Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1866-06-22

SPEECH or HON. BENZ. G. HARRIS

SPEECH OF HON. BENZ. G. HARRIS
The following abstract Of the speech
Of Hon. BENJAMIN G Harris, in tht
House Of Representatives, on Thursday
Of last week, On the bill to restore to tht
States lately in insurrection their fnl
political rights, we copy from the Balti-
more Gazette AZ
Mr., H4Rnls, Of Maryland, took The
floor. but spoke SO low TINT it was alnos
impossible to hear him in the gallery.
Hesaid that having been up to this period
Of the session silent member from
choice, he deemed it his duty TO declare
his views upon some Of the political
questions. He should consider it most
ignoble act to win the support Or endorse
ment Of any man by the least conceal,
ment or deception. He declared that IN
principle he stood now as he stood before
the war as be stood after war was de-
clared---as he stood in the last Congress,
when he received It's crown Of censure--
as he stood in prison, and before that
Internal instrument Of tyranny, a court
martial AS be stood in principle, 50
would he stand in practice wherever
occasion required When he indicated
that there has been no change in his
principles, this House and the country
could infer what his position now was.
He was an old-line Democrat, and be-
lieyed in the doctrine Of secession. He
believed that the several States Of this
Union had the right to separate from it,
each acting for itself. He believed thai
abuses and usurpations had been praticed
and threatened to so great an extent BY
their associates and partners in this
governmental compact. that the Southern
States we're justified in going out, and be
further declared that by their ordinances
Of secession they did 60 out, and thereby
became foreign States These conyic-
tions he could not change, nor did hi
think they would be removed. He would
stand BY them and proclaim them as long
as citizen Of the Confederate States wal
in chains. or subject to penalty for as
sorting those convictions. There was nj
political or personal consideration which
would prompt him TO such . daNprfion
The right Of secession is the only thing
that reserves them from The charge b
treason. His voice would ever accord
with bis convictions. Mr.. Harris pro
ceeded TO state that there were some
things in the speech Of the President on
the 22d of February which be approved
The sentiment that there should be ne
taxation without representation camc e
him like the voice Of John the Baptist.
Il was the true doctrine. But it would
be seen that be was adverse to the Presi-
dents reconstruction policy, Andrew
johnson had been consistent in bis
policy in following Lincoln and the party
that elected him In bis Mr.. Harris')
view the Southern seeded States had no
right to representation on this floor, or
Ia the Senate, and 10 his votes hereto
fore he had invariably voted against
every application which has been made
by any person. claiming any such right.
He thought those States had no right to
furnish q President Or Vice President,
Andrew johnson, being citizen Of a
seeded State, is, in his (Mr. III opinion,
only President de facto, forced upon the
country BY their votes, attended by that
very effective implement---tbe bayonet
He contended that Tennessee would have
TO be admitted into the Union BY act Of
Congress, and be elaborated this view.
Looking to the laws which the Rcpubli-
can party might enact9 Mr.. Harris said
there is something in the spirit Of South
efn people that viii thwart your designs.
Ifthey have lowered the standard oftheir
Confcderacy, they have not lowered the
standard Of their PRIDE becoming
pride ia the estimation Of thoir enemy.
The Southerncr hasaround him, without
speaking of the merits Of the late contest,
tokens Of the endurance, courage and
prowess Of bis people. Sad spectacle
though it be, Il will not diminish bis
tone that be can. on his own soil, walk
over the graves Of nearly three hundred
thousand Of his courageous enemies, and,
Standing oHthc Yankees graves,
He will not deem himself slaycf p
Sensation. AZ this point tho entire
House gathered around Mr.. Harris and
listened attentively. The aisles and
spaces were all filed
Mr.. Harris continued. There we're,
be said, thank God, Southern States
enough to make the Constitutional amend
ment, passed yesterday, Intellectual. He
then referred to al Of The issues which
originated in what be called the Christian
North. and said that tho contrast could
be carried further. Booth, the assassin,
was not caught, but brovcly shot By
soldiers. He was brought to this city
lead, In order that the reward for his
arrest might be secured by proving his
IDENTIFY. After that lis entrails were
,orn out and thrown 10 the hogs, bis
read adorns some chronological museum,
lis heart Is preserved 10 spirits, bis
pinal column can be seen, By which the
earned viii see how he must have suffer-
4 BY The near approach Of the bullet to
he marrow Of tho spine. The rest ofbis
emains were deposited, God and our