Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-05-29
NO. 43.


ny Congress regulating the Freedmens Bu
reau. put the provisions of the bill did not
meet the Presidents approval, because he
DeheVeu the powers conferred upon him and
! upon the agents to be appointed by him TO
DC nnwise and unconstitutional. Concurring
IN lne OBJECT OF the bill and regarding the
power as temporary and safe in his hands,
ADVISED It's approval. But having been re-
turned to Congress with the Presidents oh.
lectlons, and having failed the needful sup.
port, IL is no longer a living measure nor the
subject of debate or difference of opinion.
Another congressional measure called the
civil rights bill has been the subject of con.
fiict. That bill, now law, has for it's object
the security of civil rights in the insurrec-
tlonary States. II was well observed by the
President in his annual message, that s'reaee
M emigration to and from That portion of
The country CHE Southern IStates) is ono Of
tho best means that can be thought of for the
restoration of harmony" Its possible in
reference with such emigration was one Of
the chief objections to the military rule: and
by some It is thought that the influence of
class legislation in favor of the slayeholdine
monopoly heretofore existing In the Southern
States would be still strongly exerted to pre-
vent peaceful emigration into those States.
and would exclude the laboring population
of the North from that soil of exuberant
fertility and friendly climate, that productive
region embracing the eigli~or nine States
nearest the Gulf of Mexico; and that hence
civil rights in those States should be yigl
lantly protected by the Federal laws and
Federal tribunals. Although the measures
enacted by Congress for this purpose failed
to receive the Executive sanction. vet hay.
ing been adhered to by a two-thirds 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 before Con.
gress merits brief remark, namely, the
plan Of restoration, or reconstruction, as it is
sometimes called. To the plan reported by
the Joint committee have not been able
to give my consent. 1t contemplates an
amendment to the Federal Constitution, the
third section of the proposed article being in
these terms
"SEc 3. Until the fourth day of July, in
the year one thousand eight hundred and
serenity, all persons who voluntarily adhered
TO the late insurrection, giving It aid and
comfort, shall be ercluded from the right to
vote for representatives in Congress-, and for
electors for President and Vice President of
the United States
1t is urged by the advocates of this plan
that this third section is the vital one, with.
out which the others are of no value It's
exclusive action will no doubt commend il
to the feelings of many as wise and Just
provision. But am unable so to regard 1t,
because for four years it binds Congress to
exclude from voting for Representatives or
Presidential electors 'all persons who yolun.
tarily adhered to the late insurection, giving
1t ana and comfort" No matter what may
be the condition of the country, nor what
proofs of present and future loyalty may be
given, an absolute constitutional bar is to be
erected for four years against large class of
persons Change of circumstances and CON
dition often work rapid change in party or
political sentiments, and nowhere with more
marked result than in the South. Il is be-
lieved that elements of change are now at
work there stimulating on one side to low.
atty and on the other tending to continued
hostile feelings. In my judgment, every
proper Indictment to union should be fostered
and cherished, and for Congress 10 limit its
own power by constitutional amendment for
the period of four years might be deplorablo
in the result. To those who differ / accord
the same honesty, and perhaps greater wis.
dom, than | can claim for myself As the
proposed plan now stands, am unable TO
perceive the necessity, justice, or wisdom of
the measure. But having no place nor voice
in the body before which the measure is
pending disclaim any purpose to interfere
beyond an expression of my own opinion.
Having thus declared my views, as they
nAYe heretofore Deen declared TO those who
had right to know them, on the material
questions that have lately arisen, or are now
pending, trust that your purpose on this
occasion is answered; and 1 shall be glad if
their expression may have any beneficial in
tluence on questions the right disposition
whereof is a matter of solicitude to every
patriotic man, and is deeply important to
the peace and tranquility Of the country
Recognizing the constitutional power of all
the coordinate branches of the Government,
legislative, Judicial, and executive and en-.
tertaining for each the respect which is due
from every loyal citizen, they are entitled to,
and shall receive, accordingto to my best iudg-
ment the support which is required hy that
Constitution which, after unexampled con.
hict, has been upheld and sanctified by Di-
vine favor, and through the sacrifice Of so
much blood and treasure.
AT the conclusion of Mr.. stanton's speech
cheers were proposed and given, but in such
way as to show that the hearts Of the
crowd were not in them In fact there was
very manifest feeling of disappointment,
and even chagrin, at the character OF Mr.
Stanton's remarks