New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1866-03-09

vote day in the Commonwealth Of Massach be-
ieye too that II this were In the Constitution,
il would bring suffrage the black Of this country
within ten years. and that when suffrage dld come,
under these circumstances would In the language oil
Mr. Lincoln, come TO stay; 1t would De hxed forever IN
the general policy OF the country. Believing this,
must give my vote for this measure Mr. Wilson was
discussing the various propositions on the subject Of
representation before the Senate and maintaining
that Congress could not by joint resolution, or by
law regulate suffrage In tho several States when he
was interrupted BY Mr.. YATES. who desired to ask a
auestion and said would like 20 ask the Senator from
Massachusetts whether by the constitutional amend
ment every made free Is not as free as that Senator
or myself; or in other words. whether he is not en-.
titled TO the same rights and privileges. by
which mean civil well as political privileges. as
the Senator myself Whether he Is not one OF the
people of the United States one Of the citizens OF the
United States and entitled to the same rights and priv
eges with him and with myself or any other one OF the
people Of the United States mean by the force OF
the Constitutional Amendment abolishing Slavery ana
ncpating that people, as contend into tue soyer
eighty into the body polite OF the United States Ihat
proposition being put as think the Senator from
will admit for he cannot deny accord
ing to the standpoint from which he sees things and
from which see things VIII not ask him the quss
ton whether under the Constitution, IL now exists,
States have Jurisdiction the question of citizenship
in the States but will ask him the question whether,
when we came to organic alteration in the Constitution
Of the United States and when We have in view the Sc
curity Of the rights Of all the citizens OF the United
StatesaDd OF course, mean citizens without regard
to race ,r color as these words, believe,
according 20 the opinion Of the Senator from
Maryland (Mr. Johnson) have no longer
any meaning under the Constitution OF the United
States. Whether now We propose to establish an
organic net by the operation OF an amendment 10 the
Constitution whether we propose 1t IN the power o.
any State disfranch!se any portion OF the American
people this Is the question for the proposition now
tending submits to the people OF the Rebel States to
decide whether the freedmen to have their rights
not Does the Senator from Massachusetts,, or any
other Senator pretend TO say that under this consttu
] Ion Of nj nj n ~
be decided by the citizens of the Rebel States by Nhci
| mean not Only white citizens, but mean the people
OF the United States the people tina. are as free snt
the same rights as you a ram, nave ncw
ACT OF the Con, ttution portion Of tho people OF thu
| southern States. and Rebels and traitors at that
10 say who shall be represented upon the floor OF the
Senstei These are the questions. do not put them
for the sake Of embarrassing the Senator rom Massa
chlsetts; but put them for my own Information, as
have not vet decided whether shall support the amend
ment or not The fact IL. the questions have disturbed
me 10 some extent, and would Ike TO have them
answered s., 4. - a.,
questions Of Mr. Yates frankly i will say 10 begin
With that the constitutional Amendment which was
proIosed here by the senator from Missouri (Mr Hen
derson) and reported by the Senator nom Illinois Ont
TrumbulD adopted by Congress and ratified by th,
peope was understood by any man IN the Senate
or House OF Representatives or by the public press OF
the country AZ oonierrng upon Congress The rght tt
fnrce the suffrage any State OF the Union l any
further that II Il Lad been supposed that it gave the
right IL would have passed Congress or received
the sanction OF the States. viii say, Sir that think
bercnd doubt or question, IL clothed Congress with
ample and full power TO protect the civil rights and
INN unities Of every emanopated slave In the country
That that slave is a. free as ! ann that the chic
emsnopated IN bis cradle to-day II as ee as the sen
a,or from Illinois or self and muoh citizen Of the
United States either Of but Sir citizenship never
did IN this country carry with 1t The right OF suffrage
or The ght 20 hold Office mnn may be citizen anc
not hsrsthe night OF suffrage. There are men IN Mas
Who been citizens for forty years ant
have not the right TO suffrage to-day.
| Mr. lAITs-Was IL understood ut the nue OF The
massage Of the amendment that would confer eiyi
rigiisi
Mr.. WILSON, supposed It did give Congress ample
power 10 make these men ~ free AS the non. votinf
white population Of those siate'as free women snC
children or persons who lad the right Of suffrage
But did not understand then, and i do not beliey,
now that IL gave Congress the power 10 olothe thes'
people with the right Of suffrage tbs right 10 holi
Office
Mr. Y,rrs-Suppose do not deny the proposition Of
the Senator. 1 will pat this question to him. dc
not deny the power OF the States 10 regulate suffrage
by any means 10 decide upon the qualifications o.
those who 10 vote. TO devise and "a make rules and
regulations IL Is the duty Of the States 10 regulate
this right but they cannot destroy IT, and ask the
Senator from Massachusetts, whether he believes IL IN
the power OF the State OF Massachusetts or Of South
CarOns In simply regulating the night OF suffrage. u
deprive the citizens Of State Of tie right 10 vote alto
gether
Mr. WILSON, answer that. right or wrong, Ii,
State OF Massachusetts has done IL.
| Mr. YATEs-That il not the question.
Mr.. Wnsos-The Senator NAV say that II Is not
right that II ought not 10 be done agree with him
In nv own State voted against an amendment 20 The
State Constitution requiring tho qualification OF read
ing. ,,.,
not allow the Rebel States 10 exclude the freedmen from
voting
Mr. WILSON, have never read or heard or seen
ANYTHING that convinced me that the adoption Of the
constitutional amendment gave the Congress OF the
United States any power TO regulate suffrage In any
State
Mr. YAns-I desire 10 know whether by the pending
amendment Sonth Carolina or any other state cannot
disenfrandhse them entirely
| Mr. Wnsoy-I may answer the Senator simply by
saving tha think this amendment leaves the matter
TO the Stairs precisely where 1t Is now. There no i'm
plicaton u Il; no compromise no surrender OF any
mower OF the Government.
| Mr. YATis-Tbe position assume 10 thia that before
the adoption OF the constitutional amendment the States
had right under the Constitution and under the decif
ion OF the Supreme Court OF the United States 10 dn
franchise tle colored people Colorcd men were con.
sdered subject race not part Of the people not part
Of the sovereignty. But Sir, by the constitutional
amendment they free Is the Senator from Mas
sschosetts hs day. Now, the question Is whether
with this amendment before Us. we Will put into TINS
amendmenta new amendment by which these states
may disfranhse these persons altogether
Mr. WILLOW. in reply to Mr.. Yates. read from the
opinion Of Attorney General Bates that political nights
and poica power were essentially different; that the
former belosged 10 all citizens alike and were IN the
very name and nature Of citizenship but the latter
| does not being TO all citizens alike.
| Mr. WILLOW continued bis speech Of some length.
The SenAe. at o'clock went into executive session
and soon sfsr adjourned having previously agreed that
a vote should be tax en- tomorrow at o'clock.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.