The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-07-11

while the rebels OF kentucky were IN
the rebel army. In 1866 the Legisla-
ture of Kentucky repealed their dis
franchising law, and flooded the polls
of the Ninth Kentucky District with
the votes of the returned rebel soldiers
this Is alleged to be the state of the
case; l do not speak from my own
know dge-and the consequence was
that he was IversIaughed by l,3OO ma
jority. 1t is said that since the dis
reimbursement of. the rebels in Missouri
and Tennessee, and the enfranchise-
ment OF them in Kentucky, the dfsfran-
chised in the fiTst named States find
cordial welcome and a congenial home
in Kentucky. This may account for
the extra large majorities against the
Union party in that State at their late
election.
Now, sir, say for one, and do not
profess 10 speak for any one but my
self, that II Samuel Mckee, loyal
man, bad received but one loyal vote,
and assuming, which / do not say is
the fact, that Mr.. Young received fif-
teen thousand disloyal votes, he him
self having been guilty of giving aid
and encouragement to the rebellion,
for one should vote against the admis-
sion OF Mr.. Young and for the admis-
sion of Mr.. Mckee, with but one loyal
vote behind him. That is my position,
gentlemen, and you may make the
most Oft. 1 do not intend TO speak in
such manner that l can be miaunder-
stood upon this question. 1t is, per-
haps, the most vital question that has
been brought before Congress for years,
at any rate since the suppression OF the
rebellion, 1t is a question of the main
tenance and ultimate triumph of the
principles which were Contended for
during that terrible, long and bloody
struggle.
If We are to admit the Rebel element
into Congress, what shall we say for
loyalty7 What apology can We make
to the loyal men whom we Will meet
when we go homer None whatever; ;
we will have falsitied our pledges and
our principles. We must maintain u
loyal standard in Congress If we intend
to maintain loyal standard at home.
If we desire that our constituents shall
maintain loyal standard there, let
their representatives maintain n loyal
standard here. Thus there will be har-
mony of feeling, thought and action
upon these great and vital questions.
Ii we sustain the cause of loyalty here
to-day, we will find sympathetic
throb answering our manly and just
action from the loyal hearts North and
South,
The gentleman from New York (ir.
Brooks) informs the House that we are
in the midst of a revolution. Sir, ad-
init it. But the revolution was not in
augurated to-day; 1t is of long continu-
ance; a revolution commenced by men
disIoyal to the Constitution and the
Union; men whom, as / understand,
the gentleman from New York is will
ling to see admitted to seats in this
House, provided they get more votes at
the election than their opponents, with
out reference TO the question of their
loyalty.
admit that we are in the midst of a
revolution; but / say to the gentleman
from New York it is n revolution in fla
vor of truth, in favor of justice, in fH-
vor of the universal rights of mankind.
And 1 say, let the revolution go on un-
til these grand principles shall be firmly
established as the fundamental basis
of the American Republic.
The gentleman from New York COM
plains that we propose to strike Ken
lucky out OF the Union. Why, sir, but
for the timely action of the Union party
and the loyal soldiers that marched into
Kentucky from the Northern States,
Kentucky would have struck herself
out of the Union years ago. The rebels
of Kentucky did what they could to
carry that State out of the Union; and
when they failed by reason of the inva-
sion and occupation of their State by
the Union army, some thousands OF the
dislOyal citizens of that State took
themselves out and Joined the rebel
army.
The "gallant Kentucky" that the gem
tleman talks so elOquently about is not
the kentucky of the last six years. The
gentleman has certainly been in a sort
of Rip Van Wrinkle sleep during that
period OF time. Twenty years ago Hem
ry Clay did honor to gallant Ken
lucky" by giving an impetus to liberty,
by his efforts as a philanthropist, and
an avowed emancipationist and coloni-
zatiouist. Those were the days of"gal-
liant" Kentucky.
Sir, the "gallant" days OF Kentucky
were not during the recent rebellion.
It is historical fact that when Ken
lucky could not be taken out OF the
Union bodily as State, Kentucky
rebels took them selves out, and not
only went into the rebel army, but
went into the rebek Congress. There
was in that State Il rebel State Govern
ment, which was recognized by the
Confederate Government at Richmond.
1t WAS formed, IL my memory serves
me, by Tetreatiug rebels, who formed
the nucleus of what they called Il State
Government at RussellVille, which was
represented at Richmond until the can
non of Grant demolished the Capital
scared by treason and slavery. Repre-
sentatives from the State of kentucky
took part in the Richmond Govern
ment, with John G. Breckinridge as
Secretary ofWar.
"gallant KentuckyW 1 will give Ken
lucky all just credit for gallantry. She
has had and still has many gallant
men devoted to the cause of Union and
liberty. They did nobly for the Union;
and l will tell you how Rm going to
make acknowledgements of their patri-
otic services. II is by the admission of
loyal representatives from that State
to seats in Congress, and by excluding
her disIoyal. Thnt Is the way Hm
going to reward the gallantry of Ken
lucky.
Now, sir, I desire to ask the gentle
man from New York question, the
substance of the question which was
asked him by my friend from Pennsyl-
yania (Air. Schofeld), and which he
did not answer. / suppose he forgot II.
II i5 this: Should John G. Breckenridge
return 10 kentucky would he not be a
citizen of that State2 Has he ever lost
his citizenship there by reason OF his
connection with the rebellion? Even
il he has, suppose he should return to
KENTUCKY and reside there one year,
would he not be, according to the gem
tleman's idea, constitutionally eligible
to a seat in Congress, If IA majority of
elect him? l ask the gentleman to
answer Eyes" or mo-" have not time
to yield the floor for a lengthy reply.
Mr.. Brooks-I am a Yankee, and
could only answer one question by
asking another.
Mr.. Ingersoll-If that is so, then I do
not Yield. Perhaps 1 ought to yield,
as am indebted TO him for the floor.
thank him for the courtesy he has ex-
tended to me, and will be guilty Of no
act of fdiscourtesy TO MIN. II the House