The Carson daily appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1865-1870, 1868-01-19
AN ABLE SPEECH BY SENATOR
STEWART.

In the Senate of the United States,
on the 10th of December, upon a debate
which ensued upon the offering of an
amendment to the Reconstruction Act
by Senator Wilson, of Massachusetts,,
and in reply to characteristic speech
of " Garrulous" Davis of Kentucky,
Senator Stewart addressed himself to
the subject at issue in brief but very
comprehensive and able speech, from
which we make the following extracts
Andrew johnson, above others, acted upon
the theory that the rebel governments in the
South were not merely voidable, but absolu-
tely void, and that new organizations must
be created, and he created them. He, the
Executive. undertook to exercise these func-
tons alone, and say it comes with an i'll
grace from him to declare that Congress, the
legislative power of the Government, had not
equal authority with him alone as President.
When you come to the question of power it
is strange constitution that can always be
invoked in aid of rebellion, in aid of oppres-
sion, in aid of wrong but has no element in
it whereby justice can be maintained, where |
by the Union can be preserved, whereby the |
loyal men of the country have right to say |
who shall control it. 1t is strange instru-
ment that is ALWAYS invoked in aid of wrong
and oppression. The Constitution of the |
United States, when fairly construed, it
seems to me, has in it those elements that
will protect the weak against the powerful
who would Cypress them. and that secure to
all men their rights. If is not such an in
strument of wrong an oppression and seces-
and rahallinn and only those I
engaged in tearing down this Government, it
is worth very little to humanity, very little 10
civilization.
I repudiate altogether the charge that Con-
gress has attempted to set up negro govern
ments. l affirm that they, as they we're in
iuty bound to do, have undertaken to inau-
yurate loyal governments, governments that
will be friendly, to our institutions. They
nave undertaken to preserve our institutions
n the hands of their friends. That is all.
Who is to be alarmed by the cry that one ne
,ro in ten of our population is to govern this
country That is pretty watchword with
which to go before the people. It only needs
o be stated to show how absurd it is. 1t is
N appeal to prejudice for the purpose of
'lacing the Government in the hands Of reb
Is. And what purpose have they in view !;
lave we ever thought of that Is it certain
hat they will not avenge their supposed
wrongs on your loyal soldiers Is it certain
hat they will not refuse to pay the pensions !
ue to your widows aad orphans Is it
ertain that they will not repudiate your ma
ional debt Is it certain that they will not
lain to pay for the slaves we have emanci-
ated l have heard the Democratic theory
tated by a good many Democrats, many Of
HON in private conversation say that the
Mission of the Democratic party is to place
verything back where it was before the war.
-ipe out the debt, re-enslave the negroes. and
ay for what damages have occurred. Until
ley get some of these theories out Of their
eads it seems to me it is but ri ght and pro-
er that we should enfranchise the men who
re friendly to the Government, who will sus
in our institutions, who have been tried and ,
ne. l wish it distinctly understood, that l -
ave no fear Of the American people being
ightened out of their wits on account OF a
w colored people being allowed to vote. l q
not think the people of the South will be
UGH frightened about it. Ii may be that the
odern Democracy Will be alarmed, for its
,urage has been very much shaken during
e war. 1t never had much faith in itself,
i'd think it quite likely that modern De-
ocracy will be afraid Of the negroes. |
n not surprised at thar. 1t ought to be
raid of itself. 1t is afraid to trust ANYBODY,
en- itself. 1t certainly is not going to scare
q American people and induce them to
i've the friends of the Union from power
cause a few loyal negroes are allowed to
tc for their own protection in the South.