Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1867-02-06
RECONSTRUCTION.
SPEECH OF HON. G. W. SCOFIELD

OF PENNSYLVANIA,
On January Ie 1867. the House having under
consideration the bill III r. No 543) to provide
fo- restoring to the States lately in insurrection
their full political rights.
Mr.. SCOFIELD. Mr. Speaker, as the
confederate population, five or six million in
numbers, is to remain in this country and to
some extent shape its destiny, it is all-inl
portant that we SO reconstruct the Union
that this population may become an element
Of strength rather than of weakness to the
Republic. Powerful as we are We can hardly
afford TO allow population so large, brave,
snd reckless to settle down into chronic dis
content-forever to be to America what Ire
land is to Great Britain, Poland to Russia,
or Hungary to Austrian ever-ready ele-
meut Of revolution. To avoid this result is
the avowed purpose of both political parties
but strange to say, with the same professed
end in view, they start out upon paths lead
ing in quito opposite directions. The Re-
pubIicans claim that the Union can be best
preserved by removing the causes of discon-
tent and thus extinguishing the motives to
disuniou, while the Democrats think the
Union can be best preserved by tolerating,
conciliating, and fostering the errors and
wrongs from which disunion sprang.
was the original motive for secession. To
destroy this motive the Republicans propose
10 abolish and the Democrats to foster slave
r.. Acting upon their theory, anu antici
pating the final overthrow of the rebellion,
the Republicans began early in the war the
removal of its cause. They prohibited the
extension OF slavery, abolished it in the
District of Columbia, forbade the return of
slaves by the Army, repealed the fugitive
cave law supported Fremont 8, Hunter S,
sud Phelps partial and MIR. Lincoln more
general proclamation OF freedom, and finally
hy ALI amendment of the Constitution pro-
hlolted 1t everywhere and forever. Thus it
EAs hoped that when the rebellion should
be suppressed no conflicting interest would
lie lett, about which the North and South
could quarrel. There appeared, however,
TO be lingering hope in the minds of the
late masters that In a separate republic the
Institution nigh: still be revived in some
notified iorm and something at least OF
.4y.E arge Investment saved and to this ex-
teat the motive to renew the struggle in
more prOpItIOuS times survived. This hope
AMI motive for disunion would grow weaker
and weaker as the subjecI-race become more
snd more Intelligent, thrifty and self-reliant.
10 facilitate this result the civil rights and
Frtedmeus ) Bureau, the franchise, and
many other minor bills of like import were
passed by Congress. The advancement of
The negro was thought to be greater hin
Gr4i ce TO the revival of the disunion insti-
tuucn and greater Encouragement of con-
tedrrata outbreaks than repealable laws or
snendabie constitutions. This was the Re-
Iuocan plan of reunion. The Democrats,
Ist.rg On their tn ory of fostering and thus
csuglIating the disturbing clemens, oppos-
81 81. measures tor emancipation, and are
s., opposing bills for the improving the
cJ!ored race. do not question their SINGER
y. Quite likely they sincerely thought
hat the best way to unite the North and
South vas to yield to, extend, cherish, and
'flprtiate the cause of disagreement. But
lis is passed The work is nearly accom-
piished. aud refer to the course of the two
lAEiies uponit only to illustrate my position,
IL, they seek the preservation of the Union
= Numerically opposite directions.
lie Republicans had hoped that by the
-'HJTal of this original cause of quarrel all
.1cntiyes to disunion would disappear; but
q tne threshold of reconstruction another
nj to some extent an unexpected trouble
esents itself The Confederacy had four
I'D aquarter years of nationality. During
ais time vast interests, passions, and resent
.aents grew up under and centered in it.
ne contracted many debts. a debt in bonds
'ad currency to her capitalists, of damages
. her property holders, of honor to her sol
ers, memory to her fallen. and aims to the
sdtterlng The dead claim homage; the
nalmed, widowed and orphans, pensions;
lie impoverished, payment; and. the leaders,
storic honors These interests and pas
s-1ns embrace all classes and appeal to all
arts within the circumference of confed-
rate power. This makes cause stronger
IAN slavery There is more money in it by
If, and quite as much to awaken resent
Int or provoke resistance.
If these people come back with these in
tests unbarred by constitutional amend
He1t, how can!they avoid struggling to save
Ia the Union allthat was risked in the con-