Year: 1868

their reconstructed States entitled TO repre-
scntation in the two Houses


FRUITS OF RECONSTRUCTION.


l might 60 on and take up these Recon-
struction laws, explaining one feature after
another, and then point out the fruits which
they have produced. This corrupt action
of men voting money out OF tho public
treasury into their own pockets for work
they never did, for imaginary services for
months before they were chosen, or there
was any pretcnse that their States could send
them, is only q sample of what Reconstruc-
ton brings forth. 1t does not stand alone.
Look at the Legislature of Florida, which
has Just passed q law that it will itself
choose Presidential electors, because it will
not trust the people of the State to choose
them. They have passed such law and
adjourned to meet in November to choose
electors. Nobody supposed when member
of either branch OF that Legislature was
selected that he would have anything to Ito
with the Presidential election. The Legis-
lature were chosen with no reference to that
subject and yet they pass law to take the
choice of Presidential electors from the peo.
pie and to WELD that power themselves


Look at Alabama. In that State also
bill of similar character was passod-that
the Legislature itself should choose presi-
dental electors. 1t was sent to the Gov
ernor. There was some prudent fear oil the
effects Of it North, and the Governor, upon
some judicious suggestion, sent back veto:
What was done in the two Houses? Did
the Legislature act upon his veto and sus-
tain it or disapprove it? Mo-. they laid it
over and postponed it till the day before the
Presidential election. What then? II the
State is likely to 60 against them on. the
popular vote, they can then pass that law !;
they have tho votes to pass it over the veto,
(which may or may not be Jona Jiae vcto)
and if that is done, they will choose electors
and not allow the people any voice in their
selection. This is one Of the fruits OF Re-
construction in Alabama


TEST oATHs.


What else ? In most Of these Southern
constitutions they have put a provision that
no man shall be permitted to vote who does
not swear solernnly beforehand betorea pub
lie officer that he accepts the political equal,
ity of the negroes with himself and will
maintain it in future. Think OF that /!
There is majority in this State opposed to
colored voting; we have it in our constltl,-
ton; we do not allow that class Of persons
to vote. There has been difference Of opln-
ion among our people on this subject, but a
majority has been opposed to negro suffrage
and is opposed to it now. Not one of you
holding your opinions could 90 into these
reconstructed States and settle there and
vote honestly under their constitutions You
would have to swear away your manhood,
your judgment upon this subject, not for
the time being only but for the future. You
must swear substantially that you will not
vote to alter the constitution of the State
or in any any other way remit back these
Congress made voters or any Of them to
their former condition of non-voting. This
is fruit of reconstruction under Congress
sional legislation. This is the oath made
by carpet-baggcr and negro in State conven-
tions, and adopted by negro votes, and fast
cncd down upon the people by Congression-
al law. For what purpose? In order to re-
tain political control Of those States, to push
away honest and decent men from the cleo
tions, even men from the North. 1t has
nothing to do with loyalty; it is an oath
test of opinion, most infamous and wicked,
concoctea for purposes OF rascality and ap-
piled generally in the South to prevent hon
est and fair elections.


OH is it possible that all this iniquity--
and have not touched more than the verge
OF the subject is it possible that this mon
strous iniouity of reconstruction now going
on for year and halt, as it appears in the
enactments of Congress, upon the face oil
the Southern constitutions, in the legislation
of the new.made legislatures of those States,
and in the political proceedings at their
elections, can pass in review before the
American people and not be rebukcd? i
so, | will not say that | shall despair al:
together of republican institutions, but |
will say that | should utterly despair of
them il they were to be judged by the elec'
ton, Of 1868. u,.


But this will not be the result. This sub
iect and the financial question have gone to
our people everywhere. They are under.
going debate; they are being comprehended
and understood and it is idle now for the
speakers and writer's of the Republican
party to come along with the old war cries,
attempt to get astride the passions OF men
and ride them forward in the direction
they may choose. 1t cannot be. Men may
have misbehaved themselves in the war, for
which they received a just measure OF ap-
probrium, but what has that to do now with
this question of reconstruction or this other
question of taxation, of revenue and Its
disbursement? The people will judge the
actual issues of this campaign, and put aside
all matters which are irrelevant or untlmely.


GOVERNOR SEYMOUR.


Gentlemen, Mt the New York Convention
an eminent man was named by our. party
for the Office Of President, who had been
Governor of the greatest Of our States: lie
has undergone examination as candidate
since he was named, and no man could un'
dcrgo such examination better. He has a
political and personal record which defes
criticism and debate. Remember, he was
Chief Magistrate Of the greatest Of ou,
States during part of the war; and tor
wears no man in this country contributed
more than he to the success OF our, armies
in raising troops, in organizing them N
sending them forward to the war, and in fol-
lowing them afterward with consiacrate and
earnest care and assistance. When our own
State was invaded by the enemy in 1868
being destitute Of troops Of our own, Coy
encr Seymour sent over troops to our AID
| They we're sent promptly and without grudg
ing. They did their work. Our State wa.
| to great extent protected by them.


A riot broke out in New York city. Ht
left the quiet of his residence at Albany and
went down to New York, called over. some
State forces newly organized, from Slater
Island. and used them to put down the riot