The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-03-10
Speech of Senator Creswel'.

of Senator Creswell at the meeting held al
Front street Theatre, in Baltimore, on Thurs
dav, the lst inst. to endorse the policy en-
tcrtained by Congress in opposition to that
Of the President:
Mr.. Creswell spoke very briefly, and com,
menced by saying that the issue is whether
loyal men shall rule the nation, or whether
in the hour Of victory we are to surrender to
the rebels, cheers and the meeting tonight
would indicate that loyal men We're to rule
Maryland as well as the nation. Applause. ]
Against the issue the President of the United
States had hurled his gauntlet of defiance
and referred it to the people. OF the Chief
Magistrate of the nation he desired to speak
in terms of the highest respect, and scorned
to descend to the depth Of vitupcration OF
those who assail Congress.
Mr.. Crcswel then adverted to the measures
pending in Congress, and upon which the
majority in that body are willing to stand or
fall As one of the representatives OF, the
State of Maryland, he had felt it his duty to
record his vote on the Frcedmcn's Bureau
bill among the thirty-Scvcn in favor of it,,
[cheers and he did this as matter Of con
scientous conviction Of right.
1t was not merely measure of necessity,
but of humanity. He disclaimed having
acted upon simply his own understanding in
every position he took in reference to that
bill, and, so far as mere measures were con
ccrnc1, he had been willing to yield his un-
dcrstandins to those entitled to more re-
spect than himself. SO far as the President
and Congress were concerned, the speaker
had endeavored to maintain unity between
them, and procure u concurrence of their
views.
But when the veto came, ncgatving the
whole theory of the bill, he felt it his duty
to record his vote against the veto. Pro-
longed cheering That vote he stood ready
to defend even if it involved his departure
from the representative hall of the nation
But great question has been raised. 1t
il said that Congress has no power to inquire
into the condition of the lately rehelious
States. and determine upon the credentials
of the representatives elect from those States
lie maintained that Congress had the power
and would fllter in their trust if they failed
to assert their right to do So The question
in its Constitutional aspect was too clear for
debate.
1t is asserted that rebels who have been
warinr war, aud involving the Government
in vast expenditures OF men and money,
may. the moment they throw down their
arms, be invested with the rights of citizen.
ship. send Representatives to Congress, and
wage the same war on the political field
which they have heretofore waged on the
field of battle. He denounced the doctrine.
Congress says that they shall not be invested
with these rights until they have given the
fullest and most complete evidence Of 10y
atty.
Speaking for himself and the majority of
both Houses of Congress he could say that
~ spirit Of revenge, but as against those who
deserted high official position under the
Government. and who bascly deserted the
army and the navy and prccipitated war upon
us. We say that these men must answer to
the republic. [Cheers.]
Mr.. Crcswell then reviewed the results of
any other plan of action. The Union men
in the South would either be driven from
their homes or SACRIFICED to the fury of the
rebels. He instanccd the Presidents own
State, Tennessee, and quoted the recent ut
terances of Parson Brownlow and Horace
Maynard, who say that they trust in Con-
crcss, and the imposition of such conditions
of reconstruction as will insure the loyalty
Of the people.
Mr.. Croswel here dwct upon the term.
"lova" and "disloyal,'' as now understood
by some, the latter meaning those who. wear
ing the uniform of the United States, had
fought the rebellion and conquered it. Fl
nallv. he invoked all to form in solid column
and laying aside all minor differences, tc
unite in the great work Of preserving the
fruits of that great victory our glorious he
roes have won. He would now, as he said
in 1861, willingly cooperate with any one
white or black, who would assist to that end
[Applausc.]
The following are some extracts from the
speech of Senator Trumbull, on the same
occasion:
A speaker in this city charged Congress
with usurpation in the design of keeping ou
of the Union these eleven States. If Con
gress had any such design it certainly would
be guilty of usurpation, but the assertion
lacked truthfulness. What are the facts 2
The war closed during the recess of Con
gress. The President of tie United States
gave encouragement to the formation o
State governments in the rebellious States
Where did he obtain the authority for SO do
ing? TCres of "Thats it That's t!"]
do not complain of his action, however
should be willing that the people of thes
rebellious States, without assistance from
Congress or anybody else, would get togethe
and manifest their devotion to the Union
and set up State government in harmon,
with the Constitution, and send loyal men tt
Congress. would welcome them to thei
seats. [Cheers.] Before the meeting o
Congress several Of these State gavernment