Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-06-09
From Washington.

WASHINGTON, June S.-Ihe hnal re-
mort of the Reconstruction Committee,
setting forth the reasons for the action
of the majority, was read in both Houses
to-day. The conclusions of the Commit
tee are, briefly, that the people of the
South have proved themselves Insurgents
and traitors, and forfeited all their poliii-
cal rights and privileges, and that the
so-called Confederate States are not en-
titled to representation in Congress, and
that before allowing inadequate security
for future peace and safety, it should be
REQUIRED from them, and this can only
be found on such changes of the organic
laws, as shall determine the civil rights
and privileges of the citizens in all parts
of the Republic, and that representation
should be on an equality basis, that
stigma should be fixed on treason, and
protection given TO loyal people, against
further claims for expenses incurred BY
the rebellion, and for slaves emancipated
by the war, together with an express
grant of the power in Congress to enforce
these provisions And to this end the
Committee advocate the joint resolution,
amendatory to the Constitution, and of
the two separate bills designed to carry
the same into effect The Committee
claim, in conclusion, that these bills are
the result Of Cancellation and conces-
sion, and the report is signed by ten Re
publican members The dissenters are
Senators Johnston and Representatives
Order and Rodgers 100
REPORT OF RECONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE.
The Committee say that the. Governors
appointed by the President could not
exercise any but military power or au-
thority, and they had no power to orga-
nize civil governments; neither had the
President any other than military power.
He might perhaps have permitted the
people to initiate local governments, and
execute such local laws as they might
choose 10 enact, if satisfied that they
could do it with safety to themselves.
He might then withdraw the military
force altogether, and leave the people &c
govern themselves without his interfer.
'ence. The gigantic civil war was neces
sarily subject to rules, which, by the laws
of nations, control in contest OF that
character. and to the legitimate conse-
quences following it. One Of these
viz: within the limits prescribed by
humanity, the conquered rebels were
at the mercy Of their conquerors.
The committee continues TO say,
from the whole mass of testimo-
ny submitted to the President,
it appears in no instance in the
Southern States, was any regard paid to
any other consideration than that Of OBJ
tanning immediate admission 10 Con
gress under barren form Of an election
in which no precautions we're taken tC
secure the regularity Of the proceedings
or the assent of the people No constitu
ton had been legally adopted, excepl
perhaps that Of Tennessee, and sucf
elections as were held were without su
thority in law The committee are &C
cordingly forced to conclude that thu
Southern States have not placed them
selves in condition to claim represen
tation in Congress, unless all the rule
which have, since the foundation of thu
, Government, been deemed essential IL
such cases, shall be disregarded Tn
committee review at length the condition
of the Southern people, saying that tn
latter claim as right the privilege o
participation in a Government whicl
they sought to overthrow, while thei
press abounds in abuse OF the loya
States and loyal men, and efforts are be
ing made to perpetuate deadly hate ant
discord between the two sections, ant
excite hestilities against the Fedora
Government Indeed, all feelings Of con
ciliation on the part Of the North hav'
been treated with contempt The bitter
ness and defiance against us has beef
unparalleled in the history of the world
considering the circumstances. In return