Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-05-15
TnAD. STEVENS ON THE SITUATION.

What the Pope is to the Church-what
"Head Centre" James Stephens is to Fe-
nianism-or coming from the greater to
smaller things, what the ring master is to
the Circus or Arnell to the Tennessee Lcgis-
lature-Thad. Stevens, of Pennsylvania, il
to the present American Congress. What
ever else may be thought of him, he is no
insignificant parsonage able, adroit, bold
and inscriptions, he rules with more impe-
rial sway than any leader who has ever pre-
ceded him in that important body. There
fore his utterances upon the floor are very
naturally looked to with more than ordinary
interest.
From the debates upon the recent passage
through the House ofthe report of the $50
called" committee on Reconstruction" we
make the following extract. Ii describes
scene so striking in its resemblance to some
that are 10 be found in every history of the
debates attending the progress Of the Jaco-
bins Of France, that we cannot read it with
out fear that the same evils which followed
the dethronement of virtue and reason in
that country may be repeated in this:
"IIere there was n scene OF confusion in the
hall arising from members crowding around
and drawing near To Mr.. Stevens.
The Speaker directed the members TO take
their seats.
Mr.. Stevens resuming, said he should be
sorry il the third section should he stricken
out because then, before any portion of the
amendment could he put into operation, the
other side of the House would Toe filled with
yelling Seoessionists and approving Copper
heads. Give us, therefore he continued,
the third section or give ms nothing. Donot
mock us with the pretense Of an amendment
which throws the Union into the hands of
its enemies. Gentlemen say We are striving
for party.
] do seek to sustain my party when that
party is necessary 10 save the Union. |
say rally TO your party and save that
party, or You lose the Union. | do net hes
itate TO say that that section is there TO save
or destroy the Union. Gentlemen tell Us
that is too strong. Too strong for what?
too strong for their stomachs, but not for the
people. Some say IL is too lcnlont. 1t Is
too lenient for my hard heart. Would to
God that the exclusion of rebels might not
only run TO the year 1876, but TO the year
nineteen thousand and seventy-six. lt would |
De then but too mild a punishment. But | |
near il said you must not humble these peo- |
DE Humble them, why noG DO they not |
eserve humiliation DO they not deserve |
egradation? If they do not, who docs? |
What animal or felon deserves il more? |
hcv have not yet confessed their sins, why |
lould thew be forgiven? lie, who admin
,,,l M
I the sinner confesses at the footstool of /
over. Why should we forgive, any more |
ian he? IL they are 10 come back, let them |
,n,. back in sackcloth and ashes. Let them |
me back and ask for forgiveness, and then /
4 M consider whom we shall forgive and |
bom we shall exclude. That is my prin-
ple. All | regret is, that this Is not suti-
emily stringent Let not these friends of |
,cession and seoessionists sing 10 me |
leir halcyon songs of peace and good
in until they can stop my ears 10 the /
,rieks and groans Of the dying victims
Memphis. a scene more horrible in
rncities. though not 10 the same extent,
ian the terrible tragedy of jamaica.
While am willing that these rebel States
,all be represented here, | pray you not 70
limit those who have caused the slaughter
millions of our countrymcn, while their
othes are still wet with blood. Wait I'M
they are differently clad. | do not want
SIT side by side with men whose garments
oell of the blood Of my kindred. Gentle
en- forget the scenes that took place here
,enty-fve wears ago, when the mighty
combs. with his shaggy locks, headed
,uthern fre-eaters with shouts of defiance,
nd rendered this House a he'll of legisla-
m. They seem 10 forget the scenes en-
ted here six years ago, before Southern
smbers left the Hall TO join the armies of
taline. and when, encouraged by their al
:. they came on here in one yelling body,
.ause speech for freedom was being
de on this side, and when the rufian
,ig. Of North Carolina, drew pistol. and
assassin Barksdale drew a bowie-knlie.
ir. Theyer reminded Mr. Stevens that
third section did not affect the eligibili-
4 those persons as representatives, but
ely excluded them from voting, and he
ID him IL he thought he could build a
itentiary big enough TO hold eight mil
IS Of people?
lr. Stevens Yes, sir that penitentisry
> ca is guarded BY bayonc,s, down below;
II they undertake 10 come back we will
1t them. The penitentiary of hell is the
iteniiary that they deserve TO have ill
D."