Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-02-09
CONGRESSIONAL.
THE APP0RTIoNuENT QUESTION
SPEECH OF THAD STEVENS OF PA.
In House of Representatives.. Jan. 81.

intelligibly, the true meaning of the PROPOSE
ton submitted by the committee. noticing
slightly the objections which have been made
to it. 1t is true we have been informed BY
high authority at the other end of the ave-
nue---introduced through an unususl channel
tina, no amendment is necessary to the con-
stitution A. our fathers made IL, and that It is
better to let il stand as 1t IL. Now, sir,
think very differently myself for one individ-
usl. | believe there is intrusted to this Con-
gress high duty-Do less important and no
less fraught with the veal or woe Of future
ages than that inuusied to the august body
that made the Declaration OF Independence.
believe now IL we omit to exercise that high
duty, or abuse it, we shsll be held to account
by future generations OF America, and by the
whole civilized world that is in favor Of free
dom, and that our names will go down to
postetity without applause, or with black
conde mnation, If we do not treat the subject
thoroughly, honestly and Justly in reference
to every human being on this continent. Sir,
our fathers made the Declaration OF Indepen-
dence, and that is what they intended TO be
the foundation Of our government. IL they
had been able to base their constitution on
the principles of that Declaration, it would
have needed no amendment during all time,
for every human being would have had his
rights-every human being would have been
equal before the law and no oppression
could have been effected except through usurp-
alton against the principles Of that govern
ment. But it so happened, when our fathers
came to reduce the principles on which they
founded this government into order. in shap-
ing the organic law, an institution hot from
hell, appeared among them, which has been
increasing in volume and guilt ever since. II
obstructed all their movements and all their
actions, and precluded them from carry ing
out their own principles into the organic law
Of this Union. But, rather than not have
harmony among these thirteen colonies they
postponed and compromised their principles
for what they deemed a greater good, be-
lieving a short time would work u cure and
purify the institution which they admitted to
be clogged by 1t. At that day ninety bales
of cotton left the United States in one year,
and now we have millions Of bales exported.
And then few slaves, comparatively, existed
there being only three millions Of the whole
! populaton-and now the black population
has risen above the whole population Uf that
| day to four millions, who are either to be
treated as our fathers declared by solemn dec
laratiVn they ought to be treated, or to be
oppressed by us as nsoent tyrsnts, for which
we well deserve the exeoration Of the human
race. IL has come to that. The time has
come when we can make the constitution what
our fathers desired to make it. The time has
come when, through blood, every stain has
been washed out, unless we choose to re-es-
tablish it.
! Mr.. Raymond having denied that be was
opposed to all amendments to the consttu-
ton, as charged by Mr.. Stevens, and declared
that he thought some amendment Of the rep
resentative basis necessary, Mr.. Stevens pro-
ceeded -
refer not only to the gentleman from New
York, but to what take to be the authorized
uttersnce Of one at the other end Of the ave-
nue.. am glad that the gentleman has ex-
planned in that way. Now, sir, since have
referred to that, | believe l am right, for
have no doubt that this is the proclamation
the command Of the president of the United
States-made and put forth by authority 10
advance, and at time when this Congress
was legislating on this very question made.
In my Judgment, in violation Of the privileges
Of this House made in such a way that, cen.
turtles ago, bad it been made to parliament BY
British king, it would have cost him his
head. But, sir, we pass that by. We are
tolerant of usurpation in this tolerant govern
ment of ours.
But some Of our friends are apprehensive
that this is an implied permission to the states
to regulate the elective franchise within the
states. Now, sir. venture to say that there
is not any good philologist who, upon read
ing this proposed amendment, will for a sim
gle moment pretend that it either grants a
privilege or takes away privilege from any
state on that subject. 1t does, however, pun
ish the abuse Of that privilege if it exists
Now | hold that the states have the right and
have always had it, to fix the elective fran
chise within their own states and | hold
that this does not take it from them. Ought
1t to take it from them Ought the domestic
affairs of the states to be infringed upon by
Congress so far as to regulate the restrictions
and qualifications OF their voterss How
many states would adopt such proposition :
If a state abuses the elective franchise and
takes it from those who are the only loyal
people, the constitution says to such state
" You shall lose power in the halle of the ma
tion, and you shall remain where you are, a
shriveled and dried up nonentity instead of
being the lords of creation as you have been,
so far as America is concerned, for years past"
Now. sir, | say no more strong inducements
could ever be held out to them no more Sc
we're punishment could ever be inflicted upon
them as states. If they exclude the colored
population they will lose at least thirty five
representatives in this hall. II they adopt it
they will have eighty three votes. Take it
away from them and they will have only from
forty-fve to forty-eight votes, all told, in this
hall. And then, sir, let them have all the
copperhesd assistance they can get. and liber-
ty will still be triumphant. Now l prefer
that to an immediate declaration that ali shall
be represented; for il you make them ali
voters, and let them into the hall, not one
beneficial act for the advantage Of the freed
men, or for the benefit Of the country, could
ever be passed. Their eighty-thfee votes,
with those Of the representatives Of the Five
Points and other dark corners, would be suf.
fcient to over-rule the friends of progress
here, and this nation would be in the hands
OF secessionists at the cry next congressional
election, and at the very next presidential
election.
would not therefore grant them this priyi-
lege-at least for some years. want in the
meantime that our Christians shall 90 among
freedmen and teach them what their duties
are as citizens. They will know them much
better than their masters. and / hope their
masters will take notice of what they learn.
/ say | want ouF Chriatian ,,an 30 - ......