Des Arc citizen., 1866-06-02

The people of the Southern States and the people of the Northern States stood side by side in the great battles of the revolutionary war; they met in the coun- clls of the nation; they were as brave upon the battlefield, as wise in the council, and as safe advisers as the people of the North ern States They were the peers and the equals of the people of the North.
 In the war of 1912 they stood by the Government and they drove back the for eign invader. Were they your interiors? Does history establish that to be the fact? 1, They were your equals wherever tried and wherever met.
 In the war with Mexico, men from South Carolina and men from Massachusetts and Rhode Island stood side by side on the battle fields upon the plains of Mexico. We're not the men of the South as brave and gallant as the men of the North? Did they shrink from responsibility? They were your equals in every point of view.
 From the commencement of this Gov ernment down to the commencement of this unfortunate war they met in councils of the nation; they met in judicial forums ;; the filled executive, judicial, and ministe- rial offices side by side with men of the Northern States, and in every station and position they were the peers and equals of the men of the North
 You have recently met them in this civil war, with five times their population and ten times their resources, and they kept your gallant and brave armies at bay for four long years. Their councils were as wise, their measures were as judicious for prosecuting the war and to effect the objects which they had in view as yours were. They kept you at bay. The can non of their army were heard as often in this capitol as your cannon were heard in their capitol at Richmond. Does this prove that they are your interiors? You overcame them by numbers, not because you were their superiors in wisdom, in gal lantry, in bravery l admit and assert that they erred in this matter They claimed rights which did not belong to them Thousands of them, however, be- lieyed that they had these rights. They acted upon that beliof. But, sir, they have now surrendered all those claims. What policy will you now pursue toward them?
 Mir, Speaker, if the doctrine ofthe party in power is true, that those States are out of the Union, that they have cut loose from their obligations to the Constitution, and taken themselves outside of the pale of that instrument, | ask you what have you gained by this war We waged a war to prevent their going out; we waged a war for the purpose of enforcing't the laws against them. Wewere successful, as gen. tlemen say. The people of the South waged war to go out of the Union- They were unsuccessful. Yet the doctrine of the party in power admits that the. reb- els succeeded in accomplishing the object for which they fought.
 But, Mir Speaker, we are asked by gen tlemen here, and asked with an air great confidence and triumph, Do you want these rebels to take seats in Congress? Are you willing to admit to participation in the Government, rebels who have sacri- feed and slaughtered our people" No, sir
 If these people are not pardoned and ac- quilted they have no right, as they have violated the laws of the country, to enjoy all the blessings of the protection of this Government but if they have been par doned, if the political sins of which they have been guilty have been wiped out, do. you think your garb of loyalty and patriot ism is made of such fimsy stuff that asso- citation with these men would soil and con- taminate it? The mighty host, weare told, that is gathered around the throne of the Most High is composed of pardoned sin ners, the associates and companions of an gels, But pardoned rebel must not asso-