The Union flag. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1865-187?, 1867-01-18
RROM -CONGREss

FROM
Mr.. Paine, of Wisconsin, introduc.
ed a bill for recognizing the militia
in the States and Territories. It pro.
vides that all able bodied citizens ov-
err Is shall be enrolled within sixty
days from the passage of this bill.
1t ALSO provides for o National
Guard of two regiments in each Con-
gressional District. Among the quail
ifcations is that officers be elected by
the troops and commissioned by the
Governors ; the latter shall exercise
authority over the National Guard,
and that no State be permitted TO or.
gaaiZe any other troops, No Govern
ors shall exerciso authority over tho
troops unless ne has taken the iron
clad oath. Congress may order the
National Guard into service to repel
invasion or suppress insurrection al.
so TO aid in the execution of the laws
Of any State and the suppression of
instruction therein at the request of
the Legislature Of each State the re-
fusal to servo subjects the offenders to
the penalty Of desertion. 1t provides
that the National Guard shall become
part of the regular army in the time
of war. Bill referred.
Mr.. Bundy introduced q Joint reso-
lption, which was referred to the Com.
mIttee on Territories, to establish four
Territorial GovernmeHts for the 30
called State OF Texas.
The preamble reciteS that the in
habitants forfeited their rights by
their rebollous conduct. They are
still disloyal and by lawIess acts and
outrages on Union men and freedmen
have justly earned the name sngges-
tive OF the penal colony of the world.
The bill provides that all sales of
land heretofore made to disloyal per-
sons shall be null aud void.
The House then proceeded, as the
first business in order to the consider
alton Of the bill reported by Mr.. Ste
yens, April 80, from the joint select
Committee on Reconstruction, to pro-
vide for restoring the States lately in
i~nsuFFection 10 their full political
rights; the question being on a sub
~stitu.e proposed therefor by Mr. Stey-
ems on the 10th of December 1865.
Mr.. Stevens moved To amend the third Sec
tion By tsking away the power ~ appoint
election commissioners for districts lately in
rebellion from Congress, and giving II TO the
Supreme Court and the District Of Columbia,
aad, said am very anIioug that Il should
be Proceeded With until Rhal action Is bad
npon It. desire that ~ soan AZ possible We
como 10 q conclusion as 10 what 10 TO be done
With the rebel States. This becomes more
and more necessary every day, and the late
decision Of the Supreme Court Of the United
States has rendered tbed immediate action Of
Congress upon the question Of establishing
governments n the rebel States Absolutely ~
dispensIble. That desision, although deliV.
cred In terms perhaps not 50 infamous a. the
bred Scott decision, Is yet far moro danger
Gus and disastrous In Us operation upon The
lives and liberties Of the loyal men Of ibis
country. That decision has taken away ey-
en- protection in every one Of the rebel States
from every loyal man whether black or white
who reside there; that decision has un-
shsathed the dagger Of the rebel assassin
and puC Il 70 the throat Of every man who
daEes 70 proclaim himself now or heretofore
A loyal man. II the doctrine Of that deeiS-
ion 81 true then there never we're any men In
such terrible perils as our loyal brethren IN
tbs South, Ehits or black, whether they or
iginally resided there or having gone from
the North.
Mr.. Speaker, unless Congress pressed at
once 70 DO something to protect those people
from he ~barbaTonB horde Who AFe daily MUIR
dering the whites and putting into secret
graves bnndreds and thoulapdg Of the color
ed people unless Congress proceed &c once
10 take means for their protection, I ask you,
and every man who loves liberty, whether
We are not liable 10 the jest eensurs Of the
world for our nsgllgeaee, for orr eoWafdiee,
and for our seeming want Of ability 70 do II
II 10 for these reasons, sir, that I insist up
on going on with the eonsidsrAgon Of this
bin. This is An act 10 enable Tbs loyal men
in tboss StAtts, a. far AS ! could diSerimIn-
ate them, 10 foru Governments apd 10 put
them into loyal hands that thsy may protect
themselvee from the outrages that ! speak o.
Not one Of our Generals commanding depart
mspiaj u Do States latslz IN 5sbtllloa faEs
'under thii d%ecliioa ordof bic ofleeft % On
force lhe laws Of the eountFy. Ono 81 ,fhs
most Grooioas aurdsfefs hat Nasigt loose
upon . community, Dr.. Watsqnt has betn -
leased undsr this deeigion1 Thefeiore, Tor
thsso rsisons hbocomss aIlthe More neess-
Sary that We ShOuld promptly iake measures
70 put a SOP 70 these airoclueS and protect
ths loypi people " d. South.
A Curiosity.