The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-05-26


Federal tribunals. Although the meas
ure enacted by Congress for this pur-
pose failed to receive the Executive
sanction, yethaving been adhered to by
a two-thirls vote in each House, they
have now passed to the statute book,
and ceased to be the subject OF debate.
Another measure, or series OF measures
of prime importance, now pending De-
fore Congress, merits aremark, namely:
The plan of restoration or reconstruc-
ton, as it is sometimes called. 10 the
plan reported by the joint committee, 1
have not been able to give my assent.
1t cotemplates an amendment TO the
Federal Constitution, the third section
of the proposed article being III these
terms:
Sec. 5. Until the 4th day of July, in
the year 1870. all persons who yolun-
Iarily adhered to the late insurrection,
giving aid and comfort, shall be exclu-
ded from the right to vote for represen-
tatives in Congress and for electors for
President and Vice President OF the
United States.n 4 .l1-
1t is urged by the advocates of this
plan that this third section is the vital
one, without which the others are of no
vRlueI ftats5A e
It's exclusive action will no doubt
commend it TO the feelings of many as
a wise and just provision, but am un-
able to SO regard it, because II binds
Congress- to exclude from voting for
Representatives and Presidential cleo
hered to the late insurreeliOn, giving
aid and comfort. No matter what may
be the condition of the country, nor
what proof of present and future 10y
atty may be given, AN absolute coEstt-
tutional bar Is to, be erected for four
years against a large class of persons.
Change of circumstances and condition
often work rapid changes In party or
political sentiments, and no where
with more marked result than in the
South. -,-,-.
IL is believed that elements of change
are now at work there, stimulating on
one side to loyalty and on the other
tending to continued hostile feelings.
In my Judgment every proper incite-
ment!to Union should be fostered and
cherished, and for Congress to limit Its
own power by constitutional amend-
ment for the period of four years, might
be deplorable in its RESULT To those
who differ, accord the honesty and
perhaps greater wisdom than
can claim Tor myself. As the pro-
posed plan now stands, / am unable TO
perceive the necessity, Justice or wis
dom of the measure, but having no
the measure is pending, disclaim any
purpose to ointerfere, beyond the express
sion of my own opinion. -......,
Having thus declared my views as
they have heretofore been declared to
those who had a right TO know them,
on the material questions that have
lately arisen, or are now pend
ing. I trust: that your purpose
on this occasion is answered, and
I shall be glad, if these expressions
may have any beneficial influence in
questions, the right disposition thereof,
is a matter of solicitude to every pa
triot, and is deeply important to the
peace and tranquility of the country,
Recognizing the constitutional power
of all the coordinate branches of Gov
ernnent, legislative, judicial. and ex-
ecutive, end entertaining for each the
respect which is due from every loyal
citizen, they are entitled to, and shall
receive, according TO my best Judgment,
the support which is required by that
Constitution, which after nnexampled
conflict has been upheld and sanctioned
by Divine favor, and through the sac
rifice of SO much blood and treasure
SECRETARY M'cULLocH's sPEEcH.
The Secretary of the Treasury was
next called on. Mr.. McCulloch said:
FeLL0ID Citizens You are aware that
Lam not intthe habit of making speech
es, and take it for granted, therefore,
that in making your call upon me, you
intended only TO pay me passing
compliment, and not to expect from me
any extended remarks. Yet 1 shall
not disappoint you. shall not be so
uugratefuI for your kindness as to in-
flict upon you speech. Ny position,
gentlemen, in reference to the issues
which are now engaging the public at
tentfon, is not, I apprehend, misunder-
stood by you. tCheers.
"a I,took occasion last fall among my
old friends in Indiana to define my po-
sition; and since that time 1 have seen
no occasion 10 change, much less to
abandon it. lApplause.ls I will say.
therefore-as suppose I must say
something on this occasion-that the
general policy of the President, tnre-
ference to the Southern State and the
people recently in arms against the
Federal Government, has commended
itself to my deliberate Judgment
CCheers.l And although it has been
Violently, and4in some instances, vim
dictively assailed, I-haye an abiding
conviction that It will be approved by
the people when they shall be allowed
to pass 1udgmentupon it at the ballot
box. Loud cheers. -
This plan is fairly stated in the plat
form OF the club which many of you
represent. I need not say, therefore,
in regard to that platform, any more
than that subscribe TO all its doctrines
fully and without reserve. CCheers3
1 Isuppose, gentlemen, that none OF us
expected that at the close of this great
war, in which much bad blood had
been executed and more good blood
shed, we should have bright skies and
and calm seas. 1 take Il for granted
that most of us expected that ut the
close of this war there would be pas
sion and pique. and perhaps violence
which itw0uld take time 70 bring into
proper subtugation.
BuI although we anticipated this, we
knew that the people Of the. United
States would be prepared for whatever
might come. We anticipated that, at
the close of this war. great questions
would come up for settlement, the dis
cussionof which would be likely to ag-
itate this country, to shake 1t perhaps
from centre to circumference. But
we knew also that the people had not
been wanting in auy previous emer-
gency, and we had confidence that they
would be prepared TO cope with and
settle satisfactorily any questions that
might be presented in the future. APP
plause. That faith Is with us now. !
It Is strong with us tonight. We
have faith in the people, andswe have
faith in that good Providence, which,
having led this nation through the Red
Sea of7battle, is not likely TO desert it,
now that thedreacful passage has been
accomplished, The President of the
United States, gentlemen, stands before
the country in no doubtful attitude.
His voice gave utterance to no uneer=
tain Language when it denounced trea-
son. AT the outbreak Of the rebellion,
in the Senate of the United States,
GCheers,l j heshowed no faltering fidel-
ity, when, counting everything else as
of no valne, as mere dust in the BAL