Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-03-07

SOmeWn0t ulstruStlng TDy own Iuug-
ment. however, and differing with sew
eral gentlemen, for whose opinions
entertain the profoundest respect, sup
ported the bill, believing that the Senate
would relieve IL of any unconstitutional
provisions. II seems that the Senate
agreed with me, and in the amendment
have given the President the power
which in the original bill was conferred
upon the General of the Army. The
country demands OF the present Congress
two things respecting the rebellious
States one Is such legislation as will
protect loyal man, black and white, in
their lives, liberty and property; the
other is some well defined plan or plat
form, by which the loyal people of the
South may reorganize and re.establish
State governments, republican in form,
which may be recognised and accepted
by Congress, and they thereby become
entitled 10 representation as States in
the Union. This Congress, sir will be
untrue to itself and untrae to the coun-
try If it adjourns without accomplishing
these two results, and | doubt whether
the party can sustain itself which fails
so to do.
Mr.. Speaker, l will briefly examine
the proposed amendment for the pur-
pose of convincing gentlemen, if pos
sible, that it will meet the exigencies Of
the times and the demands Of the count
ry. | confess, sir that it does not en-
tirely suit me. While, in ny judgment,
the purpose which we seek may be fairly
attained under its provisions, | would
onNb a1tnra tiOnI . unnl1 lpaUp
nothing to intendment or Implication.
But, sir, as we have but one day left in
which to get the bill into the hands Of
the Executive it is necessary to have
early and speedy action and the fact
that, so far rs l am informed, it met
with the favor of every Republican Sen
ator, induces me to believe that any
material changes would cause delay.
Two objections are raised against the
| bill. First, that the rebelliOus States
/ will be in the hands and underthe con-
| troll of rebels until their restoration to
| the Union and second, that the third
| section conEerS suffrage upon all, taClud-
| ing the prominent and leading rebels, or
as some have expressed it, grants uni
versal suffrage and universal amnesty.
| denv both these propositions. The
amendment in it's preamble states that
no legal State governments are adequate
protection for lie or property now eX-
lists In the ten rebel States, and that it
is necessary that peace and good order
should be enforced in said States, until
| logal and Republican State governments
can he legally established and for that
PURPOSE it is provided in the first sec
ton that the rebel States shall be di
vided into five military districts and
made subject TO the military authority
of the United States. The second sec.
tion provides that the President shall
assign to the command of each district
an officer OF the ormy, not below the
brigadier general, and detail a sutIfuteUt
military force to enable him to perform
| his duties and enfOree his authority.
The third section prescribes the duties
of the commanding officer, and they are
to protect all persons in their rigts of
person and property, to suppress insur
rection disorder, and violence, aad to
punish or cause to be punished all dis
turbers of the pubic peace and efim-
inals and to enable them to perform
this duty they may allow the local civil
lIIDAudIS w bbhC iuh Ao'' lCIIOH VI tA+F'A IL =
offenders, or when they deem it Reces-
sary for the purposes OF justice they may
organize military commissions or tri-
bunalS for that purpose and provides
further that all interference undef color
of State authority with tine exercise OF
military authority under the act shall
be nall and void Hence, sir, it will be
seen that under this bill the State gov
ernments in the reOelliOuS districts are
simply permissive so far as the admin
istration of Justice is concerned. When
under wholesome laws the rights of per-
son and property are properly protected
bv the local courts military power does
not interfere, but when the loyal man
black or white, is not protected in all
his rights, either by reason OF unjust
laws or dislOyal public sentiment, then
the officer in command erects his mil.
itary court and administers even justice
to all ; and so, sir, it seems 10 me that
during the period of military OCcupa
, ton under the bill, ample provisions aud
safeguards are established for the pro
, lection of the persons, property, ant
| rights of loyal citizens, and that under
: no circumstances if the provisions of tht
| Dill are IdlJHlulIy tAeCuLtu eau ItUel Su
premacy or rebel malignity tramplt
upon the rights Of the loyal.
Such, sir, is my answer to the hrs
3 objection to the Senate amendment. L
! is, however, further objected that under
l the provisions of the fifth section suf
= rage and amnesty are granted to tn
l leading rebels. Sir, if so regarded i
r I would oppose the measure; for never
a never, until there have been many work
e meet for repentance and growth in grac
t for years, would | permit one of tina
: wicked, oath-breaking class either t.
' hold an office or to vote. But, sir, To
= Di,l is not obnoxious TO sucA criticism
= and gentlemen who adopt such. Il con
|, struction are in my judgment mistaken
e 1t is true that the fifth section provides
= that when the people OF any one Of th
y rebellious States shall have formed
r constitution, &c, plainly implying tha
C all male citizens over twenty-one year
rNen k1o,g se kQ -