The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1867-03-21
The Keconstrv7etian Debate In tho United
States Senate. sHE n
CEron he National I,akeuine1.crr1 +S.n5


The Reconstruetian Debate In tho United
States Senate. NE'r
CF1om nc Natio=al Inteuigencer] Il
The Supplemental Reconstruction Bill was taken
up in the Senate on Saturday, q little before g. and
occupied that body till midnight. Tho Bill, as re-
differed but slightly from that which passed the
House. The oath was modified 80 as TO exclude
the phrase Sincerely attached to the Govern
were offered. The debate in the Senate took
wide sweep, embracing the whole question of re-
construction. A number of amendments were
the war1nest discussion was whe ther tho vote
which ratified tho Constitution should be one re-
aqenG 9 III {he Of ~ the voters
former, did the Bill Of the judiciary Committee,
in the. estimation Of some Of the members, but not
1t, and any quantityo of debate. "a T1 s7',-. = -@
I, The alterations finally made wero by modifying
the form OF the oath, and by inserting the third
the election for delegates for and against the con-
vention, which shall nos be held if majority op-
fail to vote upon the question. The same provi-
sion, requiring one half the registered voters is
applied to the ratification :; 4
specifies the condition Of disfranchisement, in
stead Of referring in general terms to the Act Of
March %; This elicited warm discussion, which
developed marked diversity Of opinion. Some
gentlemen thonght the oath Of but little conse-
quence. Some thought it unfair to ask man to
aens fGa 70 81 Bno no sas tas
Thought rebels would not be deferred by oaths.
a and lew agreed with Mr. Sumner in thinking
the athant to swear to the indisolubiIity Of the
Union; that he would not countenance the Con-
edsTaee M debt but uphold the national and oppose
doWnrus amendment was lost in committee, but
adopted in the Senate. N 7s-1- .,ar. = =
The question that was most persistently debated
was, whether majority Of the + cistered voters
or OF the votes cast should be sufficient to call
convention and ratfy the constitution. Messrs
Howard Sumner, Ne, Fess snden and ConIiine
contended for the former. The speeches of
Messrs. Howard and Nye were especially bitter
5s5e nooas o their
unworthy q 81 f SSs tbs ssf aas
yersal massacreing Of the negroes by Federal
Both were afraid OF too hasty reconstruction
Both thought tho negroes too ignorant and too
slavsh to be trusted to vote against their masters
governments. Strange to say, he protested
against negro government, and was apprehen-
away from the polls and leave the poor blacks
who required guardians and are unfit for self
government, to make negro government.
Mr. Nye was afraid the masters would keep
thor late slaves in leading strings, ,and 40 carly
reconstruction would be snnply restoring rebels to
power. So that both are, in fact, opposed to any
Howard became quite indignant at Mr.. Trumbuu
for speaking OF him as an enemy OF tho Bill, and
oenanded with no little neat, : By what authority
does the Senator from Illinois assert that ] am an
enemy Of the Bill p and when Mr. Trumbull show
ed why he was, took the chairman of Judiciary
tonamittee to task lscturing him vehemently pre-
claimed his Independence, aud announced With
moro force than 1nodesty that he :. recognized no
superior and would submit to no.dicta+or." The
the charge. so,, too. Mr.. Nye hared up at re-
mark OF Mr. Wilson 8 about charging him with
bg y o T. the @
waters, the Senator from Nevada proceeded to put
on the cap by indulging IN the very strain Of talk
which validated the charge. ~ 5
Mr.. Fessenden had considerable to say about
leaving the people Of the South to their own
choice. He was unwilling to compel them into the
and simple, and did not want it clogged with any
terms Of reconstruction. He wanted them to have
no nc change Of saying they were forced IN, but as
take their own way back, and let Congress say
whether they wonld recognize that way or not. he
was was perfectly willing to defend that position be-
not share the apprehension Of Mr. Morton and
others that the nation would tire Of the delay.
speeches. one especially INSISTING Pssop peopae
Of the Soptha shouldbe bound BY the work a. iio,
and unless : majority Of them voted, they might
s,-s0n he other band khel fsopositioS was shown
up very thoroughly by Messrs. Wilson, Morton,
ISa1 ambIli bull and Drake TIE two former insisted
danger to the country ,bnt especially to the Radi:,
cal partY. The people ?dennaIded reconstrnction;
Rsdes se hs ha @
ended and acknowledge their failure re- to recon. a.
they ed their duty eo1nry sae Wegd
find leaders who didn't. Mr. Wilson. contended;
nnas ses ssst sn bss wsOS e. asss
show for controlling ell + the States except
Virginia. He..was confident of South Carolina
for assIng oya1 minor A points @ whsn iSsashe she
great object OF bringing in the South vita Radi,