The Hancock Jeffersonian. [volume] (Findlay, Ohio) 1857-1870, 1866-02-09


den, of Kentucky. But now it is al
wrong to propose any amendment tt
the Constitution! ] believe the whole
Kentucky delegation voted for that
proposition. do not know who they
we're, but I venture TO say that the
same men, if they are living to-day
are in the Democratic party.
Here follows a colloquy betweer
the speaker md members, which W.
omit. =
1 am arguing from his position
and from the basis of gentlemen on
that side of the House, that peace
reigns. | occupy no such positioni
| do not think that peace rcigns ex-
cept by the armed power which en-.
forces it. And while / hold that
doctrine, I think that it Is the right
and duty of the men who have been
sent up here to represent those who
have stood by the Government in its
darkest hour, to make all needfuI
laws, and even constitutional amend
mcnts, to keep rebellious people in
peace and security hereafter.
SO far, Mr.. Speaker, as the gentle
mans question goes, why | do not
allow those States to come back and
be participants upon this floor, | will
say that they have not shown a loyal
spirit TO justify it, Tell me that the
men down in the rebel States are 10y
nj to the Government Tell me that
they are in condition to come here
and lcgislatc for the benefit and good
of this whole Union! Tell me that
they are the men to legislatc for the
widows of soldiers, and for the sol.
diers who have been MANNED for life!
Tell me that they are fit to legislatc
for the great people who stood 10y tue
Do we not know that these
lately rebellious States have elected
and put into the highest Offices men
who are the most odious traitorsI-
DO we not know that they are knock
ing at the doors of this hall and ask.
ing for the admittance OF men upon
these floors whose hands are recking
with the blood of slain lcyalists! |
want none of ten. ! want none but
loyal, brave men. Let them send Ia
this House men who, under the most
trying circumstances, stool 10y the
country. Let them know in those
States they must select men who new
er went into the rebellion. Let us
son. Let them place the power OF
States in the hands of loyal, brave
men, and reject these odious traitors,
and | will be ready TO receive them,
but not until then.
Mr.. Grider. How are you going
to discriminate against such men rs
Maynard, of Tennessee, and the men
from Tennessee, Virginia, Louisiana,
and other States, which States were
represented here pending the rebel
lion?
Mr.. Mckee. / will make n discrim
ination for myself do not do it
for anybody else. speak on my
own responsibility. will say in re.
gard to the gentleman from Tennes.
see, who is seeking to be admitted
TO all the rights and privileges of this
floor, that / believe him and Others
to be loyal men; but in two.thirds OF
Tennessee l do not sec loyal peo-
pie. l do not want to separate Ten.
ncssce. j do not think she wants to
be divided. / do not want to sepa.
rate East from West Tennessee; but
[ do wish to give wholesome lesson,
so as to make the South in every part
of it loyal. should like to aid those
gentlemen who periled their lives in
Tennessee in defense Of the country.
| am disposed to see them come in.
y
Now, il appears to me the gentle.
men on the other side of the House
ignore altogether the great princil les
upon which our government is found
cd, viz: that We are Il government 1T
10y the people. They are afraid to
trust the people on this great ques.
ton which properly belongs tc
them - The amending of the Con
stltution. They dislike to put the
subject before them. l have al
ways been willing to trust the people
of this country, and | am not afraid
to put this issue before them now -
| believe it best tor the future secur-
ity, peace and happiness, that it
should go to tncm. Aud in their
wisdom and majesty let them act up.
on it.
Gentlemen talk great deal about
Who is it that makes
these usurpations? 1t is the Repre-,
sentativcs in this hall who are simply
the exponents of the people at home,
and when the people indorse our ac.
ton, where is the usurpation? am
not afraid. The people will take care
of that. Now, sir, why delay actionI
Why stop to inquirer Why beseech
these men who voluntarily left the
Capitol, to come back here and aid
us in fixing and restoring the coun.
try? l believe that all men agree in
this, that the great fabric OF our in
stitutionJ has been shaken. We have
set out on voyage, We have sailed
smoothly, peacefully, quietly along
the sea of progress. At last u great
wave has swept over our ship and
shaken some of her timbers, but
thank God, it has not destl Dyed her
Now what is the part of wisdomf--
What is the duty of the men who
manage the ship of StateI TO trim
her sails anew, and repair her veal
points for the purpose of developing