The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1867-02-08
Speech Of Hon. Chas. A. Eldredge.

Speech or hon. ChaS. a. EIoreuBe.
Hon. CHAs A. ELDREDGE, the member
of the lower house of Congress from the
Fourth District in this State, recently deliv-
cred speech in that body on the subject of
turning the Southern States into Terrific
ries, which not only meets with the ap-
proval OF the whole Conservative press of
the country, but commands the respect Of
the liberal Republican papers. Those
members of our Legislature who voted the
other day to make CHARLES A. ELDREDGE
a senator from Wisconsin will have special
reason to feel proud of their votes when
they have read the last speech of that gem
tleman, which we would gladly put in our
columns were it not for its great length
The successful candidate, Senator HOWE,
never wrote, delivered or dreamed speech
Of equal ability and logical power. With
political friends and political enemies alike,
Mr. ELDREDGE is reputed by far the ablcst
representative of Wisconsin on the floor of
the House, and the peer of the first among
the members of that body from any state
in the Union. In his argument on the re-
construction question, he strips the advo-
Gates Of conquest and consolidation of their
lastlegal and moral defence. The National
Mte7Hgeacar-a journal as moderate in per-
sonal commendation as it is able in discus
sion-says of this speech in its issue OF the
10th:
''He (AIr Eldredgc) commented with great
force and with Characteristic emphasis upon
Mr. Stevens famous query to the house, if it
would have courage to disregard the constitu-
ton with its ''palpabe incongruities and des-
potic provisions.i He showed that MIR Ste
yens was a self-confessed reyolutionist who
had slandered his country by pronouncinr it
despotism. and denounced the supreme court
in the Milligan decision. not because it failed
to interpret the law, but because it did not
recognize Il revolution begun by the rebels,
but now carried on by Mr.. Stevens and his fol-
lowers. We have heard few keener and more
effective exposures Of the crude theories and
despotic domineering of the great commoner,1
than was made by Mr.. Eldrcdge.
''Vattel. whom Mr.. Stevens so delighted to
quote, declares that all promises made during
II war by Il belligercnt to bring about subnis-
sion are binding upon him and We were
make this war for the Union and the restora-
ton Of the equality and dignity of the states.
Mr.. Eldredge showed however, that the laws
of nations had nothing to do with the status Of
the south During the war we all were under
a constitution which binds alike in peace and
in war. This WAS Il government of states,
which were bound to do their duty, not only to
the federal government, but to each other and
to every citizen Congress had no right to
trench on the rights Of the states. Supreme
though it is in its sphere, the state had Juris-
diction with which this body could not conSti-
tutionaliy Interfere The constitution had
stood through the fierce fires Of war. and it
would continue. though wars might rage, seccs-
sion surge, and fanatics howl. lie showed
that the doctrines Of Mr.. Stevens We're subver-
Sivc of the constitution, Of the Union, and Of
the states. and. if pushed, would erect Con-
gress into dcspotism. Mr.'Stevens would
convert Cur liberties into grants Of privilege to
the people, instead Of recognizing that body
created by grants Of power from the people
There is no such thug as eHiargiRg The poorcrs
Of tie goccramenf. That cannot be done by in
smTectisn, ly state action, by federal lcgisla-
ton, by the act Of citizens, or by all put to-
gcther. There was but one method Of clothing
congress with higher powers than belonged to
it by constitutional amendment. This part
of Mr. Eldredge's speech was very cogent and
very clear. lie deplored this appetite for in
reference with state alfaas, 1t can never be
sated, but tends to usurP more and more the
powers Of the government and accordingly
congress virtually declares itself in perpetual
session and the next step will be for Its MEM
bcrs to hold over. Mr.. Eldrcdge gave solemn
warning against the bloody tendensy Of con-
gressiomal usurpation, and made glowing ap-
peal in favor Of conciliaton.'