The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-06-26
PLAIN TALK FOR THE TIMES.

PLAIN TALK FOR THE TIMES.
Speech of Mr. Harris, Of Maryland, an tie u.
g. House ofRepresentatiues an opposition to
the report Of the Reconstruction Committee
Mr. Harris, of Maryland, addressed the House
in opposition to the report OF the committee on
reconstruction.
He said that up to this period of the session
he had been silent member from choice, but
he deemed it his duty now to declare his views
upon some of tie political questions which are
presented for the constellation of this House
aud this country. Although bis sentiments
were we'll understood by his ielow~citizens who
cast their votes for him at the last election,
there has been SINCE such .whirl ia the politi-
cal maelstrontha. they mi ght entertain fear that
his own position had been changed, or possibly
thew themselves might have been unable to
Withstand the mighty efforts made to draw them
into the whirlpool.
In either event it is proper and honorable
that he, as their representative, should make
open and frank avowals in view of the political
movements which must soon take place in his
State and district He should consider it a
most igroble act, to win the support or endorse
ment of any man by the least concealmeBtor
deception He would as lief cheat of
his money as, by hypocricy and fraud, to cheat
hin OF his SentlmeDtS
MIR Harris then continued as follows: then,
sir, declare that in principle | now stand as
stood before the war as I stood after war was
declared; as l stood in the last Congress, when
I heard its growing of censure as stood in
prison and before that Internal instrument OF
tyranny, a court-martai. And as l staud IN
principle SO will | stand 10 practice whenever
occasion may require.
When l indicate that there has been no
change in my principles, this House and this
country possbl y-for' the avowal OF them has
been attended by an unexpected notorlety-
may infer what my position now Is. am an
old line Democrat and believe in the doctrine
of SECESSION | believe that the several States
Of this Union have right to separate from it,
each State acting for itself. l believe that
abuses and usurpations had been threatened to
SO great an extent by their associates and part
ners 10 this governmental compact, that the
Southern States were justified in going out
and sir, further believe, by their ordinance of
secession that they did go out, and thereby be-
came to this Union foreign States. These con-
victions | cannot change, and'l do not expect
will ever be removed will NEST assuredly
proclaim them anG stand by them as lopg as a
single citizen of the Cont ederate States is in
chains or subject to penalty for asserting them.
There is no political or personal consideration
that would prompt, me to such desertion. AS
the right of secession is the. only thing that
secures them from the charge of treason my
vote shall ever accord with my COW lotions, and
never join in that verdict against them. |
should assign myself as assuming a most infa-
nous position if did. What, sir, l that be-
lieve, them right; | that would have joined
them if the sovereign State of Maryland had
said so, desert them now in their utmost need,
when can iegitimately give them such pro-
lection as is in my rover honestly to give p,
Never! -
In the course OF his remarks the speaker said
he was adverse to the Presidents specific policy
of reconstructing this Union. ln his view the
Southern seeded States have no right to repre-
sentatives on this floor or in the senate, and by
his vote he had heretofore Invariably rejected
every application which bas'been made by any
person claiming such right; and not only did
he believe that they have no right in their
present position to send senators and represen
tatves here, but he did not think they, have the
right to furnish US with President or Vice
President, although there are many, here aud
elsew here, whu while agreeing with him that
these States out Of the Union and not emit
tied to representation anywhere, have been go
fraternal in their feeling, aud so magnanlmous
in their conduct, to go beyond the line IN
order to obtain the services OF the gentleman
who at present fills the executive chair of the
United States. Being citizen of seeded and
unreconstructed Tennessee, he is, as also upon
their theory, only President de tacto, forced
upon the country by their votes, attended by |
that very effective implement, their bayenets.
The speaker argued that the Southern States
could only be admitted by act of Congress, and
with the assent Of their people, and he never
would vote to admit them so long the odious
test oath remained the statute book. y
Referring to the secession of the Southern
States, the speaker said 1t not the constl
tuition they fell out with, but the perversion of
it by their northern associates, and their persls
tent designs to violate and destroy important
rights which were secured by that instrument.
Those rIg hts have been destroyed, and can never
be source of discord between the North and |
South. Slavery has been abolished, and the
seeded States have acquiesced in it and the
negro is placed 10 the position which you desired
him to have when you provoked the war 1t
agopized you to think that he should be sub
ject to compulsory and uncompensated labor, 7
and your agony has been removed The idea |
Of the free white northerner working by the side
Of or 10 view of negro slave in the territories /
Of the Union, which seemed to horrify you, can
now have no place in your minds, and your
people and the free negro can mingle together,
both socially and politically, in manner to suit
yous tastes This is the full extent of your ex-
pressed desire; and why, when you have all
sou desired when the war broke out, do you
now throw obstacles in the way Of reunion
Gu even professed to 60 to war for the Union,
and now, when free negroism is obtained and
e-union is offered, you refuse it, and decide it |
to be important to use the negro in various other +
IL cx.fo q