Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-01-17

the President Reproduced, from the author
Of the Declaration Of American Indepen-
dence, the truth that the true intent Of
government is equal and exact ius-
tieeo 10 all men, This constitutes the
watehword Of the Presidents Message. But
of this the gentleman was obliyious when he
made his speech, In the first Congress Of
the Confederation a motion was made TO
limit citizenship to white freemen. Four
fifths of all the people were there represent
ed and in HIS the Deputies rejected il with
seorn, and excluded it from the flndamen-
tai law, and therefore it never found a place
in the Constitution and laws of the United
States. Having one-measure Of security we
may require another, and the purpose. of the
Constitution is equal and exact justice He
thanked the President for uttering this
waichword of the purer and better days Of
the republic. 1t applies equally to the
white and black man. The time was when
twas unsafe for citizen Of Massachusetts
or other Northern State to be found in the
streets of Charleston or Richmond, because,
in despite and in violation OF the Constitu-
ton of the United States, all guarantees Of
that instrument were disregarded It was
no more attempts may be made to dismem-
Der the republic. He repealed in scorn the
assertion that he co-operated with any party
which imposed unequal or unjust bur-
dens on any State of the republic. He
antertook to say that the President
would cooperate in introducing into
the Constitution that which win perfect it
so that we may reap the great end for which
IL
a more perfect Union, promote the public
ten in the front Of the Constitution. Well
might the President say equal and exact jus
tiee TO all men. He repealed every intilna-
ton that the representativeshere have mani
tested the slightest disposition to interfere
with the Just prerogafives Of the President
or to make up conflict with him. IfI the
day ever.eomes when he will find nousap-
porters, except among those who in 1884
were buried so deep that the hand OF resur-
rection can never find them, then God help
the President, and save him from his friends
[Applause.l 10N - 4, ..tei@ vosFsalI t-iJ
The Speaker promptly interPosed to check
the disorder and reminded those who pro-
duced it that neither such appreciation nor
disapproval would be permitted. - rsdif9l
more closely the Presidents position. He
had understood all his life that difference in
words was nothing if they agreed in sab
stance, The express position of the Presi-
dent was in exact accord with the position
OF this House, that the functions of the in
surrectionary States were suspended by their
own act. They cannot assert their rights or
claim representation ON this floor until the
r. Al e
that they have placed themselves in their
proper positions. The President says the
continuance of the States is assumed for
federal purposes. Once a State always a
State for federal purposes till the sad day
when treason shall triumph over the re-
public. South Carolina by her ordinance Of
secession could not blot out the State lines
so far as established for federal purposes.
The judicial district remains despite her
treason. The moment We captured Hilton
Head by authority of the people of the
United States she ceased to be a State for
municipal purposes Yet the American
people might open courts of justice there,
and proceed to execute Judgment accord
ing to law against every offender. The
whole State wasthen for federal, not for NUM-
cipal purposes, and never can be for muni-
cipal purposes until the States are organized
for municipal purposes to the satisfaction Of
the people of the United States The State
of South Carolina cooperating, when the
| national sovereignty comes to be restored in
South Carolina, Virginia and other Southern
States, the Judiciary will be extended. Take
care and discriminate between those who
were driven into rebellion by bayonets and
those who plotted and organized treason.
I There was ADHERENCE between Jeff Davis and
those starving and eonscripted men who en-
tered the army, depending on, it for their
daily bread. In conclusion, he offered the
| following asa substitute for the resolutions
of the gentleman from Indiana;i Las sal-
Resoireti, That this House have an abiding COM
fdence in the President; that in the future, as in
the past. he will cO-operate with Congress inre
storing the equal position and rights with the
other States in the Union all the States lately in
inSarrecuoh- yoTtl 15dl HEii q i-tl
Mr.. Stevens, (rep,l Of Pa, asked that the
resolution be referred to the Committee on
Reconstruction. ~ H7"l
Mr.. Bingham assented to this. 90 seinl
Mr.. VOORHEES, should like to see the
question met. .-. r..., ,....,.,...- 49,,
Mr. Bingham-1 demand Che previous
question. t'''''f'f' '.,'''
Mr. Noorhees4-Thst's flying in the face
of the enemy. If the question should be de-
cided in the affirmative would it carry my
resolution?
The Speaker replied that it would. - peg
The demand for the previous question was
seconded, and under its operation the reese
luton was referred to the Committee on Re-
construction. Yeas 1U7, nays 30, ,t.
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