Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1871-03-29
Congress.

Congress.
The debate on Senator Summers San
Domingo resolution was continued in the
Senate on Tuesday, Mr.. Howe speaking at
length in reply to Mr.. Summers speech of
Monday, defending the action Of the Presi-
dent In conclusion he cOntended that the
mission of the Republican party was not
ended, and he would beseech him who would
engage in its destruction to take his position
with the common enemy, and not Judas-llke
stab in the back the party to which he pro-
fessed to belong.
Senator Frelmghuysen, after an eulOgium
on the services of Gen. Grant, inquired for
what purpose the Senator from Massachusetts
had precipitated this discussion in advance
of the report of the commission, from which
alone Congress could form correct judy
ment.
Mr.. Sumner said if the Senator desired it,
he would answer now. The Senator from
Wisconsin (Mr. Howe) had complained be-
cause he had brought this matter forward,
and Senator Frelinghuysen because he did
not postpone. lie (Sumner) would take
counsel Of neither Senators, but his own
heart Knowing there was system of law
lessness on the coast of San Domingo under
the direct order of the President of the
There were some cases in which exposure Is
sufficient. and he felt this was one, and that
the Americon people needed only ID see the
wrong to apply remedy.
Senator Frelnghuysen, as a sufficient an
swer TO Mr. Summers structures upon the
course of the Secretary of the Navy, had read
the dispatch of that official 70 Admiral Lee.
Senator Schurz then took the floor, who
opposed the San Domingo policy OF the Ad-
L.. a ~
up to the time Of adjournment.
In the House the Ku-Klux bill was under
consideration. Mr. Shellabarger, opening
the debate, explaining in detail the provis-
ions Of the bill. The subject touched the
liberty and the rights Of all the people, and
doubtless the destiny of the Union itself.
lie showed the relations of the bill to the
constitution and the power and justice and
wisdom of the measure, and said, IN the
course of his remarks. that IL was added 10
the constitution in the express words, - All
I persons born or naturlIzed in this country
are citizens of the United States, as well
as of the several States. This was done for
purpose II was also added that no State
should make or enforce any law abridging
the rights of citizenship, and further, that
no State shall deprive its citizens of the
equal protection of the law. The provision
/ did not end there, but with still more abun-
/ dant caution adds, that Congress shall have
power by legislation to enforce this provis-
ION. All beng citizens of one republic, all
/ have the same privileges and lmmunltes,
and these privileges and immunIties. should
not be abridged; that under the laws of the
nation and the States, there shall be pro
/ lection, and that Congress shall have power
to make such laws to secure such protection.
Putting these constitutional elements togeth-
I CT where was the doubt that Congress may
F by appropriate legislation, protect the rights
+ OF citizenship 80 zealOusly and trandescend-
antly guarded. and made eternal by the con-
stitutiOn, and when a state denies protection
10 its citizens, Congress may by law enforce
/ the provision.
Mr.. Kerr of Indiana, in reply to Mr.. Shell
labarger, said the gentleman's assumption of
! power was quite as extraordinary in charac-
ter as were the provisions of this bill, and
. with his ideas of constitutional law he was
surprised ut it. The amendments to the con-
stitution guarantee to the people certain
j great personal rights. The article of the
4 constitution TO which the gentleman referred.
conferred no new grant of power to Con-
gress, nor did it take away the pre-existing
power Of the States. 1t simply declared who
should be citizens Of the Unltei States The
definition of citizenship was the same before
as after the constitutional amendment was
this. He quoted from Chancellor Kent and
ex- Attorney General Bates in support of his
I assertion. There was no power 70 Supersede
a State, OF to prescribe any code for the
states or tamper with them in the admins
tration of their own local system. There
was no power to 90 into the states and con-
troll their legislation, substituting new ma
ehinerv, the peculiar characteristics of which
might be hateful to them as well as grossly
istered IN such way as TO aggrayate and
lrritate the people to point OF resistance
lie was in favor of the most signal pun
ishment being inflicted for lawlessncss,
whether in the States Of the South or any
other section; but it should be done under
their own constitution and laws, and the
power of the Federal Government should not
be used except as an auxiliary u the States
constitution and laws, and not superior tC
them. The Federal authorities were not
competent or authorized to dictate a new
system, but simply to aid the States, on the
application OF the States themselves, in main
tanning their own domestic peace and order
The pending bill spOnged out all the reserved
power OF Il state as TO its own local admins
tration Of affairs.
MIR. Stoughton followed in revision anC
exposure of the ku-Klux outrages. reading
from, the records of the Senate investigation
INTO the state OF affairs IN North Carolina
to show that the laws were powerless anC
that the protection of life and property was
impossible IN the presence of organized bands
of robbers and murderers. He said that th,
relation of the democrats to the Ku-Klux wa
similar to that of receiver of stolen good
to the thief. They were willing to receiv,
the results of the murder of republicans an,
of rapine to help them in their politics, ant
In this House they were the willing cham
/ pions of the Ku-klux.
Mr.. Cox of New York said that SO IA
from this being true, the democrats ha,
denounced these outrages.
Mr.. Stoughton of Michigan said that the
ku-klux were supplied with DISCUSSES anC
arms from the north
Mr. Eldridge of Wisconsin: Senator Sum
ner said yesterday that President Grant is a
the head of the ku-Klux
Mr.. Cox asked Mr.. Stoughton WHY he di,
not prove his assertion which went for moth
ing without being substantiated.
Mr.. Stoughton remarked that the entir
south was drifting into anarchy, a few bad
men lntImidate the mass of the people, eyad
ing conflicts with the mil itary and controlin
the State courts by fraud and violence.