The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-28
Senator stewards Proposition,

|--I. 1ShaooA SeSWarbs ErOpObltlOn.
On Friday, 10Th inst, Mr.. Stewart of Neva-
da, introduced resolution in the United
State Senate, setting forth definite conditions
upon which the Southern States may be re-
stored to the Union. As the resolution seems
destined to attract considerable attention we
give the text below: t...- .-,.. -.a.
A joint resolution Is. r. No. 4S) setting
forth certain conditions upon which the states,
the people of which have been lately in re-
beilion against the United States shall be re-
stored to their representation in Congress.
Whereas, In the presen' distracted condi-
ton OF the country it is eminently proper and
necessary that all just and constitutional
means should be employed for the quietinr of
popular excitement, the removal of unreason-
able prejudices, and the oblteration of all hos
tile feeling growing out of the late unhappy
civil war; and whereas one of the most pro-
life sources of unfriendly sentiment is the
conflict of opinion existing on the subject of
negro suffrage; and whereas it is now most
evident that there is now no probability what
ever that Senators and representatives in Con-
gress from the States whose people were late
ly in insurrection will be allowed to occupy
the seats to which they have been elected un-
til said States shall have complied with certain
tNhushhOutoi SOuuitlOiIc, VI WulCD
are hereinafter recited; and whereas it is un-
reasonable to expect the re-establlshment of
harmony and good feeling so long as the elev-
en- Southern States whose people were recent
ly in insurrection are prevented from resum-
ing their ancient relations to this government,
Therefore, --,4.., ,t........rs .t-t..t..
Be 1t resoIced By the Senate and House of
Representatives Of the United States in Con-
gress assembled, 1. That each of said States,
whose people were lately in insurrection, as
aforesaid, shall be recognized as having full
ly and validly resumed its former relations
with this government, and its chosen Repre-
sentatives shall be admitted inlo the two
Houses of the National Legislature whenever
said State shall have so amended its constitu-
tion as first, to do away with all civil distinc-
tions as to civil rights and disabilities among
the various classes of its. population by reason
either of race or color. or previous condition
of servitude; second, to repudiate all pecuni-
ary Indebtedness which said State may have
heretofore contracted, incurred or assumed in
connection with the late unnatural and trea-
sonable war; third, to yield all claim to COM
pensation on account of the liberation OF its
slaves; and fourth, to provide for the extcn-
sion of the elective franchise to all persons
upon the same terms and conditions, making
no discrimination on account of race, or color,
or previous condition of servitude; Prorided,
That those who we're qualified to vote in the
year 1860 by the laws OF their respective States
shall not be disfranchised by reason of any
new tests or conditions which have been or
may be prescribed since that year.
2. ResOlUed, That after the aforesaid con-
ditions shall have been complied with and the
same shall have been ratified by a majority OF
the present voting population of the State, in
cluding all 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 gov
ernment of the United States, wholly exoner-
ating them from all pains, penalties or disa-
bilities to which they may have become liable
by reason Of their connection with the rebell-
ion.
5. Resolued, That in view of the impor-
tance of the thorough assimilation of the ba-
sis of suffrage in the various States of the I'm
ion, all other States not above specified be re-
| spectfully requested to incorporate an amend
ment in their State constitutions respectively
corresponding with the one above described.
4. ResOlued, That in the adoption of the
| aforesaid resolutions it is not intended to as
| sert cOercive power on the part OF Congress
in regard to the regulation of the right of suf
| trage 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 threatened, and to the peaceful perpetu-
alton of the repose, the happiness, and true
glory of the whole American people. -G a