The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1866-04-26

a very impolitic measure. | wished if pop-
slble, to restore, to preserve and perpetuate
the principles Of the Constitution. This,
was not without hope might be done in the
new confederacy of States formed. When
the conflict arose, my efforts were directed
TO as speedy and peaceful an adjustment of
the question as possible. This adjustment
| alwnys thought to be lasting and would
have ultimately, to be settled upon con-
stitutional basis founded upon the principles
of mutual convenience and reciprocal ad-
vantages on the part of the States in which
the Constitution of the United States was
originally formed. | was welded to no
particular plan of adjustment, except the
recognition, as basis, of the social sove-
reignty of the several States. With this rec
ognized principle | thought all other ques-
tions of difference might so adjust them
selves according to the best interests, peace,
welfare and prosperity of the whole country,
as enlightened reason, calm judgment and
sense of justice might direct This doc
trine OF the sovereignty of the several States
is self-adJustlng, regulating principle of
our American system of State government
extending possibly over the continent.
O. Have your sentiments undergone any
change since tue opening of the rebellion, in
reference to the reserved rights of the States
under the Constitution of the United States?
A. My convictions on the original alb
stract question have undergone no change,
but accept the issue of the war and the re-
suit as a practical settlement of that ques-
ton. The sword was appealed to, to decide
the question, and by the decision of the
sword | am willing to abide a.t
In the first of the above extracts Mr..
Stephens speaks for the people of Georgia.
He says they resorted to the right G) of Sc
cession, ''from desire to render their lib
critics more secure" That is. the people of
Georgia bad become so confused in their
ideas of liberty and freedom, from con-
slant misuse Of terms, that they thought it
necessary to destroy free government,
based upon the equal rights ofall its citizens,
and establish one having slavery its chief
corner stone, in which capital should O,ca
all the labor of the State and the few large
Shareholders form a ruling aristocracy.-
Under such a Government they thought
their liberties would be more secure They
evidently meant their Slavery.
In the second extract Mr. stephens speaks
for himself lie says he opposed secession
as question of policy not one of right.
Although he had taken the oath to preserve
the constitution of the United States many
times yet all the time it must have been
with the mental reservation or proviso-
provided it does not seem to be policy to ex-
ercise my right to destroy it Again he
says, he accepted the position of Vice Presi
dent under the rebellion, with the sole oh.
ject of preserving and perpetuating the con-
stitution! That is he accepted the second
office in the would be confederacy which
was fighting to destroy the Constitution and
free institutions of the United States for the
sole purpose of preserving its principles
And he distinctly declares that his convic
tions on the original abstract question of
his right to make war upon and destroy the
government to which he has sworn allie
glance and which he has solenlnly sworn t.
protect and preserve, at any time he may
think it policy to do it! Was there ever g
greater perversion of language or more
perfect or painful spectacle of moral and DO.
litical turpitude
And yet we have men in our midst pre-
tending to be the special friends and sup
porters of the administration, who point
triumphantly to the testimony of Mr. Ste
phens, as conclusive evidence that JEFF Da.
Wis and ali his class are guiItIess of crime
and should therefore be at once restored tc
all their former rights and privileges, with
ample compensation or damages for false
imprisonment.
But we have still further instances of this
misapplication of language, and utter con
fusion or perverson of its meaning. The
Memphis Argus, speaking of the passage o.
the Civil Rights bill over the Presidents
veto exclaims:
nAOIuCt cLOP HAS DC6u ldkCD toward 6X-
tinguishng the last remnant Of American
freedom Another blow has been struck at
the. liberties of the people Another act in
the drama of anarchy has just appeared -
The star that arose amid the convulsive
throes ofthe first revolution has set in gloom.
And now the true patriot can only weep at
the madness of those who would plunge all
the bright hopes of the nation into sea of
despair. Congress has passed the Civil
Rights bill over the veto of the President +"
Now everybody knows that the Civil
Rights Bill, which this Memphis paper de-
clares is another step tow ard ''extinguish-
ing the last remnant of American freedom, i"
another blow sat the liberties of the peo.
ple" &c, is simply benefcent and protec-
tive-to guarantee to all citizens of the
United States, no matter how poor or how
weak, equal civil rights. 1t restricts no
persons rights or franchises in the leastex-
cept the questionable right % Of the late
shareholders to oppress abuse and tyrannize
over the freedmen and their poor white
neghbors. ..............l
The Mobile Register speaking of the same
matter the passage ofthe Civil Rights Bill,
says:
"Ihe passage Of this measure, SO soon af
ter the Peace Proclamation, indicates a
reckless determination to push the war upon
the Constitution and upon the cause of Jus
tice, humanity and fraternity, to the yery
knife. 1t reminds us of the exclamation Of
the Psalmist when speak to them of
peace, they make themselves ready for war.
1t shows fixed resolve to trample the very
life out of the conquered South, if possible.
GLOW long we might ask-how long ia
this reckless and wicked spirit to rule in the
halls of Congress But we had almost for
gotten that we are as yet only spectators of
the great struggle between the powers of
good and evil If it is to come to a final