Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1867-02-15
Thirty-Nm,n Congress--second se..ion

Feb. I.
Mr. Stevens took the floor in support of the
bill for the military government Of the insur-
rectionsry States. He said 1t has now become
the duty of Congress to do its duty by establish
ing some kind Of government in those provinces,
which for two years had been in q state of anar-
chy. For two years the loyal people there had
endured all the horrors Of the worst anarchy.
Exiles, prosecutions and murders had been the
order Of the day. The best men Of those States
were driven from their homes and compelled to
live on the cold charity Of the cold North, where
they were to be seen living about, everywhere
wandering about, hsggsrd and misersble-ths
ghosts Of the unburitd dead wandering on this
side Of the StyI. He was tor making one more
effort to protect these loyal men from the cruel
ties, prosecutions and vengeance TO which they
were subjected. II Congress failed to interfere
efectuslly, il would be responsible to the civil
lied world for the grossest neglect Of duty that
any great nation was ever guilty Of before hu-
manity.
Mr. Brsndegee addressed the House in sup
port Of the bill. OF all the propositions that
had been submitted from the Joint COMMITTEES
on Reconstruction, this bill seemed st once the
clearest, the plAinest, the most appropriate. the
freest from Constitutional objections. 1t CON-
menced st the point where Gen. Grant lett of
had one purpose. to hold the revol,ed communi-
ties in the grasp Of war until the spirit Of
rebellion should be laid down. as its arms had
been laid down two years ago. He saw IN the
bill q promise that the sword Of the Republic
shall be unshesthed again shall be placed in
the hand Of the greatest Captain Of the age, and
should be held by him, suspended once more
over the heads Of rebels, with the awful memory
Of the reverberation Of the cannon which opened
Richmond to the Federal armies.
Feb. sth.
SESATE.-The bill to admit Nebraska into the
Union, which was vetoed BY the President, was
called up and passed over the veto by vote Of
81 yeas to nays. The bill went to the House
for its concurrence.
The House resumed debate on the bill pro-
viding for Military Government for the Insur-
rectionarY States. Mr.. Raymond opposed and
Mr.. Shellabarger supported the bill. Mr..
Stevens moved the previous question:
Gen. Banks asked that the discussion be
continued. He expressed bis belief that 9 few
days devoted to the discussion Of the question,
would result in the perfectlng Of Q measure
upon which Congress, the President and the
people would agree. Mr.. Stever3 insinusted
that Mr.. Banks hsd been in consultation with
the President, and bitterly spoke Of demoralira-
ton in the party. In reply, Mr.. Banks said
he had had no negotiations with the President
but he believed q measure that would meet all
demands could be agreed upon, and hoped for
a change in the position Of the President TIE
House refused the demand for the previous
question, by q vote Of 81 yeas to % nays
Mr.. Kssson denied the right CT Congress 10
pass bill to establish military governments in
the South. he offered As Q substitute for TIE
bill proposition authorizing the military officers
commanding in the South to declare when nee
cesssry martial law over all or any portion.
Feb. 9th.
SEsATE.-Mr. Wilson called for vote on the
motion to reconsider the rejection OF the bank.
rupt bill, and it was reconsidered BY yeas %,
nays IA.
HoUsE.-The bill FOR military government In
the insurrectionary states was taken up.
Mr.. Banks said he bad ct frs. intended 10
support the bill, but on reflection be should
withhold his vote from IT, He believed that the
States in rebellion were still States. He had
never known the army to exert any good inhu-
ence on the CIVIL government His theory wss
to reconstruct Louisiana on the basis Of the
constitutional amendment and extend the work
gradually to the Southern States.
Mr.. Ashley called up the Nehrasks bill and
the bill was passed over the veto BY vote Of
l20 against A, and was proclaimed = lsw By
the Speaker.
The HOUSE then ruuusd The puAd0Nt1ea ef
the Rseens6uetfou bill -----il---