The Portland daily press., 1867-01-29
MIR. Morris ON the Constitutional Amend

MIR. Morris ON the Constitutional Amend
ment.
1t will be remembered that when the bill
ratifying the Constitutional Amendment came
before the House of Representatives at Angus
ia. Mr.. Morris, of Portland, alone among the
Republican members, voted against its passage
to be engrossed. When the bill was subse-
quently put upon its final passage, Mr.. Morris
gave his reasons for opposing it, as follows:
Mr.. Spedker,CI have two OBJECTS in sub
hitting few remarks upon this bill first, as
a personal explanation to my Republican
friends Tor my vote on the passage of this bill to
be engrossed, and second in the hope that these
remarks may be;aocepted by my Democratic
friends in the House as am apology for having
SO unceremoniously appeared in their RANKS
after so long an absence from them.
am opposed TO the passage OF this Dill, pc
cause by the provisions of section SECOND OF
the Constitutional amendment, it IS made not
only possible, but almost moral certainty,
that a very large proportion 0, the loyal men
of the South will be disfranchised by its ope-
rations; and because these provisions are in
omen and direct opposition to the broad and
explicit statements in the first section of the
amendment as to who are citizens of the Unit
ed States, and that the privileges or immune
ties of such citizens are not to be abridged nv
the laws OF any State. 7if-.
l am not only opposed to its Passage because
the broad statement of section first and the
provisions of section second are inconsistent
with each other, but because these provisions,
III and OF themselves, are morally wrong; and
nave yet TO learn that it is well to do evil
that good may come
The gentleman from Lewiston, in his re-
marks, said that the history of the past has
not been written in vain. l regret cannot
present to you with the power and elOquence
which he possesses, one truth which can be
SO plainly traced in that history, and to which
believe he did not allude. l refer to that
cursed spirit OF compromise when dealing with
great moral questions, which has chung 10 US,
like spirit OF evil, since our first existence as
nation. This was the primary cause which
led to the civil war through which we have
passed, and it is the most fruitful source of the
difficulties we have to contend with in the ad-
iustment of our national affairs at the present
time. sau...4 81.
Al you pass this bin it will be in the same
compromising spirit which has been so prolific
of evil in the past, for it is very generally con-
ceded that the amendment does not meet the
views OF the members of this House; and
they are looking forward to some opportunity
for expressing themselves rightly on this cues
ton. Better to have done forever with thi.
miserable compromising. Better to put our
selves right on this question at the commence
ment. Pass this bill, and you give your sane
ton to this great wrong; and then what NOR
al power will there be IN any resolutions you
may adopt as expressive OF your views ant
your desires to take higher ground on this sub
Ject ? Such resolutions and amend
ments will be Invested of all moral power b,
your previous action in this matter, and will
not De worth the paper on which they arr
written. -r.t aeEI
1-.,s this bill, and let the amendment be
come the law of the land, and do you for on,
moment imagine that our troubles will be a
an end? Will these evils which have plagued
us SO long, down at our bidding now? No
for it is a peculiar. characteristic of mora
contests that they are never settled until they
are settled on the immutable principles O
eternal truth and justice. We may retar(
the progress OF truth, but never defeat il
The contest will be renewed and continued
u7~' its principles are triumphantly vindi
Gated. 5sa..- III
- gentleman from Lewiston, after refer
ring to the beautiful legend of the Christ
bearer, said: l .-i3t aeigH r. +l
''rhe river is not yet crossed. If we ceas
to look up, if we stay in our onward career Il
look down but for one moment, the old, tn
terrible weakness will come upon us again
and We. with our priceless freight, shall sinl
forever" r. ~ i .-.9l.,I n
This cannot be. We may cease to look up
and our compromise with truth may witness
to our growing weakness; but in the very ma
ture OF Gods TRUTH Equality, Justice AM
Liberty cannot sink with us. They will Q,
forward with our cooperation or in spite O
our detection.
Ii the people of this country adopt this Con
stitutional amendment, History must record
an act of base ingratitude towards a class O.
truly loyal man who stood between us
and national destruction in the fearful con-
fict through which we have passed and this
republic, which has been the asylum for the
oppressed of the Old World, and whose name
and history has afforded inspiration to thos,
in other LANDS who were struggling TOR liberty
and equal rights, must now abate from he
proud position and stand abashed in view o
an Old KING OF a European monarchy con
ferring the gift OF universal suffrage upon hi
people. $3.50 -sl
These views, honestly and sincerely enter
tanned, are my reasons for having votet
against passing this bill to be enerossed, ant
why am opposed to its final passape