The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-04-17

spend four thousand millions of dollars,
and as a consequence of which, more than
a Quarter of million of men-patriotie
laid down their lives upon
the battlefield, and in the hospital-are
these men to come here to legislate for
the loyal people of this country?
HOW STATES ARE REPRESENTED IN
CONGRESS.
Sir, these states cap only be represented
through state organizations. The mem
bers of this body can only be elected by
state legislatures. Members of the other
House can only be elected in pursuance
Of state laws. Hence, as preliminary to
any representation in either House of
Congress, it must be determined whether
there ID state government; whether
there is a state legislature having author
ity to elect senators and having authority
to provide laws under which representa-
tiyes may be elected. There was time
certainly, when there was no such legls-
lature in any of the eleven states. There
was time when the only kind of gov
ernment in any of them was hostile to
the United States, and had sworn allegi-
ance to a government hostile to this. Will
pretend that while state gov
ernment was in their hands it was en-
titled to representation in either House OF
Congress 3? If not, shall we not inquire
whether it has got out of those hands into
the hands of loyal men?
Sir, the proposition that no bill is to be
passed because certain states are unrep-
resented, when it is their own fault that
they are unrepreseuted, would be utterly
destructive of the government.
THE BILL DOES NOT. T.DIsCRIMINATE.
But the President tells US that the bill
ia effect proposes to discriminate against
large numbers of intelligent, worthy and
patriotic foreigners, and in favor of the
negro.
Mr.. Trumbull proceeded to show that
he bill on tie contrary, provided against
discriminating or partial Legislation, that
being its special object. He added:
AMI INTERESTING QUOTATfoS.
But, Mr.. President, perhaps the best
answer to this objection, that the OIL pro-
poses to make citizens of Chinese and
,ypsies, and this reference to foreigners,
S to be found ip speech delivered in this
body by a senator occupying, l think the
eat now occupied across the chamber by
ny friend from Oregon (Mr Williams
ess than six years ago, in reply to a veto
Message sent to this body by Mr.. Buchanan
he then President of the United States,
with bis objections what was
Known as the Homestead bill. On that
occasion the senator to whom [ allude |
aid:
"This idea of poor foreigners, somehow
II other,appea1s to haunt the imagination
If great many. am constrained to say
hat look upon this objection to the bill
IS a mere quibble on the part of the Pres
dent, and as being hard pressed for some
excuse for Withholding his approval of
he measure. His allusion to the for.
igucrs 10 this connection looks to me
more like al coptandum of the mere
or demagogue than a grave and
ound reason to be offered by the Presi-
lent of the United States in a veto mes
age upon SO important measure as the
Homestead bill"
That is the language Ex-senator Andrew
Johnson. Laughter 1t is perhaps the
,est answer, though I should hardly have
,entured to use such harsh language in
eference to the president of the United
States, as to accuse him of Guibbling and
lemagoguing and playing the mere poll
ician in sending a veto message to the
Congress of the United States. The
President also makes some other illusions
If the same character to this bill for in
tance, he speaks of the improperly of
marriages between whites and blacks he
hen goes on to say 81 don't say that
his bill repeals state laws on the subject
If marriages." Well, then, for what pur-
bose is the suggestion introduced in the
1eto message? Not surely as an ad
'0ptdndNm argument, 10 excite preJu-
lices, or as the argument of demagogue
md politician?
THE PRESIDENTS VETO AND THE PREsI-
DENTS ACTS.
The President further says: eff it be
granted that Congress can repeal all state
avs discriminating between the whites
and the blacks on the subjects covered
by this bill, why it may be asked, may
not Congress repeal in the same way all
state laws discriminating between the
two races on .he subjects of suffrage and
office If Congress can declare by law
who shall hold land who shall testify, who
shall have capacity to make contract in
a state, then Congress can also by law de-
clare who, without regard to race or color
shall have the right to sit as juror or