The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-03-28

| their states. must they not come into the
CuiOn anew But how come IN, II they
were never out. Il seems 10 me it reduces
/ the gentieman's argument 10 an absurdity.
The gentleman from Ohio IS much more
| logical th4n The gentleman from New York.
! He contends that as The states were never
out OF the Union they may send Represen-
tatives here and demand admission under
The Constitution without conditions or ask
ing leave ~ anv one. II both the gentle
men are right as 10 the status Of the states,
then the gentleman from Ohio i certainly
right. What authority has the gentleman
| from New York 10 question the right Of a
member from a sovereign State, except up
on the ground OF his qualifications BY
declaring these states never OuI of the
Union. does moi the gentleman see in what
deplOrabe guilt he involves the President
What rank usurpations has he practiced in
intermeddlius with the domestic affairs OF
Stale All states in the Union are equal
as the gentleman from Ohio Justly declares
How long would the President occupy the
White House. if he attempted the same
things in New York and Pennsylvania that
ne has done in south Carolina. Alabama.
aud other rebel States If believed as
the gentlemen do, ] should deem il the
duty OF Congress forthwith TO present arti-
Giles Of impeachment.
Al this point ] desire 10 say word
which may seem egOlistic. IOu may have
observed that since made my first speech
a. the opening of Congress giving my
views 0n reconstruction. certain newspa-
pers have been attempting 10 disturb the
harmony which existed between the Pres
ileni and my-elf In the most polite Ian
gnaee ami the most flatterine epithots
within their vocabulary, they have de-
nOuncri me a. the enemy vi the President,
and with the aid of certain high official,
a. havins waged a successful war against
him Those journals have, perhaps unln-
tenlionally. done me too much honor. /
will say however. once for ALL that instead
OF feeling personal enmity to the President,
| feel great respect for him. l honor his
integrity patriotism. courage, and good
intentions lie stood too firmly for the
Union. in the midst OF dangers and sacriti-
ces TO allow me TO doubt the purity Of his
wishes. But ali this does not make me fear
10 doubt his judgment and crlticise his pol
icy. When deem his views erroneous, |
shall say 50; when deem them dangerous,
shall denounce them. While can have
no hostility TO the President, may have,
very grave objections TO the course which
he is pursuing. / should have forgot the
OblOquy which | have calmly borne for
thirty years IN the war for liberty, if
should turn craven now
Mr.. Price. ! desire TO ask the gentleman
with his consent, whether there may not be
some mistake here. When | remember
most distinctly that the public press Of the
country for the last few weeks has been re-
peating the name Of a certain d" Thaddeus
Stevens a. having been used by the Presi-
dent in 4 certain speech at the White House,
and when hear gentleman whom | sup
pose TO be the Thaddeus Stevens referred
/ 10, speak in such strong terms in favor OF
the President, I'wish TO know whether he
/ is the same gentleman, or some other
I Laughter.
Mr. Stevens Why, Mr.. Speaker, does
the learned gentleman from Iowa Mr..
/ Pricel suppose for 4 single moment that
/ that speech to which he refers as having
been made in front of the White House,
was a fact Laughter. | desire at this
/ time 10 put the gentleman right. What
am going to say now, do not wish to have
reported. II is a confidential communlca-
ton. and presume none will violate the
confidence | repOse in them. [Renewed
/ Laughter.
Sir, that speech which has imposed upon
| the gentleman from Iowa, which has had
I a considerable run, and has made some i'm
preston upon the public mind, was one oil
| the grandest hOaXes ever perpetrated, and
has been more successful than any except
the moon hoax, which am told deceived
many astute astronomers. Laughter
am glad TO have at this time the opportunity
/ although l do not wish the matter % e
before the public, for they might mlsunder
stand my motives, to eXOnerate the Presi
dent from ever having made that speech
/ Renewed laughter 1t is part of the Gun
ming cOntrivanCe of the cOpperhead party
who have been prosecuting our President
since the 4th OF March last. Why, sir
taking advantage of an unfortunate Incl
dent which happened on that occasion
| laughter, they have been constantly dc
nounciug him "a addicted 10 low and de
grading vices. To prove the truth OF VIVA
/ say about this hoax, / send to the Clerk
desk to he read. specimen of this system
Of slander. 1t is an extract from the New
/ York World of March I, 1865. Let thu
Clerk read that vile SANDER from the lead
ing paper of the Democratic party.
The Clerk read, as follows:
The drunken and beastly Cagula, the most pro
Ggate of the Roman cmperors raised his horse 70 IL
dignity Of ll-,n oflce that in former times ha
been ulici BY the greatest warriors and statesmen
the republic. the Scip0s and Catos, and by the migf
" julius himself. The c1nsuship was scarcely NOR
dsyracei b. that scan la0ds TRANSACTION than Is on
Vice Presidency blythe late election Of Aedrew JOhr
son. That office has been adorned 10 better days b
the talents and accomplishments u Adams and JET
erson Clinton and Gerry Calhoun and Van BIreT
Aud nov see II file By this iBS0e1li drunken brIt
in comparison gith tOh0H ersH Cdl9alas h0rss
FpcctGbie for the poor animal did not abuse his Ow
And n rat nnIv frarII ia an
between this iHsole cl00Hish drInkGrf ani the Pres
dency May God bless and spare Abraham Lincoln
Mr. Stevens. Now, Mr. Speaker, is
any wonder that
Mr. Niblack. | beg to inquire of tn
! gentleman whether that may not also be
hoax OF the same kind as the President
speech.
Mr.. Stevens That was a serious slande
which appeared as an editorial in the Ne
= York World. That party. taking advar
[ tage of an incident which it is thought b
] many they themselves brought about, hav
1 been prosecuting the President with sue
SANDERS as that ever since But. s
1 although they have asserted it from tim
2 TO time, they have never made the loyal K,
[ publican people OF this nation believe i
{ and they never could. We never credite
it. but looked with indignation upon ti
[ SANDER which was thus uttered against tt
President of our choice. Being. therefor,
: unable 10 fix such Odium upon our Pres
I dent By evidence which the lawyer wOul
call dltRde, they resort, with the skill of
; practiced advocate, 10 another expedien
D Ny friend before me. Mr.. Bingham I if :
+ were trying in court 4 case de laRaficO /,
/ QuireRdO, and if the outside evidence wei
: doubtful, leaving it questionable wheth,
e the jury would adopt the view that insanii
; existed, would cautiously lead the allege
d lnnatlc TO speak upon the subject OF Il
r hallucinatiOn, and il he could be induce
, 10 gable nonsense. the intrinsic eviden,
u OF the case would make out the allegatiC
u OF insanity. So. Mr.. Speaker. if the:
J. ISLANDERS can make the people believe th.
; the President ever uttered that speec
y then they have made out their cas-
d daughter But We all know he never d
T utter 1t. daughter II is not possibl
;, sir, and am glad Of this opportunity
u relieve him from that Odzm. But tn,
= had wrought it up in such a cunning wav-
e Mr.. Winfield. The gentleman viii allo
e me. May not We hope that the iniunctit
!. Of secresy will be removed from this ear
,. est, generous. and sincere defense.
I