Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-06-22

the restriction. What if they were
the subjects of a political deluslon
What if they had been taught that a
State had the constitutional power TO
secede? Have not all rebellions had
as good a foundation, and those VINO
were hanged for it been as sincere IN
their belief in the justice OF their
cause as any man in this rebellion
was? This has never been regarded
as any answer TO the legal liability.
If a man or set of men make war
against their Government, they do 1t
at the peril of making the war sue
cessful or of taking the legal conse-
quences,
If when the rebellion was over we
had said to every man engaged Ill 1t,
awe will allow you to retain your
life and your property, but you shall
never participate in the Government
of the country you have attempted to (,
destroy, by voting or holding ofhce'
it would have been all they could nave
expected or had any right to expect.
This is the basis upon which Mary
land, Missouri, and other States have
settled it for themselves.
But we leave the great mass utter
ly untouched, and the leaders with
their lives, their property, the full
enjoyment of all their civil rights and
privileges, with the right of voting for
all officers, both State and national,
with the single restriction they thall
not hold office. The disproportlon
between the cause and the conse-
quence is so great as to almost make
it ridiculous. | know it is said that
this is a measure so harsh and severe
, that it will not be accepted by the
South. But [ do not believe so; on
, the contrary believe it will be &C.
: ceptable to the masses, that they Will
5 consider it very easy atonement
: and that if there is anything like pun
: ishment in it, it falls where it is de
: served. If there be any included II
= this class (aS it is agreed there may
| bel who were really forced into the
/ rebellion against their will, it will bt
$ very easy to procure absolution by
= making the fact appear to Congress
f The remaining propositions o
: amendment, declaring the sacred an(
l. invioIable character of our natlona
e obligations, an d t h illegallt.
# and invalidity of the rebe
e debt, and of any compensation
d for the slaves who have been freed
|, admit of no doubt as sound PROPOSE
S lions in themselves. The only ques
J. ton that can be made upon them i
n the propriety or necessity OF incor
h porating them into the fundamental
If law. For myself, | think tina
T although these may i'll a certain sens
$ be said to be matters Of tempOrar.
G, character, still they involve interest
I of such immense magnitude that it
e proper they should be settled in tn
Is most solemn and enduring mode, an
A. chat their incorporation into the Cor
O. stitution will save disputes an
h wrangling hereafter.
N Mr.. President, it has been said tina
a. all these proposed amendments, as
D. whole, as a general plan for the re-
j. toration Of these States, will not b
II acceptable to them, and that the
p will not do it willingly; and ifthe
- adopt them at all it will only be undo
OF kind of coercion and because the
er cannot otherwise obtain what the
seek and thot rro havU no right 7
u, secure even proper amendment in tn;
al way.
u 1t seems to me that this plan, as
~ ~ whole, is characterized by so muC
- moderation and forbearancc that
le cannot fail to commend itself to tt
:" people of these States so that the
E will readily and freely give it the
l. sanction. But, sir, if it be true tn;
y they are not satisfied with it, and wi
q only adopt it to secure their retul
to share in the national power, l a
e so well satisfied that this plan co
y tains nothing but what we have tt
II right to insist on, and which justi(
d to the nation requires, that | shouI
y feel no hesitation saying kindly, b.
" firmly, "You must acquiesce in thes
" amendments before we will perm
| you to take part in the administratiC
'r Of the General Government" Thel
u is nothing new in this, either ID
le these States accept the amendmel
% abolishing slavery willmgly-a muc
Vi more important matter to them tina
III anything contained in these propos
~ tons? Did they declare their ORD
, nances Of secession null and void {
I'LL declare the rebel debt invalid willin.
d ly? We konw they did not, but on
III because the President required it
10 them. Has any one ever blamed tt
y President or thought he was uniu.
y to the South in these requirements
=: If the people of the nation, throug
II their representatives, believe thu
M something more should justly be r
Is quired, they have the equal right an
u should exercise the right to demand
p We should not exercise our powt
oi to make any unjust demand, but VIII;
Il, is just and right to exact we sboul
u be wanting in our duty if we fail t
have done.
Mr.. President, it is matter
great satisfaction to me that at las
after so much and so anxious delibe
alton, it appears so probable thu
Congress will be able to present
plan npon which the requisite majo
&C. tiles of both Houses will be able
es agree. and especially when az q who