Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1866-06-22
Cunnrrssinnal.
PASSAGE OF THE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT IN THE HOUSE.
sPEEoH OF MN. sTEvENs.


ell OF historica, painter kogera, Fink ani
Harding each had bic Say n opplaiuon 90
the proposed amenimsnt Ehen rhaddaus
Stevens rose Co say few words in Fee defense
before he demanded vote on it. The " Fa-
ther Of che House in years ami service, o
pioneer n thu great cause of human freedom,
frm friend Of American industry and a
skiilful political leader. whdseabilty lgaaHus
Loyals would have recognized Ne. Stevens
commanded the attention Of the House he
had ief, q sick bed TO speak, and ii is noi i'm
probable that he may never speak again in
the Capitol When Mr.. Stevens rose 30
speak. members Of all parties laft thsir seats
and grouped aroand him as if go listen TO an
inspired prophet. There were those like
himself who had advocated human freedom
when 10 was q crime to be called Abolition
lee. There wers those VINO had fought for
liberty and Union on bloody helds there
we're Democrats who evidently felt chat their
schemes bad all been blasted, and there we're
namhy pamby politicians who have kept
themselves in place during the w4r. but who
now feel that they must soon retire to private
life where hey belong. An listened atten-
tively, and es Mr. Stevens spoke his word
evidently made marked impression. l give
verbatim copy Of his remarks.
Mr.. Stevens then closed the debate as fol-
lows:
Mr.. Speaker; We may perhaps congratu-
late the House and the country on the near
approach 20 completion Of proposition 20 be
submitted to the people for the admission Of
an outlawed community into the privileges
and Advantages Of a civilized and free govern
ment. When ] say tha. we should rel DICE at
such completion ] do not thereby intend so
much 70 express JOY at the superior excellen-
cy OF the scheme, as that there is TO be a
scheme containing as much positive good as
will, / am bound TO admit. incur the omission
OF many better things. In my youth, in my
manhood, in my old age, ! had proudly
dreamed that when any fortunate chance
should have broken up, for while, the found
alton of our Institutions, and relieved Us from
obligations the most tyrannical that ever were
imposed in the name Of freedom, that the in
telhgent, free and Just men of the Republic,
true to their professions and their consciences,
would have SO remodeled our institutions as
TO have freed them from every vestige of hu-
man oppression, of inequality Of rights, Of
her recognized degradation Of the poor, and
the superior caste Of the rich. In short, that
no distinction would be tolerated 10 this pn-
rifed Republic but what arose from merit
and conduct. This bright dream has van
ished "iiks the baseiess fabric Of vision"
fad then we shall be obliged to be content
with patching up the worst portion Of the an
cient edifca, and leaving it In many Of its
port. to be swept through by the tempssts,
the fcosts and the storms Of deplusm. Do
you inquire why, holding these views aud
proRositions of my own, I accept so imperfect
propositions / answer, because l live
among men and not among angels, among
men as Intelligent, as determined and indie
pendent as myself, who, not agreeing with
me, do not choose TO yield their opinions TO
mine. Mutual concessions, therefore, our
only resort, or mutual hostilities. We might
well have been justified In making renewed
and most strenuous efforts for better plan.
Would that we had the corporation OF the
Executive With bis cordial assistance, the
rebel States might have been made model re-
pub.ics and this nation an empire Of univers-
al freedom. But he preferred restoration to
reconstruction. he chooses that the slave
States should remain ae nearly az possible in
their ancient condition, with such small mod
ihcAtions as be aud his nine ministers should
suggest, without any impertinent interference
fiom Congress. He anticipated the legti-
mate action Of the national legislature, and by
fank usurpaiiou erected governments in the
conquered provinces, imposed upon their in
sututions la the most arbitrary and uncons
titutional manner, and now maintains them as
legitimate governments, and insolently de-
mands that they shall be represented in Con-
gress on equal terms with loyal, regular
States. TO repress this tyranny, and a, the
same time TO do some justice 70 conquered
rebels, requires eau ion. The great danger
is that the seeeders may soon overwhelm the
loyal men in Congress. The haste urged
upon US by some loyal but impetuous men,
their anxiety to embrace the representatives
of rebels, their ambition to display their dex-
terity in the use Of the broad garment of char
ity, and especially the danger arising from
the uDsorupulous use Of patronage, and from
the oily orations OF false prophets, famous
for six day obligations and for protected po
litical prowess, sdmonish us to make no fur
ther delay.
A few words will suffice to explain the
changes made by the Senate in the PROPOSE
ton we sent them. The first section is al
tered by defining who are citizens Of the
United States and Of the States. This is an
excellent amendment, long needed to settle
conflicting decisions between the several
States and the United States. 1t declares
this great privilege to belong to every person
born or naturaizsd in the United States
The second section has received but slight
alteration. l wish it had received more. II
contains much less power than 1 could wish
it has not half the vigor Of the amendment
which was lost in the Senate. 1t, or the
proposition of Senator Wade, would have
worked the enfranchsement of the colored
man in half the time The third section has
been wholly changed by substituting the in
eligibility Of certain high offenders for the
dislrauchisement OF all rebels until 1870
This cannot look upon as an Improvement
il opens the elective franchise TO such as the
States choose to admit In my judgment, it
endangers The government Of the country,
both State and National, aud may give the
next Congress and President 10 the recon-
strucied rebels. With their enlarged basis
of Representation and the exclusion Of the
loyal men Of color from the ballot box, see
no hope Of safety, unless in the prescription
Of proper enabling acts which will do justice
to the fgfedmen and enjoin enffanchisement
as condition precedent. The fourth section,
which renders inyiolabe the public debt, and
repudialos the rebel debt, will secure the APP
probation of all but traitors. The fifth Sec
ton Is unaitered. You perceiye that. while
! see much good in the proposition, do not
/ --.....l T.. l.. ..tt.H.I .stth a 1