Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-04-15
Forty-Second Congress Session.
WASHINGTON. D. c., April IA, 1871.
SENATE

WASHINGTON, ID. c., April IA, 1871.
SENATE.
At ten o'clock, Vice President ColfaX called
the senate to order, and the debate was con-
tinued, although there were not over dozen
senators in their seats.
Mr.. Schurz had the floor but, before proceed
ing, gave way to Mr.. Howe, who gracefully
alluded to the speech of Mr. Sumner last night.
and expressed his regret that he had, in a recent
debate, doubted the loyalty of the senator from
Massachusetts to the republican party
Mr.. Sumner said briefly, in reply, that he had
spoken as he did on the San Domingo question
because of his devotion to the republican party,
and his desire to save it from the commission of
u crime against international law.
Mr.. Schurz then went on with his remarks
approving some portions of the bill, but gener-
ally opposing the remainder of it.
He said, the origin of the evil existed in the
baffled pro-slavery spirit, producing morbid
public sentiment, which overawed timid people
and obstructed the functions of justice. Bad
local governments had increased the difficulty,
the existence of which, in several southern
states, had to be admitted. 1t might have been
prevented, had the honest and intelligent men
Of the south protected the rights of the emanci-
pated people, instead of driving them into hands
of INSCRIPTIONS men. The remedy now could
not be found in penal statutes. Mr. Schurz went
on to oppose those provisions of the bill which
enlarged the national jurisdiction, at the ex-
pense of local self government, in violation of
the spirit of the constitution, and creating a
constructive rebellion, in order to vest the presi-
dent with discretionary power to suspend the
habeas corpus. The laws are liable to danger
Gus abuse by partisan government. He
could not vote for the bill, unless these provi-
sions were stricken out but would support
constitutional measure for the repression of out
RACES Tile democratic party could not give
peace to southern society, because it was over
awed by lawless element, and controlled by a
reactionary tendency. The republican party in
mo IN the COnfhprO in no
condition, equally unable to secure peace and
order, because, unless it is got rid of, dishonest
leadership could not produce good government;
but the democratic party had a strong law and
order loving element in it, and the republican
party contained numerous class of honest and
independent men, in favor of good government.
These elements, united, would be strong enough
to put down discord, without interference of the
national authority. A union of these elements,
now separated by party lines, could be facilitated
by the removal of political disabilities, now OPP
posed from sentimental point of view
What was their practical uSefulneSsp They
did not protect any man in his rights, lessen
the mischief of the evil disposed, or strengthen
the party of law and order. After referring to
instances in which political disabilities had
practically endangered the security OF the nc
groes and republicans, Mr.. Schurz strongly ad-
verted to their abolition, as means to healthier
southern public sentiment. The effect of per.
sistent and violent denunciations, by the demo-
stitutional amendments, was to strengthen the
kuklux spirit in provoking the use of arbitrary
power. Defining his position as liberal repub-
lican, Mr.. Schurz said he desired peace and
good will, the removal of political disabilities,
and the restoration of local self-government to
the utmost extent compatible with the constitu
ton, getting out of the way all war issues to
make room for new questions; but the very first
article Of his creed was firm maintenance ofthat
sentiment in the constitutional amendments,
| guaranteeing exual rights to all men. He ap.
| pealed to all republicans, while faithfully en-
forcing constitutional law, to set moral agencies
to work which would be of more permanent eff
| feet than general statutes, and abstain from
legislation which, by creating arbitrary powers,
might afford aid to some, but would be calcu-
lated to endanger the rights and liberties of ALL
Mr.. Edmunds closed the debate in long
speech. In reply to the constitutional and other
objections to the bill, which he reviewed in de-
tail, he quoted from publications put forth at
the time Of the formation Of the constitution,