The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1867-01-12
GgTAT SPEECH OF
T'naeitle,l~; ~ tevonS.

We give a6inc extracts from The speech ut
don lhaddeus Stevens, delivered in the
Ionse, January 3rl, 1851. in ,ppOrt Of
I'LL introduced by him, to ,,roviIe Terri
.orial governments Inr the rebel States,
STATUS uF rHG REBEL STATES.
NEARLY six years ago ~ BLOODY war arose
,eLween different sections OF the United
states. Eleven States, possessing very
arge extent ofterriiory, and Ten or twelve
nliian5 Of people, aimed to sever lae,r con
dependent empire founded on the avowed
principle Of human slavery and excluding
very free Stale from this confederacy.-
they dii not Claim to raise an instruction
10 reform the Government o! the country
, rebellion against the laws -but they rs.
serted their entire independents ot tina.
icvg-nmeut, and OF all o5hsat:ons to il,
avs. They were satisfied tina: the United
States should mautaia its OLD Consultation
and laws. They formed an entirely new
Constitution; new aud distinct govern
.eut, called the "Conledagale States OF
America" They passed their own laws.
without regard to any former ustioaai cou-
action. Their government became per.
,ectly organized, both In its civil and mill,
AIRY departments. Within the broad limits
,f those eleven State tka Confederate
states Id rs perfect ana absolute control
~ the UGtted States had over the other
twenty-five. The Contsdorate States y
refused 10 neg ,tiate with the United States,
except upon the basis Of independence -ol
perfect national equality. The two powers
natuafy prepared to sg,te the question iy
,rms. They each raised more than half u
nilion of armed men. The war was &C.
inowIedgcd by other nations as public
var between independent belIgcrents. The
arties acknowledged each o:heras such, and
claimed 10 be governed BY the law Of nation.
| aach other. Ga The result OF the war de
| pended the fate and Interior condition Of tht
,ontcndng parties. No ono then pretended
hat the eleven States had any rights under
!
my light to interfere in the legislation o
Che country. Whether they should eve
! rave, all men OF both sections, without ex
option, agreed would depend on the will o
Congress, il the United States we're victor
ious Tho Confederate States claimed M
lights unles. they could conquer them b,
he contest Of arms President Lincoln
Vice President johnson and both braD che
# Congress repeatedly declared that th
,elligerent States coald no:er again inter
ueddlc with the AT .irs OF the Union, O
aim any right as msnoers Of the Unite,
| States Government anil the Legislative
power of tie Government should declur
them entitled thereto. or course the rebel
claimed no such rights; for whether !hei
States were out Of the Union a. they de-
clarsd or were dis rsanizsl and ~ out o
their proper relations" to the Government
rs some snbtle metaphysicianS conlond, thei
rights under tho Constitution had all bee
renowned and abjureJ under oath, an
could not be resumed Oh their own mer
motion. How far their liabilities remained
there was more difference of opinion.
: ruG ElGurs or THE PRECEDENT AND RIGuIs q
CoEiaEss.
Though the President is Commando
in.Chicf, Con sress is his CON nanler an
God willing, he snail obay. He and h
t rninions shall learn that this is nota Goveri
q rnert Of kings and satra.s hut n (,Oves,
nent Of tba people, aaltha Congress is q
peopte. There is not ons word in the Coz
r sti,ution that gives ono particle Of any,hit
: but Judicial aud executive power To an
g other department Of Government but Coz
l gress. The veto power is no exception
} is merely q power to compel a reconsider
ton. What can be planer2 dH legislati,
powers herein granted shall be vested in