The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-03-27
SPEECH OF
HON. JOHN s. MANN
In the Assembly, at Harrisburg.

lect, and feel that L VIII De DONG more JUS
tice to the opinions entertain, if state what
| have to say this evening, in preference to
any other time. Sir, do not expect by the
passage of this resolution, that any marked
effect is to be produced upon our Senators
and members of Congress, who are hereby
instructed and requested to listen to the voice
of Pennsylvania That portion of the delega-
ton from this State that has been loyal to
the Union, has given evidence already that
! they will vote right upon this question, that
! they will sustain the Government ir the fu-
| ture as they have in the past. And sir, that
portion of the delegation who have stood op
posed to the Union delegation from this State,
although they once avowed the doctrine, and
insisted upon it, of obeying the instructions
given them or resigning, have long since
abandoned that doctrine as they have aban-
! doned every other doctrine of the founder of
| their party; and now they pay no more re-
gard to the wishes of the State than if it did
not exist They now look upon the decision
of some caucus, held perhaps in some garret,
to be Of more Importance than the acquisitions
of this Legislature. l know that fact well,
Mr.. Speaker 1t is not, therefore. that | ex
pect by the passage Of these resolutions that
we are to affect any votes in Congress but,
sir, | desire their passage because the ex-
preston CT truth always has its effect upon
the people, and that it is by the expl eSSion OF
such truths as are contained in this resolution
that the DEGREES of the people as to the man
ner in which this government is to be recon-
structed are to be executed. And, sir, am
not anxious in regard 10 the passage OF these
resolutions because have any doubts as to
the final result upon this question. Men may
falter, this Legislature may become timid,
/ ~ fol thn
may fall from his high estate but, Mr.. Speaker,
the purpose of the loyal people of the United
States will be executed in tins country. They
are marching on with such force as not to be
resisted and he who gives any ear to the
sounds around him hears the march of free
mgn onward. | say, sir, their purpose will
be executed and that purpose is that this
/ broad land, every acre of it, from ocean to
ocean, from the lakes to the gulf, shall be
dedicated as the home Of freedom justice and
humanity; that here there shall pc no longer
oppression nor oppressed, master nor slave.
| And if it must come TO that, the people will
execute this decree in spite of the President
and Congress | have, therefore. no misgiv-
ings no anxieties upon this subject. "John
! Browns soul is marching on" and so is the
! great heart Of TIE American people. | have
no doubts upon Mat question and no fears.
am entirely and wholly hopeful upon that
question, and do not ask the passage of this
resolution because l have any hopes that 1t
will affect any votes in the Congress of the
United States ; but, sir, as the circle which is
! made bv the pebble thown into still water is
small at first and gradually widens until it
reaches the farthest shore, so does the ex-
preston of truth produce limited circle at
| first, which widens and widenS until, in the
! language of some enthusiast its effects reach
to the tarthest shore Of time Sir, it is the
! expression of these truths that is to enable
/ the people to carry out their purposes. This
! is one of the "appUinted means of grace" by
which the people are to execute their decree
| Now, sir. what is the truth asserted in this
resolution? One of the truths is that the
rebel States should not be admitted into full
/ fellowship until they have given certain guar
antees that the debt which they have created
/ in attempting to destroy the Government
| shall not be paid by US, and until we are Sc
cured in the just fruits of the result of victory.
Sir take issue with the gentleman who oc-
cupied considerable time here in asserting
that this resolution was not necessary because
the people have accepted with honest loyalty
! the mild and generous policy of the President
l undertake to say that the Southern States
have given no evidence of honest loyalty
none whatever. | say that the applications
that have cone up from those rebels for par
don and that they may be restored to power
and to their former possessions, have been
many and not far between but submit that
there has been no expression by any public man
in the SOuth--no expression by any public con-
vention in the South-no expression by any
newspaper in the South representing rebels,
by which any confession of wrong or injury
! ~ A. 1,
been made-not a syllable of it. From the
beginning to the end of these negotiations for
getting back into power, they have nowhere
made single confession that they have done
any wrong. True, they say they have failed
in the war; they are sorry they did not sue
ceed they are conquered ; they ask to be re-
stored to power, ,butthey nowhere acknowledge
hat they ever did wrong to the Government
of the United States, or that they are sorry
for the course which they pursued. We are
asked to forgive. / take it forgiveness will
be in time when it is asked for. On the con-
trary, so far from confessing that they are
guilty Of having done wrong, they use such
language as this. James R. Campbell. III
the Convention called to form State Con-
stitution for South Carolina, in addressing
that convention, said:
fI believe that when our votes are admitted into
Congress, if are toerably wise or gov rned by
moderate share of common sense, we will have our
own wav | am speaking not to be reported.
We W have own way yet if we are true to our
selves We know the past, We know what is TO be
our futOre Are we not in a cOndti to accept what
we cannot he,p9 Are we not in a condition where ii
is the part of wisdom to wait and give what we can
not avoid givng2u
That Mr.. Campbell spoke according to the
sentiments of the prevailing politicians is at
tested by private letter received from Gov
ernment officer there who is so situated as to
know the real condition of things. | read
extracts only:
"The speeches in convention and Legislature are
doubtless known to you, and the 'animusn pervading
all actions of these bodies Mr. mpbell expressed it
exactly. Let do what HAVE to, as little
are obliged TO, get into Congress somehow, and THEN
pay on the scole. One or two minor matters in this
connection mention as showing how the current sets.
y The election for members of convention, 4th