The national Republican., 1866-06-15
MIR. STEVENS AND NON-REsTOR-

a AIHVNssera
The "fend's arch mock--to lip wanton
and suppose her chaste," is parallelled by
THAD STEVENS whenever he appeals 10 the
sympathies Of the House in behalf Of his
IDEAS Of reconstruction In his speech upon
the redistribution amendment, on Wednes-
day, he indulged in the following jeremiade;
"In my youth, in my manhood, In my old age,
had proudly dreamed that when any fortunate
chance should have broken up for awhile the founda
tion Of our institutions and released from obli.
Rations the most tyrannical that ever man imposed
In the name Of freedom, that the intelligent pure
and Just men Of this Republic, true 10 their pro-
fessons and their consoienoes, would have 90 re-
modelled all our Institutions to have freed them
from every vestge Of human oppression Of Unequal.
ity Of rights Of the recognised degradation Of the
poor and the superior caste Of the rich. In Short
that distinction would be tolerated In this puri
fed Republic but what arose from merit and con-
duct This bright dream has vanished "like the
baseless fabric OF vision" End that we shall
be obliged TO be content with patching up the
worst portions Of the ancient edihoe, and leaving
IT, In many Of Its parts to be swept through BY the
teupests, the frosts and the storms Of despotism"
Immediately after this the cheerful old
gentleman proceeds to state that his reasons
for giving in his adhesion to proposition
which recognizes the degradation Of the poor,
and allows 1.-THE tempests, the frosts, and the
storms Of despotism" to sweep through the
edi6ce Of our Republican Government is
the terrible conduct Of President JOHNSON,
who is accused by Mr.. STEVENS as follows:
"Hs chooses that the siaps States should remain
as nearly possbks thar aReisnt condition, with
such small notifications as he and his nine minis
tiers should suggest without any impertinont inter
r.. g.. H.. II ~. ..tt
mate action Of the national Legislature, and BY
rank usurpation erected governments In the con-
quered provinces imposed upon them institutions
in the most arbitrary and unconstitutional manner;
and now maintains them as legitimate governments,
aud tHsoisntiy demands that they shall be repre-
seuted in Congress on equal terms with loyal and
regular States" .l .rr.
After having made that speech, and then
having given audible and ineligible direc-
tions for his dinner, we conclude that no lie
could be made strong enough to blister Mr..
STEVENS leaShery tongue. What were TIE
Presidents "insolent demands 7" In his
message to the Thirty-Ninth Congress he
said that resistance to the authority Of the
Government having ceased, the States that
lately attempted to throw off their allegiance
ought to be made to resume their relations
to the Government:
"That all pretended acts Of secession were, from
the beginning, null and void. The States cannot
commit treason, nor screen the individual citizens
who may have committed treason, any more than
they can make valid treaties or engage In lawful
commerce with any foreign power The States at
tempting to secede placed themselves In q condi-
ton whore their vitality was impaired, but not
tnguished-their functions suspended, but not de-
stroyed." s. N".# ..I
The president says, also, that he had
asked the lately rebellious States to adopt
the amendment TO the Constitution abolish
ing slavery saying upon this point
"Untii 1t is done, the past, however much we
may desire II, will not be forgotten. The adoption
Of the amendment reunites us beyond all power Of
disruption 1t heals the wound that is still imper.
which has so long perplexed and divided the ooun.
try; It makes Of us once more united people, re-
newed and strengthened, bound more than ever TO
mutual affection and support"
And he further declares that
The amendment to the Constitution being
adopted, 1t would remain for the States, whose
powers have been so long in allegiance, to resume
their places in the two branches Of the National
Legislature, and thereby complete the work Of res
torntion. Here Is for yon Jeiioto. .ettiEs,s ofte
Senate, and for you, JsfiOH-eti Of the Home of
Representatives., 10 Judge each Of yoH for yoyssioes
Of The elections, returns, ana qualifications Of your
oi1I members" ... -.
Here is the insolent demand made by
President JOHNSON upon which the radical
fustian Of Mr.. STEVENS is based. The insolence
Of THE PRESIDENT consists in his adherence
to the charter Of our liberties. He will not
surrender to the doctrine of secession, and
will not acknowledge that JEFF. DAVIS and
his co-workers in treason accomplished their
purpose Of destroying the Union.