The States and Union. [volume] (Ashland, Ohio) 1868-1872, 1871-05-10

aggression against the South, the first
law made to keep the leaders of the
Republican party in power, without
regard to the interests of the Union
or of the people, was the act of April
8, 1866, just one year after the sur
render of Lee. Then followed, in
1867, the act abolishing courts of law
and establishing military government
in the Southern STATES, subjecting the
people of those ten States TO the mill
tary laws of the United States, put
ting their lives, liberty and properly
at the mercy of military Commissions.
Sir, | have quoted authorities which
will not be questioned; butI amTnot
yet through. l hold in my hand the
message of the President of the United
States, sent to the last session of the
Forty-frst Congress, dated December
5, 1870, in which he says that "year
of peace and general prosperity to this
nation has assed since the last assem-
bling of Congress" This comes from
the President, who now asks you to
give him power to d, clare martial lazy
in all the States of the Union at his
OWL. discretion. "a
Nor do rest here. / have stated
that on this question the Republicans
of this House were divided, that there
were members of the Republican par.
ty whose intention was, if within their
power, to involve the country in civil
war. They ask the army and navy
for that purpose. They ask you to
give the President power 10 call out
the militia for that purpose; and if
these great powers are not sufficient,
they ask you then to grant him power
10 resort to any other means which he
may find necessary. With the major,
ity OF Republican members stood the
distinguished Speaker of this present
House. The first day of this Con-
gress the honorable Speaker addressed
this body as follows:
'FThc Forty second Congress assembled at
a period of general content, Happiness and
prosperity throughout the land. Under
the wise administration of the National
Government peace reigns in all our borders,
and the only serious misunderstanding with
a foreign power is, we may hope. at this
moment in process of honorable, cordial
and lasting adjustment. We are fortunate
in meeting at such time, in representing
such constituencies, in 1egislating for such
a country"
That was the truthful and eloquent
declaration of your Speaker on tho
4th day Of this month of March
And you all applauded the sentiment
and recognized the fact. Sir, fully
agree with the honorable Speaker,
that in this country peace reigns, and
there Is general obedience to law
throughout its vast extent, from the
frozen North to the palmettos of the
South, from ocean to ocean, and that,
such being the case, it is something
to be proud of; and I, as one of the
Representatives of the people, am
proud that such happy condition of
things does exist.
Mr.. Speaker, I have other testimo.
ny to which I desire to call the atten-
tion of the House. / hold in my hand
the message of Governor Warmoth,
of Louisiana last message-da-
ted January II, 1871, in which be
says: :,
will between the different classes of our
people has been strikingly evinced during
the lats year. 1t has been seen in q strong
ly pronounced disposition ON the part of all
good citizens in most parts of the State,
without respect to plrtisan differences, to
preserve order, enforce the laws, and rem
der obedience to all legally constituted au-
thority." -sr. .
And I will now desire to read brief.
ly from the message of another Gov
ernor Clayton, of Arkansas, who, like
n
He saysin his message which was also
written in the month of January last:
"You assemble here under very propiti-
tious circumstances. The past year has
been one of great prosperity. The crops
have been most abundant, and the season
for gathering and securing them remark
ably favorable. The wealth of the State
has been augmented by the influx of capi-
tai from the other States, which our supe-
rior advantages and undeveloped resources
have at length attracted us. Our State
credit has been established: comfy and
friendly relations exist between us and the
other States of the Union our relations
with the federal Government are harmo-
NOUS and satisfactory; law and order, peace
and security reign throughout our borders.
Under the benign influence of our free in
stitutions and the faithful enforcement of
u,
old animosities are being forgotten, and old
prejudices eradicated. aE.r
And yet gentlemen would have the
country believe that the South is full
of riot and disorder. o.. --..-..
Sir, referred moment ago to the
instructive lesson we can read from
across the waters, that OF France and
Louis Napoleon. There is another
lesson connected with that couptry
from which we may also derive bene-
fit. AT this moment France is con-
vulsed, at this moment armed bands
of men are rising against the law; and
Why? Because the agents of Louis
Napoleon, are instigating an insurreo-
tion, are trying to produce chaos, that
he may become necessity to the res.
toration of order. ...
Now, sir, if you want to preserve
peace 10 the South, if you wantto pre-
serve peace and tranquilityto the whole
country, if you are not determined to
strike bow which may and in the
total subversiop of our free institu-
tions, change your policy to the South;
instead Of disabilities give amnesty
instead of vengeance offer reconcilia-
tion; instead of hostility tender the
olive branch, and peace, prosperity
and happiness will bless the whole
&C untry
Sir, I, with you, with every good
citizen, denounce the violation of the
Law wherever the law is violated. But
to punish an individual crime or to
punish a few crimes, do not strike
down the institutions of our country.