The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1868-03-12
HON. JAMES R. DOOLITTLE,
In the Senate OF the United states.
JANUARY 23, 1868.

The bill III. X. No 43g) nuulIlOhhl unu sup
Elementary to an act entitled "An act to pro-
vide for the more efficient govCrnmentot the
rebel Statcs," passed March 2, 1867, and the
acts supplementary thereto, was read the sec
ond time by its title.
Mfr. DOOLlTTLE said
Mr.. PRESIDENT In moving tho ref.
crence of this bill to tho Committee on
tho Judiciary ] desire TO say that l
shall move TO amend the ordinary
motion Of reference by adding certain
instructions which l shall send to the
Chair.
Mr.. President, there is moro involv.
cd IN this measure than any other all
others, perhaps. see in in a complete
overthrow Of tho Constitution in ten
States of the Union. 1 see in 1t Re
pubica form, at least, still remaining
north of The Potomac. | see an en-
piro rising south Of it. ! see in il tho
realization of the widest dream of
Calhoun dual Executive Presi-
dent TO execute the laws of the Rcpub-
lIc of the North q military dictator,
independent of tho President. to make
as we'll as execute laws in tho negro
empire of tho South. Ny heart Is op-
pressed with sorrow too deep for tull
utterance and yet, with the Indul-
gcnce of tho Senate, would make n
last appeal to modify this policy. /
doom it o duty which / ONO to the
country do so now, before this bill goes
to tho committee, for IN that committee
j have no voice, and ] know when its
report is once made, and they are fully
committed to tho measures it will be too
late. fear am already powerloss to
influence tho judgement of tho Senate.
as love my country and her rcpubli-
can institutions, as, next to the God in
of heaven, havo worshiped thom from
my youth up, and as | verify bohCvo,
although Ipray Heaven l may be mis-
takOn, they arc now in most imminent
porll Of utter destruction if tho bill
shall becomoa law. know that Sona-
tors, if they do not agree with mo, will
pardon me for giving expression to
those earncst convictions which could
hardly ropr3ss If | would.
AS / can havo no hopo that Con-
gress will wholly abandon its recon
struchon policy for the purpose of
asking tho Senate to consider the qucs-
ton of modifying it SO far az to lumlt
negro suffrage to certain classes sub
nit tho following motion, which / now
send to the Char and request the Sec
retarY to road.
The Secretary read as follows:
R,9olrcl, That The bill be referred 10 the COM
fntloo on the Judiciary, and that tho said COM
mttoo be instructed, in said bill, or in any oth-
or bill which may be reported by them having
reference TO tho question Of reconstruction, So
called, IN any other States not represented in
the present Congress, TO insert the following
proylBo:
Prouiaca, ncrcrtclcgs, That upon mn election
for the ratification Of any constitution, or OF
officers under the same, previous to ITS adopt
ion in any State, no persons not having the
qualifications OF an eloctor under the oon6tltu-
tion and laws Of such State previous to the late
rebellion shall be allowed to vote. unless he
shall possess one Of the following qualifications
namely;
l. lie shall have served 90 soldier in the
Federal Army for one year or more.
2. lie shall have sufficient education I" read
the Constitution of the United States and tt
subscribe his name to IN oath to support the
same or,
8. lie shall bo seized in his own right, or in
the right OF his wife, of freehold Of tho value
of $3.50.
Mr.. DOOLITTLE. Mr.. President
the question presented in the instruct
IONS proposed by mo ia whether Con-
gross is still resolved 20 subject the
whito people Of the southern States tc
the domination of the negro race MS Tho
point OF the bayonot, or whether Con
gress, in dcfcrance to tho recently OK
pressed will OF tho American people
will now so far modify thon policy rs
to leave tho governments in thos,
States in tho hands Of the white ract
and Of themore civilized portion OF thu
blacks? That is the naked question
= Strip It of all useless verbage ant
specious arguments about sustaining
loyal mon and furnishing rebels, it i
nothing more or less than this: shal
the General Of the army put tho nc
gro in power over tho white race IN al
tho StaJos IN tha South and keep hln
thero ? That purpose is boldly avow
cd by some and that will be the effect o
this Radical reconstruction as 1t nov
stands, If this bill shall become law
On the other hand, tho amendmon
which / offer, If adopted, would lcav
tho governments in those States whor
thoy belong and whore they ought al
ways to romain-in tho hands of ou
own race-whilo, at the samc time,
would allow tho right to all those ne
groes who havc any clam TO it by rea
son ofintolligonco or patriotic service
or estate subject to taxation:
1. TO those who have served in tn
Federal Army;
2. TO those who. have sufficient ed
ucaton to read the Constitution Of tn
United States and to subscribe thei
names TO an oath tobupport tho same
and