Year: 1867

from maryianu, ueiiNeteu III tue penute
on the Goth, on the bill to provide for the
more efficient government Of the rebel
States, which passed:


"Mr. Prcsident--I have felt q solicitude
for the condition Of the country conse
quent upon the exclusion of the Southern
States from their right Of representation
in this body, that i want words to express
The view that have entertained is that,
in their present condition, they are enti-
tied to be represented. But the Congress
Of the United States, from the termina-
ton Of the rebellion to the present time,
has taken different view, and have
lost all hope of seeing them at any early
date, if at any day with the consent of
Congress, reiastated in their original cop-
dition.


"Besides the interest, the vital interest,
which the people Of the South necessarily
have In the present state Of things, the
interest of the other States is almost as
great. AS long as it continues, more or
less will the reputation Of tho country
suffer- have been, therefore, from the
first, ready to agree to any proposition
which believed would result in bringing
the Southern States back, however much
| may be opposed to the conditions which
might be exaoted Of them.


"Nothing can be worse than the state
in which they are nov placed. Desola-
ton around them; all rights denied them
of political character, and on the floor
Of the Senate, to say nothing of another
branch Of the Government, their charac-
ter as men has been aspersed in terms
which have caused me nothing but the
deepest regret. know that they are not
deserving of such aspersion. / think /
know that the descendants Of the men OF
battled on the Geld for the honor and
glory of the country, and contributed SO
mnch to the success of our civil govern
ment, can not be such men as some of the
members Of Congress have designated
them. l wish them to be here in our
midst to show by their presence that in
all particulars-moral and political, in
tellectual and Christian--they arc our
equals. The very battles which they have
wngad in seeking to destroy the Govern
ment exhibited deeds of valor Of which
Rome in her proudest days might have
boasied. If had my own way | would
receive them at once in this chamber, with
heart full of conviction that they would
be true to their duty to their country, and
that they would promote its permanent
interest.


"But have not my way. am oblig-
ed, therefore, to acquiesce in the decision
of the majority of Congress, however err
roneous or unjust may believe that de-
cision to be, provided believe that it
will end in comparatively short time in
restoring the Southern States to the broth.
erhood Of States. am unwilling tha.
this Congress shall adjourn without the
adoption of some measure that holds out a
hope. howeysr distant, that this mag be
the result Of our deliberations, and beliey-
ing that this will be done by the adoption
Of the measure as it now stands before
you, shall pow give it my vote, pot be-
cause l approve Of It in the abstract or in
the particular. but because ! think | see
in it mode of rescuing the country from
the perilous predicament in which it is
now placed.


"Mr. President, if there be feeling
which should animate the heart Of every
American, il should be one of generosity,
magnanimity and charity for the men
who. although they sought to break ssun.
der the cords of the Union, are now look
ing with solicitpde to their being rein.
stated.


"If there be feeling which should an
innate every American citizen, it is that
We should be, and at the earliest period, a
people one and indivisible, demonstra-
ting to the world that however alarming
the last few years may have been, and
however they were calculated to cause the
lovers of constitutional freedom to des-
pond, the time has come, or the time will
speedily come, when the feelings conse-
quent upon that effort will have subsided
and we shall be brought together again
and be seen in the undisturbed exercise
Of duties imposed upon us, and exhibit
ing to the world people great in war,
and people capable OF being in the end,
the war terpiaated. as great in peace"