Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1869-02-06
CONGRESSIONAL.
Proceedings I'm the Senate.


under extradition treaties.
Resolutions authorizing the payment
Of Senators from reconstructed States
from the beginning Of the next session,
taken up-no action.
The Constitutional amendment was
thed taken up; the amendment offered
yesterday by Williams was read and he
addressed the Senate.
In its advocacy, Sumner next address
sed the Senate.
MIR. Sumner offered q substitute for
the joint resolution providing for an
amendment 10 the constitution. 1t pro-
vides that the right to vote, to be voted
for, and to hold Office, shall not be denied
or abridged anywhere in the United
States under any pretense OF race or
color, and all provisions in any State con~
stitution, and all laws-State, territorial
or municipal-inconsisten herewith are
hereby declared null and void.
I'd, That any person under any pre-
tense of race OF color, wilfully tender or
attempt to hinder any citizen of the Uni
ted States from being registered, from
voting or being voted for, or from holding
office, or who attempts by menaees to de-
ter any such citizen from the exercise or
enjoyment of his right as a citizen. above
mentioned, shall be punished by fine
from 500 to $1,000, or by Imprisonment
in the common Jail from thirty dag to
one year.
). That every person legally engaged
in preparing register OF votes, or in
holding or conducting an election, who
refuses to register, to preserve, count, res
turn or otherwise give the proper legal
effect to the vote Of any citizen under
any preIense, race or color, shall be pun
| ished by fine of not less than $500 nor
more than $4,000, or Imprisonment in
the county Jail not less than three calen-
der months nor more than four years
4. That the District Courts of the
United States shall have exclusive juris-
diction Of all oflenses against this act, and
District Attorneys, Marshals, Deputy
Marshals and Commissioners appointed
| by the Circuit and Territorial Courts of
| the United States with power for arrest
ing, imprisoning or bailing offenders and
every other officer, especially empowered
| by the President Of the United States,
shall be and they are hereby required at
the expense of the United States to insti>
tute the proceedings against any person
who violates this act and cause him to
be arrested or imprisoned or bailed as the
case may be, for trial before such court
as by this, has cOgnisance of oilense.
3. That every citizen unlawfuliy de-
priVed of any rights of citizenship secured
by this act, under any pretense Of race or
color, may maintain suit against any
person so depriving him, and recover
damages in the District Court of the
United States, in the district where such
person may reside found.
Mr.. Sumner, in the course Of his
speech, said Do not complain if
speak strongly; the occasion demands it.
| seek to save the Senate from participaN
ton in a degradation. Others may be
cool and Indifferent, but have warred
with slavery too long not to be aroused
when this old enemy shows
his head under another alias.
1t was once slavery. 1t is now
caste-same excuse assigned. 1t was in
the name State rights. Slavery with
all its brood of wrongs was upheld and is
now in the name Of State rights. Caste,
alse fruitful Of wrong, is upheld. The
old champions reaper under other names
and from other States, each crying out
that under the national constitution not
withstanding even to supplementary
amendments, State may, if it pleases,
demand political rights on account of
race or color, and that they establish
that stylish institution, a COrtes.
This perversity, which, to careless
observer, seems SO incOmprehensi-
BILE, is understood when it is consid-
cred that the present generation grew up
under an Interpretation Of the national
constitution supplied by the uphOlderS
Of slavery. States rights were exalted
and the nation was humbled, because in
this way slavery might be protected.
Anything for slavery was con-
titutional. Such is the lesson we
were taught. How often it has
sounded through this chamber
Under its influence the right of petit
ton was denied, and the atrocious fugi>
tive slave bill was enacted, and the claim
was advanced that slavery travelled with
the flag the Republic. Vain are all our
victories if this terrible rule is renewed
States rights shall yield TO human
rights and the nation be exalted
as the bulwark of this will be the coming
victory of the war beyond all question,
the rule under the national constitution,
especially since its amendments is any
thing for human rights is constitutional.
Yes, sir, against the old rule anything
for slavery, put the new, anything for
human rights there can be no State rights,
against human rights, and this is the SUI
preme law Of the land, anything in the
constitution or laws of any State to the
contrary, notwithstanding. He then ar
gucd at length against the assumption
that under the Constitution, the power of
suffrage belongs to the States.
Proceedings in the House
Mr.. Boutwell, from the Judiciary Com
mittee, reported bill for the relief of
Admiral Farragut and officers and men of
his fleet that passed Forts Phillips and
jackson under fire. The bill provides
that they shall be entitled to the benefit
of the prize law in the same manner as
they would have been if the District
Court for the Eastern District of LOusi~
ana had been then open and process
libelled therein. 1t gives cOgnizance of
the case to any United States Court hav-
ing admiralty jurisdiction and directs the
payment of awards out of the Treasury.
Butler supported the bill, which passed
without division.
Spalding from the committee on app
preparations, reported back the Senate
amendment to the naval appropriation
bill. Referred to committee of the whole
and was made the special order for Mon
day.
Mr.. Woodbridge offered a resolution
calling on the Secretary of War for me
mortal addressed TO him by Brig. Gen.
Ii. A. Roberts on the subject of drainage
of surplus waters of great lakes to the
Upper Mississippi, Ohio and Illinois
rivers. Adopted.
Several private bills were passed.
Mr.. Brooks presented, as question of
| privilege, a resolution for the discharge
Of Florence Scanned, the witness brought
| from Now York, from the custody Of the
| Sergeantrat- arms without costs, which,
| after considerable discussion, was tabled.
The House then went into committee
Of the whole on the amy appropriation
bill.
Just before going into Committee Of
the Whole, Wilson of Ohio offered a reso
luton instructing the Postoffice Commits
tee to inquire into the eXpediency Of
amending the postal law, requiring all