The Plymouth weekly Democrat. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1860-1869, 1868-02-20

NV SObSSitUSiCI. DGI ti
that constitution which ha. come down
through the war, that constitution which
as ligament, as 1 said before, held the
state of North Carolina as an organized
political community to the union. Next.
he recognizes the authority Of the people:
"And with authority to exercise within
the limits of said state. all the powers
necessary and proper to enable such loyal
people Of the state of North Carolina to
restore said state to its constitutional rela.
tions to the federal government"
Not to place il in shape where con-
gress might restore these practical rela-
tions. but to enable the people themselves
to do this great work. Two years ago
and then had the assent to my PROPOSE
tion ly the nod of the distinguished seRa-
tor from Ohio, Mr.. Wade II expressed
as my opinion, which | hold yet, that by
virtue of this constitutional obligation to
guaranty republican form of govern
ment, it is competent for the United
States through the proper department to
do what will enable the people to exercise
their sovereignty of amending their con-
stitution, and bringing it into practical re-
ationS to the United States. The presI-
dent proclaimed that when the people
themselves have thus amended their con-
stituion and placed it in harmony with
the government of the United States il
will be recognized BY the executive de-
partment.
His pupose then was to aid the people.
to give them the support of an organiza-
| orE -
tutional provision on the subject. gives the
people of a territory enabling act, not
because congress has the power as an orig
inai thing to establish a territorial gov
ernmeLt, but because congress has
the power to admit new states
into the union, congress may do
that which will enable the people to
form state governments. So the executive
in this ease, in my judgment, very prop
erly did that which would enable the peo-
pie to bring their state into practical rela-
tions with the government
Ny colleague and Others have said that
Mr.. johnson regarded this government
which was to be established in North Car.
olina as provisional There is mistake
right here, aud a very serious one. The
president in his proclamation, and every
where, recognizes the authority of Gov
ernor Holden as provisional, as temporary;
that his power was to be but for time;
Until the time the people, exercising their
original sovereignty, could act and place
their government in proper shape. That
goyei nment that tae people were to rcor.
game was not to bc pros isional- 1t was
to be as enduring as the people could make
any government. lie did not contemplate
that it WAS TO BE provisional. He con.
templated that it should be perpetual.
| He authorized the governor to aid the
people in amending their constitution.
and when their amendment should be
adopted, what was the effect Of it! Did
he contemplate that amendment Of the or
ganic law Of state was but temporary!
Does any senator attribute such folly to
the president? No, sir; the governmen,
that was provisional in North Carolina
vas the authority of the governor. As
soon "a the people acted and amended
their state constitution, then the work was
done; the provisional governor ceased to
have any authority; and, firmly fixed, the
state was once more In practical relations
with the federal government.
Mr. President, 1 cannot understand Why
senators have made such war against Mr.
Johnson because he did his. / do not un-
derstand it, take it senate r are just; that
they bring no railing accusations against the
president | have heretofore said, and
ow,.repeat, thai am no partisan defender
of the president but defend the president
when | think he is right, because | claim TO
| be just man. l want TO know of senator's.
after Nj. Lincoln bad issued his proclama-
ton of the eth of December, 1868, in which
he placed this power in the executive, and
after you had electo d him on that doctrine.
how can YOU say that Mr.. Johnson is wrong
in doing the same thing? After The procla-
nation OF the Sth Of December, 1868, and af
ter the proclamation of July. 1864, when he
threw back into your faces the congressional
plan of restoration, and said he woald be
bound by No such policy, but that his hands
should be free TO the close Of the war To aid
the people in bring ng themselves into rela-
tions with the government upon such plan as
he thought was best-afler all that you elect
cd Nj. Lincoln president, aud yUu--l speak
with respect to the majarily oi this boiy-
you said to your supporters at home that that
policy was right You cannot vote. it right
and then come into thessscnate and denounce
it. If it was right in Mr.. Lincoln to do il, 1t
is not wrong for Mr. Johnson and asa just
man. althoug gh l did not help To elect either.
[ shall say that consistency is not to 6e con-
demned by the nen that participated in 1t
throughout.
Mr. president, Nr. Johnson adopted simply
Mr. LiGcoln's plan. l am going to settle that
point beyond all question, and first, shall do
il by the authority of my colleague. which, in
my opinion is quite sufficient authority, mas
much as his speech has been recognized on
all sides as the proper and able exposition Of
the policy of the party in power. My col
league said--and this, you will recollect, after
the convention lad been called; l believe
after they had been in session, or while In
ses ion in these SC ut ern statcs-wher Mr.
Johnsons work of reconstruction Was going
on:
at is one ofmy purposes here this evening
to show that, so far us his policy of amnesty
and Reconstruction is sconcerned. he has sbso-