The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1867-02-25
MIR. sToKEs's SPEECH.


d i regard this, sir, as one of the most impor-
tant measures that has ever been submitted to
the House of Representatives. have been
looking On here now for nearly two years,
watching and listening to the discussions and
action upon the various propositions submit
ted for the reconstruction of the rebel State
governments. 1t has, 1 thought, been under
stood all the time that when these States were
reconstructed it should be done upon loyal
basis. But what do find? I find in this
bill which has come from the Senate uniyer-
sal amnesty and universal suffrage. 1Ao4iiAA
g Sir, is this to be the basis of reconstruc-
ton? Some gentlemen say to me this bill
does not enfranchise the repels. I can nei-
ther read nor understand the English Ian
guage if it does not entranchise every rebel
in the Southern States, and for one l will new
er cast my vote to place the government of
these States in The hands of rebels so that
they may exercise power over true loyal men.
Pass this bill AMI where are your loyal men
White and black, they 60 under. Yes, sir,
repeat they 60 under. bts lssa ~ + 3U
Non-concur in the amendment of the Sem
ate! Some gentlemen say it will endanger
the bill and we will get nothing. would
rather have nothing ii these governments are
reconstructed in way that will place the
rebels over Union men. prefer the defeat
shape. Pass the military bill as voted tor
it the other day, and as it was submitted by
my friend from Pennsylvania, Mr. Stevens
That is the first thing to be done In the way
of reconstruction. 1t is TO place those States
under the iron rule Of the military. Send Of
ficers and men there who will do Justice and
protect the loyal men, white and black
When that is done the Louisiana bill or some-
thing like that can be brought EDWARD, and
then reconstruction will take place upoI a
solid loyal foundation. Then, say, place
these governments under military rule. Pro
tect the loyal men until they can organize a
government of undOubted loyalty. 3la
Where do you find the word "loyal" in this
amendment as it comes from the Senate? II
admits rebels to the ballot. Do that, and
where is the Union element in the South P
Where are they in my State? We have dis
tranchised the rebels there, and now this en-
franchises them. Pass this bill as it came
rom the Senate andyou bring down ruin and
destruction upon loyal Tennessee. After we
have DISTINGUISHED rebels in Tennessee, you
come in now and enfranchise the rebels in ten
unreconstrucIed States You infiict lasting
injury upon us. This Congress told us to en-.
| franchise none but loyal men. That was
what this Congress told us last summer
They said, "We cannot recognize your State
governments without that is done, for other
| wise we have no guarantee the government,
| will be kept in the hands Of loyaI men, Now
the proposition is brought forward to put thest
| governments In the hands of disloyal men,
Let me say rather than pass this bill, recog
nize, in the name of God, their present State
governments.
Do not, ! implore you, legislate in that way
l appeal to gentlemen of this Congress. Are
you determined that loyal men shall eontro