The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-06-16
Passage of the Constitutional Amendment
INTERESTING SCENE IN THE HOUSE.
Especial Despatch to the Boston Journal. !


WASHINGTON, June 13, 1866.
The scene in the House to-day, prior to the
passage of the proposed amendment to the
Constitution was an apt subject for the pencil
Of historical painter. Rogers, Fink and Hard
ing, each had his say in opposition to the pro-
posed amendment. Then Thaddeus Stevens
rose to say few words in its defence before
he demanded a vote on it. The "Father OF
the House" in years and service, pioneer in
the great cause of human freedom, a firm
friend Of American industry and skillful
political leader, whose ability Ignatius Loyala
would have recognized, Mr.. Stevens COM
manded the attention of the House. He had
lett sick-bed to speak, and it is not improba-
bic that he may never speak again in the Cap
itol When Mr.. Stevens rose to speak, mem
bers OF all parties left their seats and grouped
around him as If to listen to an inspired
prophet. There were those who like him
self had advocated human freedom when it
was a crime to be called Abolitionist; there
were those who had fought for liberty and the
Union on bloody fields; there were Democrats
who evidently felt that their schemes had all
been blasted; and there were namby pamby
politicians, who have kept themselves in place
during the war, but vino now feel that they
must soon retire to private life where they be-
long. All listened attentvely, and as Mr..
Stevens spoke, his words evidently made a
marked impression. give a verbatim
copy of his remarks:
Mr.. Speaker: We may perhaps congratulate
the House and the country on the near ap-
proach to completion of proposition to be
an outlawed community into the privileges and
advantages OF acivilized and free government.
When l say that we should rejoice at such
completion, do not thereby intend SO much
to express joy at the superior excellency of the
scheme, as that there is to be a scheme con-
tanning as much positive good as will, am
bound TO admit excuse 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 brok-
en- up, for while, the foundation OF our in
stitutions, and relieved us from obligations
the most tyrannical that ever were imposed in
the name of freedom, the intelligent, Tree and
just men of the Republic, true TO their pro-
tessions and their consciences, would have so
remodeled all our institutions as to have freed
them from every vestige of human oppression,
Of inequality OF rights, OF recognized degrade
tiOn OF the poor, and superior caste Of the
rich-in short, that no distinction would be
tolerated in this purified Republic but what
arose from merit and conduct. This bright
dream has vanished "like the baseless fabric
of vision" find that we shall be obliged to
be content with patching up the worst por-
ton of the ancient edifice, and leaving it in
many of its parts to be swept through by the
tempests, the fr0sts and the storms of despot-
ism. ,&le D .IFfTg# sgasf5
Do you inquire why, holding these views
and having urged propositions Of my own, l
acceptso imperfect proposition / answer, be-
cause live among men and not among angels,
i
as Independent as myself, who, not agreeing
with me, do not choose to yield their opinions
to mine. Mutual concession, therefore, is our
only resort, or mutual hostilities. We might
well have been justifiedin in making renewed and
most strenuous efforts for better plan.-
Would that we had the cooperation OF the
Executive! With his cordial assistance, the
rebel States might have been made model re-
publics and this nation an empire of univer-
sal freedom. But he preferred restoration to
reconstruction. He chooses that the slave
States should remain as nearly as possible in
their ancient conditiyn, with such small mod
ifcations as he and his nine ministers should
suggest, without any impertinent Interference
from Congress. He anticipated the legitimate
action of the national legislature, and by rank
usurpation erected governments in the con-
quered provinces, imposition upon in most ar
bitrary and unconstitutional manner, and now
maintains them as legitimate governments,
and insolently demands that they shall be re-
presented in Congress on equal terms with
loyal, regular States.
10 repress this tyranny, and at the same
time to do some justice to conquered rebels,
requires caution. The great danger is that
the seceders may soon overwhelm the loyal
men in Congress. The haste urged upon us
by some loyal butimpetuous men, their anxiety
to embrace the representatives Of rebels, their
ambition to display their dexterity in the use
OF the broad garment of charity, and especial
ly the danger arising from the INSCRIPTIONS
use OF patronage, and from the oily orations
OF false prophets, famous for sixty-day obIisa-
tions and for protested political notes, admon-
ish us to make no further delay fsi0
la A few words will suffice to explain the
changes made by the Senate in the PROPOSE
tion we sent them. The first section is alter
Ell 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 naturalized
IN the United States. The second section has
received but slight alteration. wish it had
received more. 1t contains much less power
than could wish; it has not half the vigor
OF the amendment which was lost in the SEN
ate. 1t, or the proposition of Senator Wade,
would have worked the enfranchisement of the
colored man in half the time. The third sec
tion has been wholly changed by substituting
the ineligibiiity of certain high offenders for
the disfranchisement of all rebels until 1870.
Ihls cannot look upon as an improvment.-
1t 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, and NAV give The
next Congress and President to the recon-
structed rebels. With their changed 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 freedmen and enjoin enfranchsement as
condition precedent. The fourth section,
which renders myiolable the public debt and
repudlates the rebel debt, will secure the ap-
probation OF all but traitors. The fifth sec
ton is unaltered.
You perceive that, while I see much good
IN the proposition, 1 do not pretend to be sat
lsned with it. And yet am anxious for its
speedy adoption, for dread delay. The dam
ger is, that before it shall have been adopted
congress will be flooded with rebels and rebel
sympathizers. Whoever has mingled much
In deliberative bodies must have observed
the mental as well as physical nervousness
OF many members, impelling them too often to
injudicious action. Whoever has watched the
feelings OF this House during this session, the
whisperings of some, the open declarations ol
others, especially when such able and sincere
men as the gentleman from Ohio propose tc
move to .gratify personal predictions by
breaking the ranks OF the Union forces, must
be anxious to hasten the result and prevent
the Generalization OF our friends. Hence, ]
say, letlus no longer delay. Take what we
can get now and hope Tor better things in fur
ther legislation, in en- abling acts and Other
provisions. s,...,
After concluding his remarks Mr.. Stevens
demanded the previous question and the vote
on the proposed amendment to the Constitu.
ton as At came from the Secretary. The ques.
ton was put, Alley, led with aAye," and there
was not Union man of any shade who did
not, as his nameGwas called, make similar
response, while the Democrats voted "No."
WoMEN's R1aHTs IN THE CARs.-A rail
road conductor was recently before the judi
cia1 aIlfhnrif of Rx.f4a1o 20 o,,crpa,.s 70, .