Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-06-22

I '
pubiicans; Nays, 81 Dcmocrats--CeTt
fed Copies to be Sent 10 the Governors
of the States.
Special Dispatch to Pittsburgh CONNER
WASHINGTON, June 10.
The House to day took up aud finally pas
sed the joint resolution from the Senate pro-
posing an amendment to the Constitution as
conditions precedent 70 restoration OF the
| Union, But two hours debate were allowed
which were mostly occupied By the Demo
cIats In fifteen minute speeches. Alr. Stey-
ems, though evidently quite Ill, closed the
debate IN speech of fifteen minutes. The
House gathered around him as he spoke,
and every member listened ntently to his
remarks. He did not fully approve Of every
feature Of the amendment as it came from
the Senate, but declared that he was willing
to defer 10 others and accept it as a whole,
as it was now before the House The vote
was then taken, and resulted ayes 100, nays
81. 1t was strictly party vote, every Re
publican present, including Raymond, Still
well, Hale and Green Clay Smith, voting
for It. The Democratic vote was cast solid
against II. Twenty one members we're alb
sent. There was quite a large attendance
of spectators, but the usual demonstrations
Of applause were omitted
The Clerk of the House will now forward
10 the Governors Of the various States
! certified copy of the amendment for ratiica-
tion by the Legislatures thereof
The House COncurs in the Senate
Amehdments,-S Speech BY Thaddeus
Stevens.
WASHINGTON June Is.
Mr. Stevens introduced substitute for
the bill introduced By him on the 2Sth of
May, to enable the States in rebellion to re-
gain their privileges in the Union, which
was ordered to be printed The substitute
contains the Flowing new section in refer
enee to Tennessee: Section 9.-Whereas
The State Of Tennessee has returned to her
allegiance to the United States and by
regular convention of her citizens has framed
a constitution, which, on being submitted to
the people, has been duly ratified, and which
though not fully republican nor suited to the
altered condition of her institutions vet as
1t contains many elements of just govern
ment; therefore.
BE Il enacted, That the State of Tennes-
see may be admitted to representation in
Congress, and her present Senators and
Representatives, If found to be duly appoin-
ted, elected and qualified may be admitted to
seats on taking the required oath: Drotaded
that unless the said State of Tennessee shall
before the first day Of january next, either
By legislation or constitutional provision.
enfranchise all classes of her citizens and ex-
tend rhe right Of suffrage impartially to
every class and shall give to every person
within her jurisdiction an equal standing in
her courts Of law and equity, both as suitors
or witnesses, and shall ratify the amendment
to the Constitution, Article l4th. proposed
by this Congress, then the provisions Of this
act, 80 far as they relate to the State OF Ten
nessee exclusively, shall cease an become
null and VOID and the said State shall 40 l,ii-
ger be repre- scented IN congress.
The third section Is altered so rs to read:
SEC. 3. Ind be a further enacted, That
whenever the President Of the United States
shall deem IT proper, he shall issue his proc
lamatIon directing a conventions To Dc called
to form legitimate constitutions for their re-
spectlye States. And shall direct an election
to be held on a day certain, to choose dele
gates to convention which shall meet at
the time specified BIZ him at the Capitol of
the State aud form state CONSERVATION
which shall be submitted 20 a vote OF tue
| people aud # ratified by majority of the
legal voters shall bcdeclared the constitution
Of the State
The sixth section, declaring that those
who have forfeited their citizenship shall
not be entitled to exercise he elective frau
chlse until five years after they shall have
ilied their intention 60 be reinvested with
| the right Of citizenship, is amended so as to
reduce the tern to three years.
The Senate amendments to the Joint
Resolution proposing an amendment TO the
constitution of the United States were taken
l-trom the Speaker table for action by the
House
Dir Stevens stated that if the House por-
ton OF the Committee on Reconstruction had
examined the Senate amendments and were
unanimously Of opinion that they should be
concurred In, the amendments were 50 slight
That unless the gentlemen on the other side
desired to discuss it, the members on his
SIDE were willing to take the vote at once
Ii, however, discussion was desired, he sug-
gested that speeches should be limited to
nfteen minutes, as he proposed to call the
previous question Mt half past three clock
M Harding, OF Ky, proposed that the
democratic side should have one hour allow
ca them for debate, to be divided among
them as they choose.
Mr.. Stevens agreed to that.
1t was understood that the Democratic
hour would be parcelled between Messrs.
Rogers, of New jersey, Harding, of Ken
lucky and Finck, of Ohio He was followed
on his own side Of the question by Messrs
Fink and Harding, tui KY, and on the
Republican side by Messrs, Henderson and
Spauldiug.
The House then seconded the previous
question, and Mr. Stevens closed the debate
lie congratulated the House and the country
that scheme was soon to be submitted to
the people for the admission Of an outlaved
community to the privileges aud advantages
OF civilized and free government, and a
scheme containing, he said, much positive
good though emitting of many better things.
In my youth, he continued, in manhood,
and IN my old age, / have fondly dreamed
that when any fortunate chance should have
broken up for a time the foundations of our
institutions, and released us from the obIiga
tions, the most tyrannical that were ever
imposed IN the name of freedom, the intelli-
gent,fre and just men of this Republic would
turn to their professions, and their conscience
would have so remodeled all our institutions
as to have freed them from every Yestige Of
oppression of inequality of rights of the re-
cognized degradation Of the poor and the SUI
perlor caste of the rich In sholt that no
distinction would be tolerated inthis purified
Republic, but that which arose from merit
and conduct. This bright dream has vanish
ed like the baseless fabric of vision. find
that we shall be obliged to be content with
patching up the worst portions of the an
Gent edlflee and leaving its other parts to
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