Edgefield advertiser. [volume] (Edgefield, S.C.) 1836-current, 1866-06-27
SPEECH OF NIB. HARRIS OF MARYLAND.
He Boldly Refutes the Radical slanders
Against the South.


we give large portion ofSour space to the
bold and eloquent speech of MIR. Harris, o.
Maryland, in the United States House ol
Representatives on the l4th inst. 1t is said
his remarks were listened to throughout with
unbroken attention, the smembers of the
House gathering around him as he proceeded
Many point, of the speech produced marked
sensation among the largeaudienee present.
We COPY from the report of the House pro.
ceedings, published in thew Washington paper
of the 18th.
The Speaker announced that the special
order for to-day was the consideration Of the
bill heretofore reported from the Joint Com
m;ttee on Reconstruction, entitled ga bill 10
restore to the States lately in insarrection
their full political rights."s
Mr.. Window, of Minnesota, addressed the
House for an hour in written speech in sup
port of the bill. The rebels, he said, defeat.
ed and oyerpowered in their wicked efforts
to destroy the Government by open force;
were now seeking to regain their former in
Auence and power in the councils of the
country, in order to accomplish by political
treachery what they. had failed to effect by
armed rebellion. The pending bill was a
measure absolutely necessary to thwart their
treasonable schemes Unless it became q
law, in less than two7yeafs we might expect
to find all the disloyal districts represented
mere by shameless traitors. Mr.. W. dwelt at
great length upon the propriety and necessity
of enforcing the obligation of the test oath /;
| but, at the same time, expressed his convic-
ton that the rebels would unhestatingly vio-
late all oaths, as they haddone before, when.
ever they thought that bSdoing so they could
overturn the Governments
Mr.. Harris, of Maryland. Mr.. Speaker,
having been up to this period Of the session
a silent mg5aser from choice, deem it my
duty now fsfeclarc my views upon some of
the political questions which are presented
for the consideration Of this House and this
Country. 1 should consider it a most ignoble
act to win the support ssor endorsement Of
any man by the least co4cealmcnt e or dcccp'
tion.
then, sir, declare thatsn principle l now
stand as | stood before The war; as stood
after war was declared; as l stood in the
last Congress, when received its crown Of
censure; as stood in prison and before that
Internal instrument Of tyranny, a court-mar.
tial And as l stand in principle, SO will |
stand in practice whenever occasion may re-
quire.
When l indicate that there has been no
change in ny principles; this House and this
country, possbly-for the avowal of them
has been attended by an unexpected notorie-
ty-may infer what imposition now is.
am an oldlin Democrat, and believe in the
doctrine of sectssior.4kI believe that the
several States of this Union have the right to
separate from it, each acting for itself. be-.
lieYe that abuses and ,qlsurpst tions had been
tent by their associates and partners in this
governmental compact that the Southern
States were justified in going ont; and, cir,
further believe by their ordinance oi seces-
sion that they did go out, and thereby be-
came 10 this Union foreign States. These
convictions | cannot change, and | do not
cxpect will ever be removed; | will most as
suredly proclaim them and stand by them as
long rs single citizen of the Confederate
St,tcs is in chains or subject to penalty for
asserting them. There il no political or per
so,.al consideration which would prompt me
to such lesertion. Az the right of ;eces
sion is the only thing that secures them from
the charge oil treason, my voice shall ever
accord with my convictions and never join
in that verdict against them. l should con-
siler myself as assuming a most infamous
Oosition ir ii did. What, sir, ! that halicrc
them right, that would have Joined them if
the sovereign State of Maryland had said SO,
TO desert them now IN their utmost need,
when can lcsitimatcy give them such pro-
lection as is in my power honestly to give
never
From what l have said, Mr.. Speaker. this
[Touse will readily infer that ain adverse 10
tho reconstruction policy of the President. l
confess that Andrew. johnson has been, in
adopting his mode Of reconstruction, consis-
tent with the views Of the late President.
with those of the Republican party that
elected him and with his own declaration
from tic time he abandoned the Democratic
party and Joined the Republicans. These
facts do not commend him to me; but surely
it is not his fault that he Is now at issue with
many of the people who raised him 10 his
present station. In my view the Southern
seeded States have no right 70 representa-.
tiycs on this floor or in the Senate, and by
nv vote have heretofore invariably rejected
eyery application which has been made by
anv person claiming such q right; aud, sir,
not only do I believe that they have po right
IN their present position to send s Senators
and REPRESENTATIVES here, but do ndt think
tLey have the right to furnish US with q
President or Vice President. Being a citi-
zen of seeded and unreconstructed Tennes-
see, Andrew johnson is, in my opinion, only
President de facto, forced upon the country
bytbeir votes, ATTENDED BY those very effective
implements, their bayonets. When I cannot
avoid it, l, like every one else, acquiesce in
de facto governments and de tacto Presidents !;
but il it could be expected by any one that
| can cast my vote at the next Presidential
election for Andrew johnson, of Tennessee,
for that high office, then, at least, the status
Of Tennessee herself must be completely
changed.
Mr. Harris proceeded Ito define his own
views in regard to reconstruction, expressing
his confident belief that the Southern States
arc willing to enter again into the compact,
and be subject to the old Constitution of the
IIn;,ed States. 1t was not tie Constitution
thew fell ont with, but the perversion Of it by
their Northern associates, and their pei stent
DESIGNS to violate and destroy important
riohfs which were secured by that instrument.
Those RIGHTS have beea destroyed, and can
meyer he n source OF discord between the
North and the South. Slavery has been
abolished, and the seeded States have ac-
quicsced init /; and the negro is placed in the
position which you desired, him to have when
YOU provoked the war. You know your pro-
posed amendment of the Constitution cannot
be adopted if the Southern States shall vote
against it, and L think you must believe that
II will never receive their assent. You can
never hope for such result, and they would
be- slaves should they aid in bringing it about
They will reject with scorn the terms Of your
nro2osed amnesty, and will await awhile tic
calm and consideratc action of the people O.
this country to aid them in again Aonorably