Year: 1866

RECONSIRUCIIO


Mass Meeting In Boston.
Speeches by Governor Bullock, Con.


gressmen Boutwell,, Samuel Mckee, OF


Kentucky, and wm. b. Stokes. OF Ten.


nessee.


. BosToS. Mass. May q. 1856.


The reconstruction and impartial suffrage ag-


itators have had high carnival here to-day


Three or four thousand of them assembled in


Faneuil Hall this afternoon, to consider the eues


tions Of the national danger and the national safe


ty and the admission of the States lately in re-


bellion and especially with reference to the dan


ger of placing political power in the hands Of the


enemies of the federal government and of repub-


licsn institutions. There were present and seated


upon the platform a number of leaders Of the old


anti-slavery. liberty and republican parties, who


in days gone by have so materially aided in Civ


ing to the State its present position on the side Of


universal liberty. A number of ladies occupied


seats in the galleries. which were well filed; and


as the meeting progressed the floor of the hall was


also filed.


Governor Bullock called the meeting to order


and delivered the opening address of the occasion,


which was several times warmly applauded. The


Governor spoke as follows:


FELLOW CITIZENS reason of engagements


which require my absence presently from the hall,


and by an understanding with those who have
made the preliminary arrangements for the meet
ing am here not to abuse their courtesy or yours


By speaking. but chiefly to introduce the en- inent
gentlemen who are to follow. It is a striking fact
that since two meetings held here more than a
Year ago, the one to rejoice over the final as
surance of the triumph Of our cause in the capit-
ulaton of Richmond. the other to express the sor-
row of every heart over the sudden death of the
late President, the doors Of this hall have not
been thrown open for the discussion of public af-
fairs until now. That is.because we have been
conhding and patient. WeWho shared in nom
mating him who by constitutional authority has
succeeded to the Presidency, and you who aided
in electng him, did not doubt that he would carry
out in honor and good faith the principles which
could not die with his predecessor but which sur
viTed for him to execute. That duty, that oppor-
tunity. is even yet his I will not forget at this
moment the Office hold or the higher Office
which he holds to indulge in any personalities.
which are as distasteful to me as I think they
would BE 20 Srash our eonfdence our
patience. also has been as graat.-The- people of
Massachusetts, have illustrated that virtue in this
instanc and they could afford to illustrate il. If
know themsthey so believe in representative
government as 20 be wishing to await the action of
their representatives. For myself do not hesitate
to say without especial reference to the present
incumbent. that while, during the war. the Rxec-
utive. according to the practice and annals Of all
wars, and of necessity obscured Congress, now
that peace has returned, Congress, according
to the Consultation. and as the popular
representatives Of the government, must become
our central source of hope for the future. Now.
fellow citizens to this process of restoration or
reconstruction-it is in my judgment not very i'm
portant which of the two you call tit is not
worth while here to discuss details. Plans and
abound. and if my friends here pres
ent from Washington will pardon me. there have
been quite enough Of these propositions in the
present Congress. What we all want is one plan
which true men everywhere shall unite on. around
which we may all rally as unity of organization.
and which the people Of the loyal States will
stand by until their government shall be -estab
ished with certainty and safety. I rejoice to
learn that Congress is about to propose to the
country such plan. and it need not be doubted
that the people will sustain them by the united
hearts and the united votes of all those who up
held the flag during the war at home. and Of all
those who fought under it in the field and survive
to defend it at their fresides and at the ballot
boxes. One thing is essential to this plan, or to
any plan that can live; and I know only one
thing which Is essential. for think it includes all
other things. 1t is that the government of this
country. snatched from the fiery gulf Of disunioH.
trophy to US and our children of the bloodiest of
all wars shall heneeforth be in the hands of those
only who are its friends, without distinction of
race or color who have lived for it and have paid
"A =. r - =
and that from its custody and control they only
shall be excluded who, having once endeavored
to destroy it. may be fairly presumed to be willing
sEain to seek to destroy it. And for this guaran-
tee and security I believe all measures are Just
and constitutional which are necessary to secure
the result If you let down from this doctrine,
nothing to prevent the return of the authors of
the rebellion to their former tripodes in the Senate
and the House-I see nothing which shall prevent
Jefferson Davis whose trial. if it ever comes will
have come two years too late, from resuming his |
seat in the Senate chamber by the side of my per-
sonal friend Mr.. Dixon, and from treating him as
well as he did befere say, then fellow citizens,
that whatever Is essential to keep this government
out of the hands Of those who would destroy it, |
that is needed and that is warranted You need |
not tell me that any such measure Is unconstitu-
tional. It is Of the legaeies and necessities of
the war. The shadows of war power stretch over
into the period of peace. And for all the purpos-
es Of saving and securing the government from the
ruins and debris of the war. now that peace has
come. the rights Of safety of the republic the
original rights of empire. as legitimately and
regularly exercised now as they were then. No
government ever existed a century upon any other
principle. What the measure of this necessity
may be. what the policy which shall be thought
best. most liberal. yet sufficiently secure, 1 am
willing to leave to our true men in Congress such
IS are here to-day. I believe in national and i'm
partial suffrage to the fullest extent; said so in
! eulogy upon the late President which it was my
iortune to pronounce one year ago this day, and
nothing which has happened since has changed
my opinion. but everything has strengthened it.
But it is my purpose to uphold the hands of
Congress. if they will only hold their own hands
Up all together. hail the tidings VIII ich come to
Is from them trilling over the wires The plan
which the newspapers tell me they have agreed
lpon commands my approval and strengthens my
nerves. as believe it does yours. Let them give
L two-thirds vote in Congress. and We will give
/ four-ffths vote in Massachusetts,. But it is
only my business here to herald others. The time
will come soon enough when we who are at home
hero will have the opportunity to discuss these
high subjects with greater freedom and with amp
er time. In welcoming that opportunity am
willing to be counted. Now my duty is briefer
md simDler-only to introduce to your waiting
Ears a distinguished member of Congress, whose
sloquent voice is worthy of Kentucky, and there
fore greatful to Faneuil Hall-another member
elect who, I trust, will at an early day speak in
he House Of ofRepresentatiYes words of cheer from
he desOlation and martyrdom of Tennessee
And. again. another, one Of our own, who needs
10 Introduction in Massachusetts,.


Governor Bullock introduced to the audience
hon. Samuel Mckee, member Of Congress from
Kentucky. who was received with hearty applause.