The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-04-07
CONGRESSIONAL REPORTS.
xxxIxrn ooseREss-FrRsr SESSION
FRrDAr, April Q, 1866.
SENATE

to provide for the representation Of the late rebel
States In Congress.
Mr.. Brown. Mr.. President, 1 desire to inquire
Of the Senator from Kansas Mr. Lanel whether he
has any assurance that the President will sign such
a resolutien2
Mr.. Lane. Mr.. President, L have no assurance
from the Presiden o this or any other subject but
do know that the Republican party, Of which
am a member, Is erumbling to pieces, and that
every day we postpone the admission OF these
States insures the destruction Of that party; and
know that the adoption Of such resolutions would
bring the Republican party and Its President to-
gether in harmony, and will continue the political
power Of the country in that party. 1 hoped that
there was prospect Of securing such harmony. II
did seem that some members Of this body were
disposed 10 harmonic with the President 1 pro-
pose TO 60 very far to secure that harmony. Yes
terday we were met by one Of the most vindictive
assaults that has ever been made upon any official
from friend or opponent by the Senator from Ohio,
Mr.. Wade. charging the President, personal
friend whom have harmed to respect aud admire
for his pluck and his ability and to love for his
manly virtue; 4 man whom believe nominated
for the second Office within the gift OF tho people;
whose election I did my utmost 10 secure against
the efforts Of the Senator from Ohio, and will de-
fend him now against q similar assault made by
the same Senator yesterday, as defended the late
President from assault by the same Senator. A
despot and dictator! In what1 In seeking to
reconstruct the Union in spite Of the Congress Of
the United Statesl When Mr.. johnson took his
seat Mr.. Lincoln had marked out q policy. He
adopted It, and the people Of the Union, the party
to which he and belonged have endorsed II by
triumphant majorities. 1 propose 10 sustain the
President to-day and hereafter against all assaults
Of the character to which have alluded.
Mr.. Wade. Mr.. President, 1 don't know why
my friend from Kansas should be so much shaken
and agitated by what said yesterday. I certainly
said nothing against the proposition offered by the
Senator this morning. It soeus to read very we'll,
and may support II II, after an examination Il
meets my Vows Now for my attack on the Presi-
dent Of the United States. As Senator on this
floor, care no more for his opinion then do for
that Of any Senator here. Who Is your President
that we must all bow to him He Is no stranger
to u.s. We know his length and breadth and
depth, and he Is to be set up here as paragon and
we are to wear his collar. IL that what the Sena-
tor means Idon't think his constituents In Kan.
sas would approve Of that. Did make an attack
on the President yesterday stand by It to-day.
What Is the real condition Of things2 Here are
5000, 900 Of friends, hosts Of whom laid down
their lives TO maintain our principles, and who as
sisted our brave soldiers when they foil into the
hands Of the worse than sAyages with whom we
were warning. Here are these men subject to the
despotism Of these savages, their former masters
murdered, robbed and their rights taken away, and
every attempt made by Congress to assist them is
vetoed. Now, sir, how stands this matter. The
| President Of the United States did at an earlier
period, profess TO DO the friend Of these people,
their Noses their deliverer from bondage, and now
he seems to be their relentless fOe and to be re-
solved to thwart every measure intended to help
them. In his objections to our BILL he Is not able
to designate one single clause of the Constitution
| that has been violated.
| Mr. Lane quoted from the speech Of Mr.. Wade
that the President had picked this quarrel with
Congress, and wished rebels admitted, and he do.
sired the Senator from Ohio to point to q single
declaration Of the President oral or written where
he advocated the admission here Of any but loyal
| or true men.
Mr.. Wade said be was now speaking OF the wrongs
Of those three millions Of and Of the veoes Of
the President upon all measures for their benefit.
He Mr.. W had believed that the President was a
friend Of the people. but soon as we attempt to
give them their rights, he interposes with his We
| toes.
Yesterday he mfr. WI wac hsarged with great cru.
city because he unwilling to wait until recru
were brought in here to kill this measure. He was
willing to extend all proper courtesy, but in this case
1t was to extend death and destruction to three mil
lions Of people We were to wait until the enc.
mics Of these poor people could be brought in here
and join with the President In his efforts to trRmpe
| upon them. What did tho President say to the SO.
cossion rabbls which thronged aroued him on the
twenty-second Of February, and why did he hurl
anathemas on the majority Of Congress Had Con.
gress made any attack on him!
Mr. Lane. Did not the Senator from Massachu.
sets, MIR. Sumner, attack the President and
stigmAtiIe his message as a whitewashing message
before that time Had not gentleman of the
other House previous to that time said II the Pres.
ident had lived in England, he wOnld have been
hanged
Nj Wade. Does the Senator say that was nny
excuse for his attack on us! 1 do not approve Of
our brother (TrumbulD going to the President and
submitting bills for his approval before they were
introduced here. II newspaper reports were to DO
relied on, the President had been tampering with
members of the legislative bodies against our inter
est And, as to the Presidents usurpation what
right had he To stretch his Executive arm into the
States and set up civil govern ments? He asserts
these States are not and have not been out Of
the Union, and If that If 50 he is the greatest usurper
who ever set up.
In the course Of his remarks Mr.. Wade alluded
to Mr.. Voorhees, as a supporter Of the President
and said that Mr. " was a member of the Golden
Circle.
Mr.. Hendricks. Mr. President, that charge against
Mr.. VOORHEES, has never been sustained, and / now
give 1t fair and fat denial.
The Chair stated that the regular order of the
day, the civil rights BILL was now before the SEN
ate. the morning hour having expired.
Mr.. Wade continued The Executive was an ac-
cidental President and yet we were all to bow the
knee to him.
Mr.. Lane said he had expressed his intention Of
unfolding and supporting the President so long as
he stood by the principles Of the Constitution and
for this the Senator from Ohio said he (Mr. L.
wore collar. That insinuation was unworthy Of
any Senator, and he flung it back In the teeth of
the Senator from Ohio. Me wear a collar, who
fought as did against pro.slavery Executive and
pro'slayery Congress. The gallant fight made by
the Senator from Ohio here would have been Of no
account IL 1t had not been for the fight made under
my lead on the plains OF Kansas Indicted by
proslayery jury for treason, and 800, 900 offered
for my head. Jim Lane wear q collar. Sir, the
charge wherever 1t is heard, will DO denounced as
false by both friend and foe
Mr.. Lane then continued In advocacy Of the res.
olutions offered by him, and expressed the opinion
that they would meet the approval Of the Presi.
dent. He replied to the charge Of Mr.. Wade, that
the President had been tampering with members Of
n legislature. and said that SANDER had already
been denied under the signature of the member to
whom It was alleged the President had sent a let.
ter and he surprised at the Senator for repent
ing It, He then spoke Of the Connecticut election
and said one more such victory and the Republican
party would be unheard 1t 10 the Hrst scratch Of
the handwriting on the wall. The people have
asked that the Union shall be reconstructed, and
If 1t cannot DO done uudeT the great Union party,
the Republican party they will do It under the
Democratic party. In regard to the speech on the
22d Of February, the President was excited,
llaughteril he was annoyed and provoked and was
impelled to say what he did by consciousness Of
having been unjustly treated.
Mr.. Brown replied to some of the remarks Of Mr.
Lane, and said he would vote for the admission of
none Of these States until they granted unqualified
suffrage.
Mr.. DoOlittle then took the floor and discussed
the different plans of reconstruction. The plan Of
pFaaidant Johnaon xaa auhala tho