Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1867-12-17
CONVERSATION,

THIS question, Ike the impeachment, is
doomed to an iguomiuious death, if its friends
ShOuld muster courage to press it to a direct
vote. LAST week when the measure was
called up in the House, at the instigation of
Thad Stevens. after a brief discussion, il. was
laid over until the 2lst of January next
While it was before tho House, however, it
received the following stunning blows from
two of the stauuch conservative members -
Mr.. CHAMBER addressed the House against
the measure, declaring that it was time that
the black rag of eon6scation should be low
ursd, aud the Union Jack" raised in its
stead. lie replied to aud denounced the ar
gument made by Mr.. Stevens, Of Pennsylva>
mis-, last March, on his advocacy of the bill,
and supported his own position by references
to events in ancient and modern history bear.
ing upon the point of general confScation.-
In conclusion, he said that the black flag
must come down; that the deaths head"
and ''cross bones SO long used as n 'bug.a-
boo" against the peop'e OF the South, was an
insult 10 that people that the South must
be reconstructed, aud the white race there
rehsbilita'cd in the full! power which be-
louCed to it as inheriiOr4 Of the founders of
the Government.
Mr.. ELDRGpGE followed on the same side.
lie commenced by declaring that it was time
the Union was restored, and that the people
were enjoying the fruits Of their victory
Why, he asked, has not the Union been re-
stored? The faithful and impartial historian
would, in answering that question. prefer
most fearful indictment against the party
which had control of the government 1t
would show u record of cruel despotism, of
wicked usurpation, Of violated law, of broken
faith, of uufulf!led promises, of rights disre-
garded, Of constitutions overthrow, and civil
liberty trodden under foot. and all in the in
terest of mere party. Referring to the de-
claration Of Mr.. Stevens. that the lives and
property OF the people of the South were Mt
the disposal of the victor, lie denounced it as
most atrocious. In the name Of the Union,
its cherished memories aud sacred hopes, he
denied 1t; in the name Of the Constitution,
yet living in force, however much ignored
and disregarded, he denied it; in the name
OF the cominon law OF nations, he denied it..
There was no law, human or divine, by which
it could be defended. Robbery was the main
spring and inspiring motive of the bill. 1t
would have to go back for its precedents to
the days Of savage cruelty. There never had
been proposition so terrible, nor SO atrocious.
{ II was in direct violation of the Constitution,
! being both bill ofattainder and an ex post
! Iacto law. There was no war now no in
surrection. no rebellion. by what ri ht were
/ the laws of war enforced? by what right
| did Congress dispose Of life and liberty in the
| South ? by what right was the sword of
! power upheld? There was no longer any
! bclligercncy, and therefore Congress had no
belligercnt rights. lie appealed to the Re-
! publican party to restore the Government.
/ and make good its pledges and promises to
save the Union. Al the reconstruction
measures we're but the last resort of des.
! pcratc party, and were devised not by states
men in the interest Of the country, but by
! politicians in the iuteres; Of party.