The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-02-15
RECONSTRUCTION.
The New Bill Of denominations.
Wherein it is in Palpable Viola
ton efthe Constitution.
Its Character in Relation to Re-
publican Forms of G0vernm ent
i'm the States.
THEFULFILLMENT OF A REMARK.
ABLE PREDICTION.
speech Of Hon. A. G. Burr, of Illinois.
in the House Of Representatives
at Washington, Jan. is, 1858.

The house having under consideration the bill
III. R., No. 439) additional and supplementary
to act entitled ''An act to provide tor the more
efficient government of the rebel States" passed
March 2, 1857
Mr.. BURR said
MR.. SPEAKER-Distrusting as / do my
own ability to discuss in manner satisfacto-
~ 10 myself the subject which is now under
consideration IN the presence of those whose
legislative experience and ability so far ex-
coed my own, | almost tremble. sir in az.
Stunning to say anything on the subject Let
me remind the house and its members that
the proposition under discussion is not a drv
technically it is not for the purpose mere.
ly OF deciding given construction of the
constitution; but it is a decision in the leg.
isiative branch of the government of the
most important question which could be
pressed upon the house for discussion, in
Vo!ving, IN my humble judgement, the pro-
priety, II not the very existence, of a repub-
lican form of government on our soil. The
fathers III framing the constitution under
"hich our government to-day exists. were
prompted and governed in their action by
the spirit OF compromise and desire to hsr-
monize the different conflicting interests rem.
resented In the convention by the delegates
from the various states. Let me ask atten
ton briefly to the letter sent forth bv The
convention which framed that const;tut;nr
which letter is certified by the signature .,
George Washington himself, showing the
| constitution was adopted as the resul. of q
spirit of compromise, and showing at the
| same time, sir, the views which our father.
held the powers vested in the differen,
| branches of the government by the constitu.
ton. A clause of that letter is as follows:
1T Is obviously impracticable in the federal
government In these states to all rights OF
independent sovereignty to each, and yet provide
Tor the interest and safety of all. Individuals en-
tering society must give up share of liberty to
preserve the rest. The magnitude of the sacrifice
must depend as well on situation and circumstan.
ces rs on the object to be obtained Tt ia MT MI
times difficult to draw with precision the line be-
tween the rights which must be surrenderad and
those which may be reserved and ON the nresen,
occasion, this difficulty was increased hy n d;t.ar.
ence among the several states as to their situation
extent, habits, and particular interests.''
Sir, that difficulty, if we will view the case
with candor, in the present day has been in
some degree diminished, for by an amend.
ment to the same constitution, which amend.
ment forms today one OF the vital parts Of
that instrument, it is expressly provided
what rights may be or are reserved by the
people of the states, and what are guaran.
teed by the people of the states to the gen.
eral government 1t shows that our govern.
ment is one of delegated powers, delegated
Dy the people to the government in its sew.