Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1867-02-09
RECONsTRUcrTaN.

We make the following extracts from
a wise and true speech made by Hon.
CHARLES A. ELDRIDGE, Of Wisconsin,
in the House Of Representatives, Janu-
ary IS, 1857:
The house having under consideration
the bill II. r. Ne. 543) to provide for re-
storing to the states lately IN insurrec-
ton their full political rights, Mr.. Ed
ridge said;
N. Speaker. It Is Of little avail, Idle
perhaps, to attempt any resistance Of a
caucus measure Of the majority of this
house. But il is hard, sad 10 stand 81
leutly by and see the republic over
tbrUWu. Il is indeed appalling % those
accustomed from early childhood TO re-
we're and love the constitution, TO feel
that It is in the keeping Of those having
the power and determination % destroy
it. Good men, patriots, have hoped that
the mad passions of the war would ere
two years had passed been succeeded BY
the spirit and temper that characterized
those who originally formed the union.
But how great and sad their disappoint
ment must be seen in the destructive and
revengefui measures now pending in this
house. With the passage Of this bill
must die every hope and vestige Of the
govern meDt Of the constitution. Never
was there measure or movement fraugnt
with such fearful and fatal consequences
to the republic. It j. indeed the final
breaking I'D snd dissolution Of the union
Of the states by the usurpatlon and revO-
lutionsry act Of congress. II the bill
itself does not on its face and IN express
words recite the fact the speech OF the
gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Ste
vens. who introduced ana has the man
agement Of il, plainly declares that it is
revolutionary in spirit and purpose. No
rebel to this government. north or south,
ever called with more bitter hate, scorn,
and contempt for the forces Of revolu-
Jion to unite and rally 10 overthrow il.
No leader ever had more supple and
willing followers, none was ever more
complete master Of the situation. His
word is law, his call will be obeyed.
There can be no mistaking the object
Of this bill as declared by the gentleman
from Pennsylvania. It's = avoid or get
rid of the constitution or Inc provision
Of il. Its revolutionary purpose is as
clear as the sun light. He says in the
same speech, advocating this bill, and
be il rememb bered that speech WAS no eX-
temporsneOUs one, but carefully pre-
pared, written, and reserved several
DAYS after delivery Tor revision y
i.Think not ] would sIander my ma
tive land 1 would reform IT, Twenty
wears ago denounced IL IS q despOtism.
Then twenty million white men en-
chained four million black men / pro
Dounce it no nearer TO true republic
now when twenty FIVE million of priv
LEGGED class exclude five million from all
participation in the rights Of govern
meDt."
Sir, immediate passage Of this bill is
urged by the gentleman because OF the
late decision of the supreme court IN the
case Of Milligan. That decision be de-
neunees as Infamous, dangerous to
the lives and liberties Of the loyal men
Of the country What is there IN this
decision that calls for revolutionary
measures ? Ia what way is this bill TO
interfere with or effect it, WHAT is
there in &c 10 call for maiedictiOn and de-
nunciatlOn The gentleman does not
complain that il does not truly declare
the law. Is the court itself To be stricken
down: to be revolutiOuiZed Are the
provisions Of the bill as sweeping and
extensive as tbat2
Sir. none but despots and violators
Of law hate or fear that court or
is decisions. None but these who
would deuOunce and c0ntemn their
native land denOunce it. It brought the
glad tidiBgs to the depressed and despair
ing people Of this country that the con-
stitufiOn has not vet been destroyed, that
it vet stands the bond Of orr union, the
fundamental law Of the land. For one
L thank God for that decision in this
dark hour Of our country. II may save
US from lust such usurpation as this con-
rress. bv this bill, would infiict upon US.
III is the only hope Of liberty in this land
TODAY. That decision bss crowned the
court with immortal glory. Time, the
clanoor Of disappointed demagogues, nor
the malignant howl Of crazy fanatics
can ever dim the luster il has shed upon
American jurisprudence. Future gene
rations IN all coming time viii honor and
revere that court as the great coDserva-
tor Of constitutional liberty and law. II
rose above the Eurging, Temorseless pas
sion Of rebellion and civil war into the
calm judicial atmosphere OF reason and
truth, and gladdened the hearts OF the
millions who never " denounced tneir
native land " by declaring the law IS IL
is.
aThe constitution Of the United States
is law for rulers aDa people, t4ualig ~
wal and in pesce, and covers With the
shield Of its protection all classes OF men
st all times and under all circumstances.
/ No doctrine involving more perniclous
( consequences was ever invented by the
{ vii Of man than that any Of its proVls-
! ions can be suspended during any Of the
great emeTgeGcies OF the government
! Such a doctrine leads directly 70 anarchy
and despotism
Where Is there an honest lawyer VINO
doubts that as law = What is there TO
/ denounee in it? What is there iDfa-
nous 10 that opinion Sir, these de-
nunciations are because that court does
not adopt revolution as 2 pgeGecept, De-
cause Il does not follow the Lead Of the
gentleman By full participation and
| concurrence +" IN the rebelnOn 10 reyolu-
I tioDIzs this government
On the part Of the CoDfederates the
/ struggle was to separate and divide on
( our part 70 prevent separation and dlyl-
/ sion and preserve the states IN the IN
! M ar,r-mnF "a. auriN fna laws Oi