Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1866-02-20
dc. dc.
&c.
SENATE.

Y.
9, mr. Wade presented The credentials of Hon. John
sherman as United States Senator from Ohio for six
on file. ~ '''A1'''
PETITIONS PRESENTED.
VT 2autSoury presented the petitions of citizens of
Ierkely and Jefferson countess against the union of
on the table ' 9iiAi"' A4'A'"
= Mr.. Sumner presented the petition of the Colored
CONVENTION Of Florida, setting forth their grievances
sistance and the elective franchise Referred To thc
CHinnlttee on Reconstruction.
Also. petitions from citizens of New York askirp
!haI II republican form OF government be organized
u u me southern States. Referred to Committee on
Reconstruction. va
=, Mr. Morgan presented the petition of citizens of
rev org nfavor0i an international copyright law
t'eierren 10 Committee on Foreign Relations.
Mr.. CowGn presented the petition OF citizens of
Fhlladephia asking a modification OF the tax of 81
per barrel on crudo petroleum. Referred to Com
mlttee on Finance
Also. petition from citizens of Pepnsylvania prav-
ing such modification of the tariff laws a will afford
more protection to the labor and industry of the
country Referred To Committee on Finance
= Mr.. Irumbuu presented petition from William
Z. BrSant, and other members Of the American Free
lations. u ~ 4''
Nh Stockton presented the petition of citizens of
airy force. WI
Also, petition from the citizens of New Jersey,
against passage OF law authorizing the sale of
Stamps on credit. Referred to Committee on Post
Offices and Roads.
BILLS INTRODUCED.
Mr.. Clark, from the Committee on Judiciarv rn-
ported the House bill giving the consent of CONGRESS
torthe annexation of Berkely aud Jefferson counties
to West Virginia with amendmentS
- Mr. Stewart introduced bill concerning National
Banks in the States and Territories
MILITIA IN THE REBgT. srATEs
!Mr: Nlis0n oHered a aIOntresOlutOn to diSband the
militia force IN the eleven rebel States and prohibit
their re organization.
MIR. Wilson said that he had a letter from the head
ol the freemeh bureau IN Mississippi, that the
prI amor
men IN that State, the existence of the militia
companies, and that the officers of these companies
had declared that they intended TO drive off the
Illeyng Yankees, and all negroes who did not work
lor their old masters. He also had letter from
General Gilson in Georgia, and General Swayne, OF
Alabama, making similar plants of the disioyaIty
OF noth men and women.
The letter from Alabama states that at all the
social gatherings diSoyalty is rampant that Mt the
public gatherings all display of UniOnsmi is hooted at
Mr.. Wilson stated that he thought it the duty of
congress TO disband the rebel militia He moved
Military = fairs.
Mr.. Salisbury said he would vote against the
reference, as Congress had no power to diSarm the
militia OF state in this way. Under the second
amendment Of that now obsolete instrument the
constitution, no power existed. Mississippi was a
sovereign State recognized as such by the Execu-
tiye and unless they had power to diSarm the mil
ltia OF MasSachusetts they had none TO disarm the
militia of Mississippi. He referred to the various
acts of outrage committed by negroes and said thew
had no petitions here in favor of white men
Mr.. Wilson said these men had been disarmed once
now as then. He would tell the Senator that there
was scarcely a Federal officer in the whole South,
who did not think these men should be dsarmcd.
, Mr. Saulsbury-Has Congress the power to disarm
the militia of Massachusetts,
Mr.: wilson, am not prepared to answer that
question. Jefferson Davis advocated on this
floor that the militia was part of the army of the
United States.
Mr.. Saulsbury-Do you quote him as authority?
Mr.. Milson-t will tell the Senate that [ hold the
opinion that Congress has absolute right to dsarm
the rebel States.
he resolution Iyas raf,,rrol 10 tl,o
named.
-, RmEGMBTRsEMEYT m TO THE CONSUL At BAHIA.
MIR. Chandler called up the bill to reimburse Mr.
Thompson, the United States Consul at Bahia for his
property destroyed by a mob.
Mr.: Chandler said that, had not the Government
repudlated the action af Mr.. THOMPSON he would
have had a claim on tho Brazilian Government.
Through his lnstrumentaiity the pirate Florida had
been captured and though the Government rennGiN
ted his action 1t did not surrender the Florida the
people would not have permitted IL. lie wished there
had been more Mr. IhOmpsOns, and thought it an
act OF simple Justice TO repay this patriotic man his
ioIse2 s22yrtpa -. ..,- -
the joint resolution fixing the basis Of representation
was taken UP, upon which Mr. Yates, Of Illinois.
entitled to the floor.
BASIS OF REPRESENTATION.
Mr.. Howard offered the following amendment:
And the right OF voting for electors Of President,
Vice President for members of the House of Repre-
sentatives and for members of the most numerous
branch of the State Legislature, is hereby granted
the following classes of persons of African descent
citizens Of the United States, viz All males of the
age of q years, who have during the late troubles
been duly enrolled in the army navy of the Uni
ted States; all males of like age able to write the
English French or Spanish languages; all males of
like age IL the possession and enjoyment Of proper
ty. real or personal, Of the value Of $3.50 Ali such
persons to have been domiCied in the proper cleo
ton district for at least six months next before an
election at which they claim the right to vote. But
no such person 10 be allowed 10 vote who is of
sound mind, q pauper, or under conviction for an
infamous crime. And Congress- in default Of State
legislation, shall have full power carry this pro-
States.
Mr. Yates. before opening his speech. called for
the reading of The bill introduced by him, prohibit
ing any distinction account of race or color.
MIR. Yates commenced by saying that in the pres
ent crisis the duty OF Congress was one Of great
spOnsibility. Its action must be timely; mistakes
would be fatal and delays dangerous. Let not free
dom die in the house OF its friends they should legS-
late Tor the Wnole country IL was IN the power OF
Congress to lay the foundation Tor harmonious and
permant adjustment of all difficulties. 1t was doubt
tu whether Constitutional amendments could be
adopted and they could not wait for them. He would
endeavor to prove that power vested in Congress
TO settle the conditions upon which the late rebeious
States may be admitted ana IL they did not perform
their duty IN the matter, the power would pass into
the hands OF those who voted our glorious war a
failure, who opposed all our acts to put down the
belliOn, and who to-day would pardon Jeh. Davis
and throw open the doors Of Congress TO those who
have imbued their hands in the blood Of our loyal
cOuntrymen.
The work of reconstruction was more difficult than
that before fathers. The end was Smple-it was
to be freedom to all men. There to be class
legislation. But they found an institution in the
States which in conflict with this principle which
embarrassed their action and compelled them to
make compromise which marred the beauty and
symmetry of their work This institution, which they
(our fathers hoped would be temporary, proved the
fatal rock which the Ship Of State nearly split
asunder In time slavery grew from mere germ to
of the country 1t in fact became almost the govern
ment. Abraham lincoln spoke pTopheticallJ when
he said these States could aOl hair slave and
half free States rights was the of the war.
and he this question already resuscltated and
peepng out of political manitestoes in high quarters
cd %
orations God forbid that they should have any more
attempts at dsuni2n. But he was here TO say that
Illinois, which contributed 10000 men to put down
the last rebellion would senQ 5OJO to put down the
next (Applause.l
He then contended against throwing the question
Ofdecdng the status Of the freedmen into the States
and said that if universal freedom and equality were
imposed by outside power whose right TO control
grows out uf the Constitution all Will submit lift
was given to the States to decide the fundamental
question of citizenship, Inequalities, wrangng and
bitter hostillues hisht easug lac States were not
out of the Union; they may be out in fact but they
in in law They have not been treated as States
in full fellowship nor as territories The case s ano-
malOus. and policy OF necessity, and to Con-
gress was left not only the right but the duty of or
ganizng the States basis which will guarantee
security for the future lfnot Indemnity for the past.
Upon this point Mr.. Yates discussed the power OF
| of Mr.. Doolittle.
| He considered all the constitutional amendments
impractcabe, and pOstponng the period of reStOra-
ton If they waited until the South loved the an
KEGS and the Government whose strong arm whipped
|
| future. He hoped Congress would not attempt the
impossible task of making the South love the Gov
eminent, but that 1t would forever settle all differ
ences upon principles which would remove all cause
of quarrel. Congress had power to pass the law in
| troduced by him few days ago, prohibiting any
State or Territory from making any distinction on
l account Of race color. He assumed the ground
I tbo+ ,,ndar the slavery amendment Congress had
nower to regulae al matters affecting the freedmen,
He asserted that under that amendment they could
be protected in their political rights. lie quoted from
Blackstone to prove that civil and political rgnts are
synonymous, and contended that our fathers con-
sidered them. He referred to the pred Scott decl-
sion and said that its day past that il had gone
| down to that pit of infamy where much similar
| 8ickedness bad gone. The of emancipation had
removed all the disabilities under which the subject
race labored and introduced them at into all the
| privileges and immunities of the white race. He
negro race at the time Of the adoption of the Consti
tuition had been Free it must have been regarded as
sovereign race, and entitled to all the rights Of cti
| zenship.
| Mr. Saulsbury-Under the registry law Of the State
of Maryland onehaf of the people of that State are
/ disfranehised, although they have never committed
/ any crime. Many of the most prominent and alb G
| men of the State deprived of the ballot and
wish to ask the Senator whether they are citizens?
| of my argument but do say that neither Congress
or State has the right to deprive any citizen of the
elective franchise. will proceed to show that nc
State nor even Congress, unless by constitutional
amendment, has the power to deprive citizen o.
suffrage.
| Mr.. Saulsbury-Has the State of Maryland the
/ right to pass this registry law?
Mr.. Yates=With emphasis)-The State of Mary.
| land has no right to deprive any man of the God
L civ riO Of he frnna Vba tata