The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-28
CONGREGATION.
SPEECH OF
HON. THADDEUS STEVENS.
OF PENNSYLVANIA,

OF PENNSYLVANIA,
In the House Of Representatives, on the 10Th
March, 1867, on the subject Of Confscation
Mr.. SPEAKER am about to discuss the
question of the punishment of beligerent
traitors by enforcing the confiscation of their
property to a certain extent, both as pun
ishment for their crimes and to pay the loyal
men who have been robbed by the Rebels,
and to increase the pensions of our wounded
soldiers. The punishment of traitors has
been wholly ignored by a treacherous Execu-
tive and by sluggish Congress. wish to
make an issue before the American people
and see whether they will sanction the per
feet impunity of murderous bclligerent,
and consent that the loyal men of this ma
ton, who have been dcspoiled of their pro-
perty shall remain without remuneration,
either by the Rebel property or the property
of the nation. To this issue desire to de-
vote the small remnant Of my life. desire
to make the issue before the people of my
own State, and should be glad if the issue
were to extend to other States. l desire the
verdict of the people upon this great ques-
ton. What I ask of this House is, to give a
square vote upon the direct question by
Yeas and Nays. pray you do not evade or
kill it by side wind. When you have given
such vote, 1 shall he satisfied, whatever NAV
be the result. Imay say in advance that my
remarks will be voluminous and tedious
Any gentleman who has any business for the
next hour and 4 half may well attend to it
but pray him to be here to vote, as de-
sire to understand tho feelings of the House
and of the people. This bill is important
to several classes of people. 1t is important
to our wounded and MANNED soldiers. 1t IS
important to their bereaved wives and pa
rents. 1t is important to the loyal men
North and South. 1t is important to 4,OOO,- |
900 of injured, oppressed and helpless men, |
1t is also important to the delinquents, whose !
property it takes as \ fine. No committee or |
party is responsible for this BILL 1t is charge
able to the President and myself. Whatever !
merit it possesses is due to Andrew johnson. |
In the Summer of 1864 he said in public |
speech: Let me say now is the time to Sc
cure these fundamental principles, while the
land is rent with anarchy and upheaves with
the throes of a mighty revolution. While |
society is in this dsordered state, and We are
seeking security, let US fix the foundation of |
the government on the principles of eternal
justice, which will endure for all time Shall |
he who brought this misery upon the State
be permitted to control its destinies? If |
this be so, then all this precious blood of our
brave soldiers and officers, so freely poured |
oRt, will have been wantonly spilled. All |
tlle glorious victories won by our noble ar
mics will go for nought, and all the battle
fields which have been sown with dead he
roes during the rebellion will have been
made memorable in vain. Why all this
carnage and devastationi It was that trea-
son might be put down and traitors punish
ed say the traitor has ceased to be citi-
zen, and in joining the rebellion has become
q public enemy. Treason must be made
odious, and traitors must be punished and
their great plantations must
be seized and divided into small portions,
and sold to honest, Industrious men. The
day for protecting the land and negroes of
these authors of rebellion isl past. 1t is high |
time it was. have been most deeply panied
at some things which have come under my
observation. We get men in command, who,
under the influence of fattery, fawning and
taressing grant protection to the traitor,
khile the poor Union man stands out In the
jold." All this was the eloquent language OF
Andrew johnson as he was" This was the
text which took up and elaborated In
speech to my constituents at Lancaster, IN
September, 1865, and which has been much
criticized by humane sympathizers with RED
els. Andrew johnson was the apostle whose
'reachings followed. His doctrine per
gades and animates this whole bill What
'ver OF justice is in it is due to him. l call
lpon his friends to stand by him in this, his
avorite policy. If you now desert him, who
AN you expect to defend the much endu-
ng man" at the other end of the avenue
LAYING thus rendered unto Caesar the things
hat are Caesars, I will proceed to defend the
purse recommended BY him, who, abcvs oil :