hot from hell ap-
peared among them, which has been increas-
ing in volume and guilt ever since
God forbid I should so adopt the princinle
Of the gentlemen from New York, (Mr. Raw
mond,) that this constitution needs no amend
msnt.
If State abuses the elective franchise. and
takes it from those who are the only loyal
people there, the Constitution says to such a
State: "You shall lose the power in the
halls of the nation, and you shall remain
where you are, shriveled and dried up nom
entity, instead of being the lords of crea-
ton, as you have been, SO far as America il
concerned, for years past" Now. sir, I say,
no more strong inducelnent could ever be held
out to them, no more severe punishment could
ever be inflicted upon them as States If they
exclude the colored population they will lose
at least thirty-6ve representatives in this hall.
If they adopt it they will have eighty-three
votes. Take it away from them and they will
have only from forty-hve to forty-eight votes,
all told. in this hall; and then, sir, let them
have all the copperhead assistance they can
get and liberty will still be triumphant. Now
prefer that to an immediate declaration that
all shall be represented; Cor, if you make them
all voters and let them into this hall, not one
beneficial act for the benefit of the freedmen
or for the benefit of the country could ever
be passed. Their eighty-three votes, with the
representatives of the Five Points and other
dark corners, would be sufficient to override
the friends Of progress here, and this nation
would DO in the hands of secessionists at the
very next Congressional election and at the
very next Presidential election. | do not.
therefore, want to grant them this privilege.
at least for some years. do not want them
to have representation say it plainly do
not want them to have the right of suffrage
before this Congress has done the great work
OF rsgenerating the Constitution and laws of
this country.
i have another objection to the amendment
OF my friend from Ohio. His proposition is
to appcrtIon representation according to the
male citizens of the States Why has he put
10 YTnr Sff,,oI Ia T
Constitution of the United States before. WHY
make a crusade against women in the Consti-
tuition OF the nation? l certainly shall never
vote to insert the word male or the word
"white" in the National Constitution.
l had another proposition, which 1 hope
may again be brought forward. 1t is this =
GAN national and State laws shall be equally
applicable to every citizen, and no diseririna-
ton snail De made on account of race or |
color. There IS the genuine proposition.
That is the one love-
We shall not trouble President johnson bv |
sending him this amendment if it should be |
passed by Congress, because it is not necessary
to submit to him for his approval
! could not but admire the generosity of
feeling, which must have prompted some of |
the closing sentences of the excellent and able
speech delivered by the gentleman from New
York (Mr Raymond) on last Monday. His
words were these THE gigantic contest is
at an end. The courage and devotion on
either side which made it so terrible and 50
long, no longer owe divided duty, but have
become the common property of the American
name, the priceless possession of the Ameri-
can republic, through all time to come. The
dead OF the contending hosts sleep beneath the
soil OF common country, under their COM
mon flag Their hostllites are hushed, and
,,ney are the dead of the nation forevermore."
SIR, much more than amiable, much more
nan religious must be the sentiment that (