Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-09

ment were required to make Il vaIid Rsi;ov;r.
that this was the best proposition that could he ef
fected, he (Stevens) accepted il referring 70 otbor
constitutional amendments passed in the Uopso
this session, and which failed in the Senate. He
said it was slaughtered by a puerile and ned,n,io
criticism; its death, produced by self-rigbteous
Republicans and unrighteous Copperbeads. had
postponed perhaps, for ages the salvation of the
colored race, but it would not do, for those who
had for thirty years fought the beasts of Ephesus
to be frightened at the fangs of modern cata-
mounts Heaven forbid that the Southern
States orany ofthem should be represented in Con.
gress as the monument of freedom is built full
high and firm. against the will of Congress The
Southern States had been absent four bloody
years and must wait till Congress is ready to re-
ceivc them. He believed that this Congress would
not approach the full measure of justice. till eve
ry full grown man In the late rebel States was
provided with a homestead, on the land where he
had been held as a slave. Forty acres of land and
a hut would be Of more value to him than the
right to vote. If Congress gave them that mea-
sure of justice. it would receive the censure of
mankind. and the curse of Heaven in conclusion
Mr.. Stevens, in order TO have control of the
bill, entered a motion to recOmmit it.
Mr.. Blain called the attention of Mr.. Stevens
and the House to an objection to the Sd section Of
the amendment, which he deemed serious, if not
fatal. That section provided that until the 4th
day of idly, 1870, all persons who voluntarily ad
hered to the State in instruction giving aid and
comfort, shall be excluded from the righ. to vote
for Representatives in Congress, and for Presi-
dent and Vice President of the United States.
It appeared to him that that was a violation Of
the Government faith in reference TO that large
class of people in the South who come within the
terms of the amnesty proclamation of President
johnson. and were thereby restored to all their
civil rights He asked Mr. Stevens for an expla-
nation on that point.
Mr.. Stevens admitted the pardon extinguished |
crme-after pardon there was no such crime in |
the individual Those who were fully pardoned |
did net come within the operation of the third |
section.
Mr.. Blain understood the gentleman from Penn |
sylvania TO say those who came within the terms |
of the proclamation of amnesty would not be |
considered as having voluntarily adhered to the
late Instruction.
Mr.. Stevens assmlated their condition to that
of persons convicted of felony, and thereby rem
dered incompetent to testify, but who, if par
doned, and his testimony was challenged, could
produce his pardon, thereby showing his compe-
tency.
Mr.. Blaine suggested that if that was the proper
construction to he given the resolution, it should
be amended so that there could be no question
lbOut its construction and he should at the proper
line move an amendment tO.that effect. The point
vas made by Mr.. Blaine and virtually admitted
,y Mr.. Stephens. The discussion seemed to ere
tie considerable stir in the Republican ranks,
numbers drew near and listened to the collOquy
With interest, as if recognizing the possible fatal
haracter of the objection.