Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1871-02-01

Several weeks ago, it was announced
that the Radical leaders at the capital
were in conference on a new military or
semi-reeonstruction programme for the
South, with view to restore the States
ofthat section to Radical control. a
message from the President transmitting
reports from all quarters of the South to
show that it was in the foment of civil
strife and recommending legislation,
was said to be the first step in this
movement; but some of the more pru-
dent Radical politicians ventured in an
indirect way to advise the President not
to make any special recommendations
in his message transmitting these vol
luminous reports, but to allow the latter
alone to serve their own purpose. So a
denial was filtered the Associated Press
channels that the President had an idea
of sending in a message to Congress on
the condition of the South. But the mes
sage, to the contrary notwithstanding,
came along in due time to the Senate,
and last week the second step in the
programme was fully developed in the
Senate in a motion made by Sena-
tor Morton, of Indiana, tc raise a special
committee of five, with shorthand
writer and clerk, whose duty is defined
to be roam over the South for inquiry
into the alleged horrible Ku-Klux out
rages, DE. The oaFpet-bsg Senators who
viii soon be turned out by the new
Democratic Legislatures of the South
appealed most Justify for this new Sena-
torial inquisitiOn and depicted the
Southern States reign of terror. In
deed, it was the old cry of Outrage upon
outrage so often heard in Congress
when any Radical purpose is to be serv-
ed in the South. But Senators CasserIy,
ofCalifornia, Bayard, of Delaware, and
Thurman, Of Ohio, exposed the partisan
character Of the proposed inquiry in
speeches that brought half the Senatori-
al land-grabbers to their feet. Sentor
Bayard claimed that this committee
would take evidence that had been cut
and dried to order to fulfill Radical
design. That it was shameless in its
bOldness was proven out of the mouths
of its own friends, for the notorious Rad
ical Governor Bullock, of Georgia, had
even written letter, not two weeks
old, in which he spoke of the December
election in that State, which resulted in
a Democratic victory, as having been a
fair and orderly one. Senator Casserly
looked upon the movement as an effort
to build up the waning fortunes of the
Radical party. In truth, it is regarded
everywhere. 1t is the first of series of
steps made by the President, and sec
onded by Senator Morton, tocontroI the
Southern States for the Presidential sue
cession.
Senator Thurman made an exceeding
ly forcible speech, which we give below
on the resolution of the Committee, in
which he completely turned the tables
on the Radicals by referring to the ras-
cally laws of certain Southern States un-
der carpet-bag rule. Nota Senator from
these States, or any other State, made
any attempt to deny his statements or
defend the villainous enactments of
which he spoke. Their game is of an
entirely different character. The debate
of which we speak took place on We'd
nesday, and the resolution for the Com
mittee was adopted on Thursday, and it
has since been appointed by the Vice
President. It consists of four Radicals
and one Democrat.
SENATOR THURMAN'S SPEECH.
Mr.. Thurman. The resolutions (for
the special committee) would seem to
be in response to this clause in the Presi-
dents annual message-the opening par
agraph of the message:
''To the Senate and House Of Representatives"
"a year of peace and general prosper
! ity to this nation has passed since the
last assembling of Congress. We have,
though kind Providence, been blessed
with abundant crops, and have been
spared from complications and war with
foreign nations. In our mist compare
tive harmony has been restored. 1t Is
to be regretted, however, that a free ex-
ercise of the elective franchise has, by