The national Republican., 1866-06-11
ALAsT DYING SPEECH.

Ile COInInltutt On TtCoDbhuChot, lut OI-
spring Of caucus wisdom, the agent Of polit-
ical schemes, and the representative Of radi-
cal speculations, with base parentage, and
n life Of outlawry to legal requirements and
constitutional precedents, being about topass
into an oblivionas complete as its origin was
infamous before its sands Of life are all run
out, has indulged in lengthy and laborious
dying confession TO the public. There is some
thing about this report which savors of the
special pleading in desperate case, where
law and facts are so evidently irresistible that
the earnestness Of effort, and the strain Of
argument displayed, are in themselves an ac-
knowledgment Of the weakness Of the cause.
Indeed, the whole tone, temper, and travail
Of the document reminds us Of man accused
at his defence, or criminal at the dock, stat
ing why sentence should not be pronounced.
We have no intention Of honoring this re-
port with an elaborate review-it is not Of
sufficient Importance; nor does il possess
that weight or character demanding serious
attention. The most complete refutation Of
the premises Of this paper is its conclusions.
IL the theory Of law and the array Of evi-
dence presented by the committee is correct,
then its ultimatum is wholly inadequate and
unsafes We know ofnothing more wretched
than its logic; more unfair than its parade
Of the situation; more melancholy than its
spirit Of bigotry and partisanship; more pu-
sillanimous and paltry than its remedies.
Every legal position taken in it is untenable;
~ he - a..-
is the result Of an unworthy bias, and is
looked at with "jaundiced eyes" If its por-
trayal Of our national condition Is true, and
we have no security for the future save the
few ,valueless, unmeaning and impossible
amendments which the committee have sub
victory been premature; our warfare has ig-
ANONYMOUSLY failed, and every patriot must
realize that his sacrifices have been in vain.
and his hopes for rescued and redeemed
land are idle and unpromising. We have
naught but sincere pity for the men who be-
lieve the Cassandra comments Of this report;
nothing but detestation for the partisans
who propagate its doctrines and publish its
Interpretations. nothing but profound
contempt for the statesmen who present such
records and such relefs. ...
In what estimation shall we hold men who
stand in the position Of Senators and Repre-
sentatives Of the American Congress, who,
after half years deliberation upon the
question whether eleven States in this Union
are to be represented in the national councils,
tell us that "they do not deem it necessary
or proper to discuss the question whether
the late confederate States are still States in
in this UnionT We would suggest to this
committee that there never have been any
"late confederate States" and il is a respect
to reasonable conspiracy which sounds
blasphemous to us from loyal lips to refer to
the insurgents Of the South with such pomp-
ous words. 1t is language far more befitting
the tory sympathizers with the rebellion in
England, and the ill-concealed friendship OF
French imperialists, than American legisla-
tors. We maintain that it is the most das-
tardly impudence on their part, or a conces-
sion Of inability, not "to discuss the question
That question was the vital one which they
had to meet. 1t lies at the root OF the whole
matter. If the eleven unrepresented States
are in this Union they have rights as States,
as corporations, intact inalienable and invi
olable, that cannot be touched without desc
Grafton and cannot be invaded without ty
ranny. In failing to meet that question the
committee are chargeable with either COW
ardice or incompetency they can take
"either horn Of the dilemma"
This Government has been monstrou
engine Of wrong and usurpation; this wa
has been crime Of unparalleled atrocityan,
infamy; and every American soldier has beel
murderer Of his fellow-man in fact and in
tent, unless every American State is an inte
gral part Of this Union, and every persol
born and residing in them is an American
citizen. Under the great charter of the Con
stitution our armies went upon the territor
where revolt existed TO make the rebellion
citizens submit to the laws, and enable tn
States disturbed by individual insurgents Il
resume their functions and exercise thei
rights, or else the national presence Their
was unjustifable, and each man who uphel'
the flag on that soil was an invader. Ye
this astute committee does not consider Oh,
debate on this question necessary"
dared not face the issue for to admit tina
the eleven States were ever out Of this Uniol
would be to confess that either their act O
secession was legal, or their act Of resistanc
successful. Law denies the first, and tn
history of triumphant conflict refutes th
latter of these postulates. To admit that tn
States were, are, and ever must be in thi
Union, is to concede their equal corporal
rights, and would condemn the unwise oppo
sition Of Congress to the Presidential polio,
ofrecognition, and would prove the severes
censure on the wicked delay, and the fiippan
defence OF the committee itself 1t is diff
cult to reason with men who shirk first prin
ciples. Said one disputant to another, I"
will prove the doctrine of atonement in thre
propositions" Proceed" said his oppo
nent. "well, You admit there is God
don't your mo" said he; 81 don't ADM
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