The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-07-24
RECONSTRUCTION.
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN A. LOGAN,

4tx1OO4N 4gO 4OANs
SPEECH OF HON. JOHN A. LOGAN,
l8sia g6ss OF ILLINOIS,
In THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,
- .s.sa sid ere July ~, 1867,
On the Supplementary Reconstruction Bill and
W in reply to Mr. Robinson, of New York.
si2 Mr.. Logan said:
Mr.. SPEAKER: It was not my inten-
ton to have taken any part in this de-
bate, but cannot get my own consent
to sit and listen quietly any longer to
such extraordinary speeches as have
again and again been pronounced on
this floor within the last few days. If
the wisdom of the policy of excluding,
from representation in this Hall, the
South, had ever cost me doubt it could
never again cost me another. More
earnest advocates of their political theo-
ries and more eloquent apologists for
their darkest crimes traitors have not,
in the South or elsewhere, than they
have here. A resolution blotting out
the Constitutions of the United States
and the respective States is recommen-
ded by one gentleman, who evidently
means therebyto intimate that in his
opinion at least this House had already
destroyed everything like fundamental
law in the land, and trampled ruthless
ly in the dust the liberties of the people.
Mr.. Eldridge. That is what thought
and what meant. -
.a.f Mr.ssLogan. SO understood the
gentleman, and the thought occurred
to me at the time, sir, that it was strange
indeed, passing strange, that the gen
tleman did not discover during those
four fearful years of blood and carnage
through which the true friends of hu-
mainly, liberty, the Constitution and
the Union had to pass to deliver them
from impending destruction, who it was
assailmg them then.
Mr.. Eldridge. Will the gentleman
yield !?
Mr.. Logan. l decline. Why did
it not occur to the gentleman, when
mighty armies of brave men, command
ed by skillful generals. were lowering
in a menacing attitude around this de-
voted city, spurning our country's flag,
hooking our patriotic professions, in
sulting loyal citizens, ignoring private
rights, and perpetrating public outrages,
that the Constitution, the Union, and
liberty were in danger then? Why
does the gentleman wait until the war
is over, the Constitution is no longer in
peril, and those who stood fast and firm
near it and by it, when its banner was
streaming on the breeze of battle, are
attempting to devise the most practical
BILE and polite means to restore at the
earliest moment to this whole land
permanent and healthful tranquility
and prosperity? Why does he wait
for such moment to announce the
startling discovery that our Constitu-
ton is threatened and liberty is in
peril? ~ Ft
Mr.. Eldridge. Does the gentleman
desire me to answer his question /?
Mr. Logan. No, sir; one Interrupt
ton encouraged invites another. Is
it'not strange, I repeat, that the same
gentlemen who are SO easily alarmed
now about the perils that compass
about the Constitution of the country
and the liberties of the people, while
peace is benignly smiling upon us, saw
no terror or threat In The glitter of
bayonets or the frow,i of batteries when
our beloved land was swarming with
millions of open enemies and the earth
was trembling under the martial tread
of serried hosts and the loud roar of