The weekly clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1863-1882, 1869-05-27

ruarT 1859; when the hon. ]. w c. Wat
son, Gov. Brown and myself were solicited
by portion of our people, to undertake
that most delicate. difficult and responsible
business. Maj. WOford, Judge Jeffords,
Messrs. Warner Tindall. and others, OF the
liberal National Republicans of the State,
had been deputed TO the Capital; and were
already there for the same purpose. When
Gov. Brown and myself reached Washing
ton, the argument. and the testimony before
the Reconstruction Committee had been
closed. We were accorded the courtesy,
however, of a hearing before 1t. The points
made by each of us, were printed, and with
the consent of the Committee, filed-and
were published, as / learned, in the papers
at home.
In very few days, the session being so
far advanced, it was manifest that bill
could not pass unless in its main features,
it would be satisfactory to all parties. Gov.
Boutwell,. the chairman OF the committee,
about the middle of February, reported a
bill, but in few days gave notice. he woald
not press it for want of time. i was then
convinced that Congress never would de-
clare the Constitution adopted, and never
would allow the persons claiming offices I'M
der it. to be seated in power. The Conven-
tionists were therefore defeated at the last
session of Congress, on their first and main
proposition. Gov. Boutwell, had given no
tice, however, that he would press his bill
Immediately on the opening OF Congress on
features of the alternative. or second prop
osition of the ConYentiOniStS, tO-wit: the
re-assembling of the Convention, with leg
islative power conferred upon it; and all the
powers of Government lodged in il and its
appointees, until Constitution should be
proposed, and ratified.
Thus stood matters when Congress assem-
bled on the 9Th March. A new Congress
came ina new Speaker was elected, and
fresh appoint of committees. Among
for Gov. Boutwell,, as chairman on recon-
struction. Boutwelfs bill fell,of course, with
the adjournment: and the subject had to be
taken up afresh by the AID Congress. As is
usual in parliamentary bodies, the party in
the ascendency had majority on the COM
mittee. Boutwells bill had been approved
by majority of the committee of the last
Congress, and would therefore be revived
at the March session, with the moral weight
of the previous committee. The odds were
apparently so heavy, that it would seem
hardly possible to defeat the passage of the
bill. Buffers bill! was reported from the
committee by two majority out of twelve
members; so IL was understood. The Re-
publican members were not all for the bill
Gen. Farnsworth, of Illinois, and Judge Po-
land, of Vermont, both able and influential
men, were opposed to it. Another member
of the committee was luke-warm in its sup
port. This bill was essentially like Bout
wells. 1t was manifest that the Republican
party was not a unit on the subiect-that
legislation would not be shaped and dicta-
ted by a caucus-and that every member
therefore was free to follow his judgment.
The minds of the members of the House,
now open to the reception of facts and ar
guments, no difficulty was encountered by
myself, or by other gentlemen cooperating
in the same line. in access to any person we
desired to confer with. 1t is a mistake to
suppose that Reconstruction is the absorb
ing subject in Congress; engaging its earn
est attention. 1t were assuming too much
also, to say that the statesmen have given to
the present aspects Oft, that careful thought
and study necessary to enlightened legisla-
ton. They either have not of themselves
access TO original and reliable sources of in
formation: or they are deluded and imposed
upon. 1t was here, that the presence of
persons at Washington, resisting the
schemes of the Conventionists, was of great
value to our people. To illustrate by an in
cident: Gen. Butler, in closing the debate
on his bill, asserted that by the existing law
of Mississippi the cOiored man could not
hold or Owna foot of land in the State. You
can well imagine the sensation that decla-
ration would produce on the floor and in the
galleries. coming from man of his relation
to the subject, and his extraordinary pow
ers of debate and oratory. With a view or
disabusing public men from prejudices and
opinions unjust to our people-often found
ed If representatiOn-Mr. Watson and
myself, few days before this, had gone TO
the library of the supreme Court, and care
fully examined the state of law as respects
the colored race, on the statute books of our
State. Imade an abstract, referring to book
and page, on the subjects of personal and
and real property contracts, suing, testify
ing, the domestic reIations-those of marri-
agc, parent and child, apprenticeship
crimes and criminal procedure; and among
others, had taken the pains to explain it to
a very distinguished member from Massa-
GhIlSpttS. IllinOiA whom i
reason to know would take part in the de-
bate. No sooner had General Butler made
the allegation than his colleague Immediate
ly arose and pronounced the assertion I'M
true: and said if the chairman of the COM
mittee had Investigated the subject as it
was his duty to have done, he would have
found it untrue. At the same moment the
member from Illinois arose in his place, and
pronounced the allegation untrue and add
ed that he "had the documents TO prove it.
y Notwithstanding these denials, Gen. Butler
persisted in the assertion. But the point
was completely turned against him. Lead
ing men in both Houses were open TO fair
discussion of what was best to be done n0tv.
1t were idle to have attempted to discuss
the policy Of Congressional reconstruction,
or to have urged a serious modification
The Republican party, so far as could see,
in and out of Congress, regarded that as
closed against further consideration. Mr..
Beck, a leading Democrat from Kentucky,
and member Of the Reconstruction Commit
tee, admitted on the floor of the House, that
his friends in Congress regarded that policy
as settled, and did not propose any further
agitation about it. 1t was manifest to every
gentleman from Mississippi, at Washington,
that all effort and remonstrance against the
COnventionists, ought to start with a full
concession that the State must and would
reconstruct, on the conditions of the law
Gov. Sharkey, who has opposed the laws as
earnestly, or more so, than any other citizen,
said at Washington, that the people might
be informed as coming from him, that Re-
construction must come on this basis.
The Constitution having been rejected. we
presented the subject in this light. The Com
vention is flfnctUS oticio-it is dead. 1t has
failed to accomplish the end for which it
convened. 1t therefore remains with Con-
gress to take choice of means tor further
action. 1t can order another Convention to
be chosen, and frame another Constitution;
or 1t can submit those provisions of the Con-
stitution, in excess of the laws of recon-
struction, and which mainly contributed to
its defeat, to separate vote, pointing out the
more obnoxious sections; and If the Con-
stitution is adopted as a whole, let it be so.
If adopted shorn of these objectionable
clauses, as we think it will be, that ends the
matter; or if Congress is in doubt as to what
IL ought to do, postpone the entire subject
until next winter. In the meantime, our
people will have thought sOberly and calm
ly, and by that time, will have made up
their minds Enthusiastically, which mode
they will prefer-another Convention, or a
qualified submission of the defeated Consti-
tuition.
We further urged, that whilst a stable, or
DERBY State Government was much needed,
and Representation was very desirable in
Congress. postponement would only delay
representation, perhaps the first two months
of the next session. In the meantime,
there might be more unanimity among our
people TO cooperate in reconstruction; and
the labor and Industry of the country du-
ring the cultivating season, would not be
interrupted by canvass and election; that
our people would patiently and readily sub
NIT TO military government for the longer
period.
The majority of the House under the