History Of The Thirty-Ninth Congress Of The United States - free ebook by William Horatio Barnes

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History Of The Thirty-Ninth Congress Of The United States

William Horatio Barnes

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WITH PORTRAITS.

WITH PORTRAITS.

NEW YORK: HARPER &amp; BROTHERS, PUBLISHERS, 327 TO 335 PEARL STREET. 1868. Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by WILLIAM H. BARNES, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the District of Columbia....

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PREFACE.

PREFACE.

The history of the Thirty-Ninth Congress is a sequel to that of the Rebellion. This having been overthrown, it remained for Congress to administer upon its effects. It depended upon the decisions of Congress whether the expected results of our victories should be realized or lost. Now that the work of the Thirty-Ninth Congress stands forth complete, people naturally desire to know something of the manner in which the rough material was shaped into order, and the workmanship by which the whole wa

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CHAPTER I.—Opening Scenes.

CHAPTER I.—Opening Scenes.

(Page 13-21.) Momentous Events of the Vacation — Opening of the Senate — Mr. Wade — Mr. Sumner — Mr. Wilson — Mr. Harris — Edward McPherson — As Clerk of the preceding Congress, he calls the House to order — Interruption of Roll-call by Mr. Maynard — Remarks by Mr. Brooks — His Colloquy with Mr. Stevens — Mr. Colfax elected Speaker — His Inaugural Address — The Test Oath....

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CHAPTER II.—Locations of the Members and Cast of the Committees.

CHAPTER II.—Locations of the Members and Cast of the Committees.

(Page 22-32.) Importance of surroundings — Members sometimes referred to by their seats — Senator Andrew Johnson — Seating of the Senators — Drawing in the House — The Senate Chamber as seen from the Gallery — Distinguished Senators — The House of Representatives — Some prominent characters — Importance of Committees — Difficulty in their appointment — Important Senate Committees — Committees of the House....

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CHAPTER III.—Formation of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction.

CHAPTER III.—Formation of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction.

(Page 33-49.) Lack of Excitement — Cause — The Resolution — Dilatory Motions — Yeas and Nays — Proposed Amendments in the Senate — Debate in the Senate — Mr. Howard — Mr. Anthony — Mr. Doolittle — Mr. Fessenden — Mr. Saulsbury — Mr. Hendricks — Mr. Trumbull — Mr. Guthrie — Passage of the Resolution in the Senate — Yeas and Nays — Remarks of Mr. Stevens on the Amendment of the Senate — Concurrence of the House — The Committee appointed....

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CHAPTER IV.—Suffrage in the District of Columbia.

CHAPTER IV.—Suffrage in the District of Columbia.

(Page 50-94.) Duty of Congress to Legislate for the District of Columbia — Suffrage Bill introduced into the House — Speech by Mr. Wilson — Mr. Boyer — Mr. Schofield — Mr. Kelly — Mr. Rogers — Mr. Farnsworth — Mr. Davis — Mr. Chanler — Mr. Bingham — Mr. Grinnell — Mr. Kasson — Mr. Julian — Mr. Thomas — Mr. Darling — Mr. Hale's Amendment — Mr. Thayer — Mr. Van Horn — Mr. Clarke — Mr. Johnson — Mr. Boutwell....

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CHAPTER V.—The Freedmen.

CHAPTER V.—The Freedmen.

(Page 95-103.) Necessities of the Freedmen — Committee in the House — Early Movement by the Senate in behalf of Freedmen — Senator Wilson's Bill — Occasion for it — Mr. Cowan Moves its reference — Mr. Reverdy Johnson advises deliberation — A Question of time With Mr. Sherman — Mr. Trumbull promises a more efficient Bill — Mr. Sumner presents proof of the bad condition of affairs in the South — Mr. Cowan and Mr. Stewart produce the President as a Witness for the Defense — Mr. Wilson on the Testim

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CHAPTER VI.—The Freedmen's Bureau Bill in the Senate.

CHAPTER VI.—The Freedmen's Bureau Bill in the Senate.

(Page 104-137.) The Bill introduced and referred to Judiciary Committee — Its provisions — Argument of Mr. Hendricks against it — Reply of Mr. Trumbull — Mr. Cowan's Amendment — Mr. Guthrie wishes to relieve Kentucky from the operation of the bill — Mr. Creswell desires that Maryland may enjoy the benefits of the bill — Mr. Cowan's Gratitude to God and Friendship for the Negro — Remarks by Mr. Wilson — "The short gentleman's long speech" — Yeas and Nays — Insulting title....

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CHAPTER VII.—The Freedmen's Bureau Bill in the House.

CHAPTER VII.—The Freedmen's Bureau Bill in the House.

(Page 138-157.) The Bill Reported To the House — Mr. Eliot's Speech — History — Mr. Dawson Vs. the Negro — Mr. Garfield — The Idol Broken — Mr. Taylor Counts the Cost — Mr. Donnelly's Amendment — Mr. Kerr — Mr. Marshall On White Slavery — Mr. Hubbard — Mr. Moulton — Opposition From Kentucky — Mr. Ritter — Mr. Rosseau's Threat — Mr. Shanklin's Gloomy Prospect — Mr. Trimble's Appeal — Mr. Mckee an Exceptional Kentuckian — Mr. Grinnell on Kentucky — The Examp

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CHAPTER VIII.—The Senate and the Veto Message.

CHAPTER VIII.—The Senate and the Veto Message.

(Page 158-187.) Mr. Trumbull on the Amendments of the House — Mr. Guthrie exhibits feeling — Mr. Sherman's deliberate Conclusion — Mr. Henderson's sovereign remedy — Mr. Trumbull on patent medicines — Mr. Mcdougall a white Man — Mr. Reverdy Johnson on the power to pass the Bill — Concurrence of the House — The Veto Message — Mr. Lane, of Kansas — His efforts for delay — Mr. Garrett Davis — Mr. Trumbull's reply to the President — The Question taken — Yeas and Nays — Failure of passage....

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CHAPTER IX.—The Civil Rights Bill in the Senate.

CHAPTER IX.—The Civil Rights Bill in the Senate.

(Page 188-219.) Duty of Congress consequent upon the Abolition of Slavery — Civil Rights Bill introduced — Reference to Judiciary Committee — Before the Senate — Speech By Mr. Trumbull — Mr. Saulsbury — Mr. van Winkle — Mr. Cowan — Mr. Howard — Mr. Johnson — Mr. Davis — Conversations with Mr. Trumbull and Mr. Clark — Reply of Mr. Johnson — Remarks by Mr. Morrill — Mr. Davis "wound Up" — Mr. Guthrie's Speech — Mr. Hendricks — Reply of Mr. Lane — Mr. Wilson

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CHAPTER X.—The Civil Rights Bill in the House of Representatives.

CHAPTER X.—The Civil Rights Bill in the House of Representatives.

(Page 220-244.) The Bill referred to the Judiciary Committee and reported back — Speech by the Chairman of the Committee — Mr. Rogers — Mr. Cook — Mr. Thayer — Mr. Eldridge — Mr. Thornton — Mr. Windom — Mr. Shellabarger — Mr. Broomall — Mr. Raymond — Mr. Delano — Mr. Kerr — Amendment by Mr. Bingham — His Speech — Reply by his Colleague — Discussion closed by Mr. Wilson — Yeas and Nays on the passage of the Bill — Mr. Le Blond's proposed title — Amendm

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CHAPTER XI.—The Civil Rights Bill and the Veto.

CHAPTER XI.—The Civil Rights Bill and the Veto.

(Page 245-293.) Doubts as to the President's Decision — Suspense ended — The Veto Message — Mr. Trumbull's Answer — Mr. Reverdy Johnson defends the Message — Rejoinder — Remarks of Mr. Yates — Mr. Cowan appeals to the Country — Mr. Stewart shows how States may make the Law a Nullity — Mr. Wade — Mr. McDougall on Persian Mythology — Mr. J. H. Lane defends the President — Mr. Wade — The President's Collar — Mr. Brown — Mr. Doolittle — Mr. Garrett Davis — Mr.

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CHAPTER XII.—The Second Freedmen's Bureau Bill becomes a Law.

CHAPTER XII.—The Second Freedmen's Bureau Bill becomes a Law.

(Page 294-306.) The Discovery of the Majority — The Senate Bill — The House Bill — Its Provisions — Passage of the Bill — Amendment and Passage in the Senate — Committee of Conference — The Amendments as Accepted — The Bill as Passed — The Veto — The Proposition of a Democrat accepted — Confusion in Leadership — Passage of the Bill over The Veto — It Becomes a Law....

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CHAPTER XIII.—First Words on Reconstruction.

CHAPTER XIII.—First Words on Reconstruction.

(Page 307-323.) Responsibility of the Republican Party — Its Power and Position — Initiatory Step — Mr. Stevens speaks for himself — Condition of the Rebel States — Constitutional Authority under which Congress should act — Estoppel — What Constitutes Congress — The First Duty — Basis of Representation — Duty on exports — Two Important Principles — Mr. Raymond's Theory — Rebel States still in the Union — Consequences of the Radical Theory — Conditions

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CHAPTER XIV.—The Basis of Representation in the House.

CHAPTER XIV.—The Basis of Representation in the House.

(Page 324-372.) First work of the Joint Committee — The Joint Resolution proposing a Constitutional Amendment — Mr. Stevens' reasons for speedy action — Protracted Discussion Commenced — Objections to the Bill by Mr. Rogers — Defense by Mr. Conkling — Two other Modes — How States might Evade the Law — Not a Finality — Wisconsin and South Carolina — Amendment for Female Suffrage proposed — Orth on Indiana and Massachusetts — Obscuration of the Sun — More Radical Remedy desired — A Kentuckian grat

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CHAPTER XV.—The Basis of Representation in the Senate.

CHAPTER XV.—The Basis of Representation in the Senate.

(Page 373-414.) The Joint Resolution goes to the Senate — Counter-proposition by Mr. Sumner — He Speaks Five Hours — Mr. Henderson's Amendment — Mr. Fessenden — Mr. Henry S. Lane — Mr. Johnson — Mr. Henderson — Mr. Clark's Historical Statements — Fred. Douglass' Memorial — Mr. Williams — Mr. Hendricks — Mr. Chandler's "blood-letting Letter" — Proposition of Mr. Yates — His Speech — Mr. Buckalew against New England — Mr. Pomeroy — Mr. Sumner's second S

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CHAPTER XVI.—Representation of the Southern States.

CHAPTER XVI.—Representation of the Southern States.

(Page 417-433.) Concurrent Resolution — A "Venomous Fight" — Passage in the House — The Resolution in the Senate — "A Political Wrangle" deprecated — Importance of the Question — "A Straw in a Storm" — Policy of the President — Conversation between two Senators — Mr. Nye's Advice to Rebels — "A Dangerous Power" — "Was Mr. Wade once a Secessionist?" — Garrett Davis' Programme for the President — "Useless yet Mischievous" — The Great Question Settled....

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CHAPTER XVII.—The Reconstruction Amendment in the House.

CHAPTER XVII.—The Reconstruction Amendment in the House.

(Page 434-451.) A Constitutional Amendment proposed and postponed — Proposition by Mr. Stewart — The Reconstruction Amendment — Death of its Predecessor lamented — Opposition to the Disfranchisement of Rebels — "The Unrepentent Thirty-three" — Nine-tenths Reduced to One-twelfth — Advice to Congress — The Committee denounced — Democratic and Republican Policy compared — Authority without Power — A Variety of Opinions — An Earthquake predicted — The Joint Re

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CHAPTER XVIII.—The Reconstruction Amendment in the Senate.

CHAPTER XVIII.—The Reconstruction Amendment in the Senate.

(Page 452-455.) Difference between Discussions in the House and in the Senate — Mr. Sumner proposes to postpone — Mr. Howard takes Charge of the Amendment — Substitutes proposed — The Republicans in Council — The Disfranchising Clause stricken out — Humorous Account by Mr. Hendricks — The Pain and Penalties of not holding Office — A Senator's Piety appealed to — Howe vs. Doolittle — Marketable Principles — Praise of the President — Mr. McDougall's Charity — Vote of the Senate — Concurrence in th

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CHAPTER XIX.—Report of the Committee on Reconstruction.

CHAPTER XIX.—Report of the Committee on Reconstruction.

(Page 466-472.) An important State Paper — Work of the Committee — Difficulty of obtaining information — Theory of the President — Taxation and Representation — Disposition and doings of the Southern People — Conclusion of the Committee — Practical Recommendations....

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CHAPTER XX.—Restoration of Tennessee.

CHAPTER XX.—Restoration of Tennessee.

(Page 473-482.) Assembling of the Tennessee Legislature — Ratification of the Constitutional Amendment — Restoration of Tennessee proposed in Congress — The Government of Tennessee not Republican — Protest against the Preamble — Passage in the House — New Preamble proposed — The President's Opinion deprecated and disregarded — Passage in the Senate — The President's Approval and Protest — Admission of Tennessee Members — Mr. Patterson's Case....

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CHAPTER XXI.—Negro Suffrage.

CHAPTER XXI.—Negro Suffrage.

(Page 483-501.) Review of the preceding action — Efforts of Mr. Yates for Unrestricted Suffrage — Davis's Amendment to Cuvier — The "Propitious Hour" — The Mayor's Remonstrance — Mr. Willey's Amendment — Mr. Cowan's Amendment for Female Suffrage — Attempt to out-radical the Radicals — Opinions for and against Female Suffrage — Reading and Writing as a Qualification — Passage of the Bill — Objections of the President — Two Senators on the Opinions of the Pe

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CHAPTER XXII.—The Military Reconstruction Act.

CHAPTER XXII.—The Military Reconstruction Act.

(Page 502-551.) Proposition by Mr. Stevens — "Piratical Governments" not to be recognized — The Military Feature introduced — Mr. Schofield's Dog — The Only Hope of Mr. Hise — Conversation concerning the Reconstruction Committee — Censure of a Member — A Military Bill Reported — War Predicted — The "Blaine Amendment" — Bill passes the House — In the Senate — Proposition to Amend — Mr. McDougall desires Liberty of Speech — Mr. Doolittle pleads for the Life

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CHAPTER XXIII.—Other Important Acts.

CHAPTER XXIII.—Other Important Acts.

(Page 552-560.) Equalizing Bounties — The Army — The Department of Education — Southern Homesteads — The Bankrupt Law — The Tariff — Reduction of Taxes — Contracting the Currency — Issue of Three Per Cents. — Nebraska and Colorado — Tenure of Office....

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CHAPTER XXIV.—The President and Congress.

CHAPTER XXIV.—The President and Congress.

(Page 561-567.) The President's treatment of the South — First Annual Message — Mr. Sumner's Criticism — The President triumphant — He damages his Cause — Humor of Mr. Stevens — Vetoes Overridden — The Question submitted to the People — Their Verdict — Summary of Vetoes — Impeachment — Charges by Mr. Ashley — Report of the Committee....

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CHAPTER XXV.—Personal.

CHAPTER XXV.—Personal.

(Page 568-576.) Contested Seats — Mr. Stockton votes for Himself — New Jersey's Loss of two Senators — Losses of Vermont — Suicide of James H. Lane — Death in the House — General Scott — Lincoln's Eulogy and Statue — Mr. Sumner on Fine Arts in the Capitol — Censure of Mr. Chanler — Petition for the Expulsion of Garret Davis — Grinnell assaulted by Rousseau — The Action of the House — Leader of the House. Biographical Sketches 577...

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LIST OF PORTRAITS.

LIST OF PORTRAITS.

PAGE 1.—Hon. Schuyler Colfax, Frontispiece. 2.—Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, 29 3.—Hon. William D. Kelley, 59 4.—Hon. Sidney Clarke, 89 5.—Hon. Thomas A. Hendricks, 109 6.—Hon. Henry Wilson, 135 7.—Hon. Samuel C. Pomeroy, 171 8.—Hon. Reverdy Johnson, 203 9.—Hon. James F. Wilson, 239 10.—Hon. William M. Stewart, 275 11.—Hon. Ebon C. Ingersoll, 307 12.—Hon. Robert C. Schenck, 353 13.—Hon. Richard Yates, 399 14.—Hon. Edwin D. Morgan, 453 15.—Hon. William B. Stokes, 481 16.—Hon. George H. Williams, 517 17.

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INTRODUCTORY.

INTRODUCTORY.

By HON. SCHUYLER COLFAX, The Congress that has just passed away has written a record that will be long remembered by the poor and friendless, whom it did not forget. Misrepresented or misunderstood by those who denounced it as enemies, harshly and unjustly criticised by some who should have been its friends, it proved itself more faithful to human progress and liberty than any of its predecessors. The outraged and oppressed found in these congressional halls champions and friends. Its key-note o

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CHAPTER I.

CHAPTER I.

Momentous Events of the Vacation — Opening of the Senate — Mr. Wade — Mr. Sumner — Mr. Wilson — Mr. Harris — Edward McPherson — As Clerk of the preceding Congress, he calls the House to order — Interruption of Roll-call by Mr. Maynard — Remarks by Mr. Brooks — His Colloquy with Mr. Stevens — Mr. Colfax elected Speaker — His Inaugural Address — The Test Oath. The Thirty-ninth Congress of the United States, convened in the Capitol at Washington on the fourth of D

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CHAPTER II.

CHAPTER II.

Importance of surroundings — Members sometimes referred to by their seats — Senator Andrew Johnson — Seating of the Senators — Drawing in the House — The Senate-chamber as seen from the Gallery — Distinguished Senators — The House of Representatives — Some prominent characters — Importance of Committees — Difficulty in their appointment — Important Senate Committees — Committees of the House. The localities and surroundings of men have an influence on their actions and opinions. A matter which,

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CHAPTER III.

CHAPTER III.

Lack of Excitement — Cause — The Resolution — Dilatory Motions — Yeas and Nays — Proposed Amendments in the Senate — Debate in the Senate — Mr. Howard — Mr. Anthony — Mr. Doolittle — Mr. Fessenden — Mr. Saulsbury — Mr. Hendricks — Mr. Trumbull — Mr. Guthrie — Passage of the Resolution in the Senate — Yeas and Nays — Remarks of Mr. Stevens on the Amendments of the Senate — Concurrence of the House — The Committee appointed. Since it was known throughout the

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CHAPTER IV.

CHAPTER IV.

Duty of Congress to legislate for the District of Columbia — Suffrage Bill introduced into the House — Speech by Mr. Wilson — Mr. Boyer — Mr. Schofield — Mr. Kelley — Mr. Rogers — Mr. Farnsworth — Mr. Davis — Mr. Chanler — Mr. Bingham — Mr. Grinnell — Mr. Kasson — Mr. Julian — Mr. Thomas — Mr. Darling — Mr. Hale's amendment — Mr. Thayer — Mr. Van Horn — Mr. Clarke — Mr. Johnson — Mr. Boutwell. Whatever differences of opinion may exist as to the authority o

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CHAPTER V.

CHAPTER V.

Necessities of the Freedmen — Committee in the House — Early movement by the Senate in behalf of Freedmen — Senator Wilson's Bill — Occasion for it — Mr. Cowan moves its reference — Mr. Reverdy Johnson advises deliberation — A question of time with Mr. Sherman — Mr. Trumbull promises a more efficient bill — Mr. Sumner presents proof of the bad condition of affairs in the South — Mr. Cowan and Mr. Stewart produce the President as a witness for the defense — Mr. Wilson on the testimony — "Conserva

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CHAPTER VI.

CHAPTER VI.

The bill introduced and referred to Judiciary Committee — Its provisions — Argument of Mr. Hendricks against it — Reply of Mr. Trumbull — Mr. Cowan's amendment — Mr. Guthrie wishes to relieve Kentucky from the operation of the bill — Mr. Creswell desires that Maryland may enjoy the benefits of the bill — Mr. Cowan's gratitude to God and friendship for the negro — Remarks by Mr. Wilson — "The short gentleman's long speech" — Yeas and nays — Insulting title. On the 19th of December Mr. Trumbull ga

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CHAPTER VII.

CHAPTER VII.

The Bill reported to the House — Mr. Eliot's Speech — History — Mr. Dawson vs. the Negro — Mr. Garfield — The Idol Broken — Mr. Taylor counts the Cost — Mr. Donnelly's Amendment — Mr. Kerr — Mr. Marshall on White Slavery — Mr. Hubbard — Mr. Moulton — Opposition from Kentucky — Mr. Ritter — Mr. Rousseau's Threat — Mr. Shanklin's Gloomy Prospect — Mr. Trimble's Appeal — Mr. Mckee an exceptional Kentuckian — Mr. Grinnell on Kentucky — the Example of Russ

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CHAPTER VIII.

CHAPTER VIII.

Mr. Trumbull on the amendments of the House — Mr. Guthrie exhibits feeling — Mr. Sherman's deliberate conclusion — Mr. Henderson's sovereign remedy — Mr. Trumbull on patent medicines — Mr. McDougall a white man — Mr. Reverdy Johnson on the power to pass the bill — Concurrence of the House — the Veto Message — Mr. Lane, of Kansas — His efforts for delay — Mr. Garrett Davis — Mr. Trumbull's reply to the President — The question taken — Yeas and Nays — Failure of passage. On the 7th of February the

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CHAPTER IX.

CHAPTER IX.

Duty of Congress consequent upon the Abolition of Slavery — Civil Rights Bill introduced — Reference to Judiciary Committee — Before the Senate — Speech by Mr. Trumbull — Mr. Saulsbury — Mr. van Winkle — Mr. Cowan — Mr. Howard — Mr. Johnson — Mr. Davis — Conversations with Mr. Trumbull and Mr. Clark — Reply of Mr. Johnson — Remarks by Mr. Morrill — Mr. Davis "wound up" — Mr. Guthrie's Speech — Mr. Hendricks — Reply of Mr. Lane — Mr. Wilson — Mr. Trumb

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CHAPTER X.

CHAPTER X.

The Bill referred to the Judiciary Committee and reported back — Speech by the Chairman of the Committee — Mr. Rogers — Mr. Cook — Mr. Thayer — Mr. Eldridge — Mr. Thornton — Mr. Windom — Mr. Shellabarger — Mr. Broomall — Mr. Raymond — Mr. Delano — Mr. Kerr — Amendment by Mr. Bingham — His Speech — Reply by his Colleague — Discussion closed by Mr. Wilson — Yeas and Nays on the Passage of the Bill — Mr. Le Blond's proposed title — Amendments of the Hous

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CHAPTER XI.

CHAPTER XI.

Doubts as to the President's Decision — Suspense ended — The Veto Message — Mr. Trumbull's Answer — Mr. Reverdy Johnson defends the Message — Rejoinder — Remarks of Mr. Yates — Mr. Cowan appeals to the Country — Mr. Stewart shows how States may make the Law a Nullity — Mr. Wade — Mr. McDougall on Persian Mythology — Mr. J. H. Lane defends the President — Mr. Wade — The President's Collar — Mr. Brown — Mr. Doolittle — Mr. Garrett Davis — Mr. Saulsbury

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CHAPTER XII.

CHAPTER XII.

The Discovery of the Majority — The Senate Bill — The House Bill — Its Provisions — Passage of the Bill — Amendment and Passage in the Senate — Committee of Conference — The Amendments as Accepted — The Bill as Passed — The Veto — The Proposition of a Democrat Accepted — Confusion in Leadership — Passage of the Bill over the Veto — It Becomes a Law. Congress having succeeded in placing the Civil Rights Bill in the statute-book in spite of Executive opposition,

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CHAPTER XIII.

CHAPTER XIII.

Responsibility of the Republican Party — Its Power and Position — Initiatory Step — Mr. Stevens steaks for Himself — Condition of the Rebel States — Constitutional Authority under which Congress should act — Estoppel — What constitutes Congress — The First Duty — Basis of Representation — Duty on Exports — Two important Principles — Mr. Raymond's Theory — Rebel States still in the Union — Consequences of the Radical Theory — Conditions to be Required

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CHAPTER XIV.

CHAPTER XIV.

First work of the Joint Committee — The joint resolution proposing a constitutional amendment — Mr. Stevens' reasons for speedy action — Protracted discussion commenced — Objections to the bill by Mr. Rogers — Defense by Mr. Conkling — Two other modes — How States might evade the Law — Not a finality — Wisconsin and South Carolina — Amendment for Female Suffrage proposed — Orth on Indiana and Massachusetts — Obscuration of the sun — More Radical remedy desired — A Kentuckian gratified — Citation

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CHAPTER XV.

CHAPTER XV.

The Joint Resolution goes to the Senate — Counter-proposition by Mr. Sumner — He Speaks Five Hours — Mr. Henderson's Amendment — Mr. Fessenden — Mr. Henry S. Lane — Mr. Johnson — Mr. Henderson — Mr. Clark's Historical Statements — Fred. Douglass' Memorial — Mr. Williams — Mr. Hendricks — Mr. Chandler's "Blood-letting Letter" — Proposition of Mr. Yates — His Speech — Mr. Buckalew against New England — Mr. Pomeroy — Mr. Sumner's Second Speech — Mr. Dool

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CHAPTER XVI.

CHAPTER XVI.

Concurrent Resolution — A "Venomous Fight" — Passage in the House — The Resolution in the Senate — "A Political Wrangle" Deprecated — Importance of the Question — "A Straw in a Storm" — Policy of the President — Conversation between two Senators — Mr. Nye's Advice to Rebels — "A Dangerous Power" — "Was Mr. Wade once a Secessionist?" — Garrett Davis' Programme for the President — "Useless yet Mischievous" — The Great Question Settled. It was understood when

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CHAPTER XVII.

CHAPTER XVII.

A Constitutional Amendment Proposed and Postponed — Proposition by Mr. Stewart — The Reconstruction Amendment — Death of its Predecessor Lamented — Opposition to the Disfranchisement of Rebels — "The Unrepentent Thirty-three" — Nine-tenths Reduced to One-twelfth — Advice to Congress — The Committee Denounced — Democratic and Republican Policy Compared — Authority without Power — A Variety of Opinions — An Earthquake Predicted — The Joint Resolution Pa

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CHAPTER XVIII.

CHAPTER XVIII.

Difference between Discussions in the House and in the Senate — Mr. Sumner proposes to postpone — Mr. Howard takes Charge of the Amendment — Substitutes proposed — The Republicans in Council — The Disfranchising Clause stricken out — Humorous Account by Mr. Hendricks — The Pain and Penalties of not holding Office — A Senator's Piety appealed to — Howe vs. Doolittle — Marketable Principles — Praise of the President — Mr. Mcdougall's Charity — Vote of the Senate — Concurrence in the House. The joi

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CHAPTER XIX.

CHAPTER XIX.

An important State Paper — Work of the Committee — Difficulty of obtaining information — Theory of the President — Taxation and Representation — Disposition and doings of the Southern People — Conclusion of the Committee — Practical Recommendations. On the 8th of June, the day on which the constitutional amendment passed the Senate, the report of the joint Committee on Reconstruction was presented to Congress. This important State paper had been looked for with great int

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CHAPTER XX.

CHAPTER XX.

Assembling of the Tennessee Legislature — Ratification of the Constitutional Amendment — Restoration of Tennessee proposed in Congress — The Government of Tennessee not Republican — Protest against the Preamble — Passage in the House — New Preamble proposed — The President's Opinion deprecated and disregarded — Passage in the Senate — The President's Approval and Protest — Admission of Tennessee Members — Mr. Patterson's Case. The most important practical step in the work of reconstruction taken

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CHAPTER XXI.

CHAPTER XXI.

Review of the Preceding Action — Efforts of Mr. Yates for Unrestricted Suffrage — Davis's Amendment to Cuvier — The "Propitious Hour" — The Mayor's Remonstrance — Mr. Willey's Amendment — Mr. Cowan's Amendment for Female Suffrage — Attempt to Out-radical the Radicals — Opinions for and against Female Suffrage — Reading and Writing as a Qualification — Passage of the Bill — Objections of the President — Two Senators on the Opinions of the People — The

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CHAPTER XXII.

CHAPTER XXII.

Proposition by Mr. Stevens — "Piratical Governments" not to be Recognized — The Military Feature Introduced — Mr. Schofield's Dog — The Only Hope of Mr. Hise — Conversation Concerning the Reconstruction Committee — Censure of a Member — A Military Bill Reported — War Predicted — The "Blaine Amendment" — Bill Passes the House — In the Senate — Proposition to Amend — Mr. Mcdougall Desires Liberty of Speech — Mr. Doolittle Pleads for the Life of the Republic

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CHAPTER XXIII.

CHAPTER XXIII.

Equalizing Bounties — The Army — The Department of Education — Southern Homesteads — The Bankrupt Law — The Tariff — Reduction of Taxes — Contracting the Currency — Issue of Three Per Cents. — Nebraska and Colorado — Tenure of Office. The great national measures, whose progress through Congress has been given in detail, occupied the attention of that body continuously, from the first days of its existence to the closing hours of its last session. No day passed which was

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CHAPTER XXIV.

CHAPTER XXIV.

The President's treatment of the South — First Annual Message — Mr. Sumner's Criticism — The President triumphant — He damages his Cause — Humor of Mr. Stevens — Vetoes overridden — The Question submitted to the People — Their Verdict — Summary of Vetoes — Impeachment — Charges by Mr. Ashley — Report of the Committee. The Thirty-ninth Congress is remarkable for having run its entire career with the constant opposition of the Executive obstructing its progress. In al

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CHAPTER XXV.

CHAPTER XXV.

Contested Seats — Mr. Stockton votes for Himself — New Jersey's loss of two Senators — Losses of Vermont — Suicide of James H. Lane — Death in the House — General Scott — Lincoln's Eulogy and Statue — Mr. Sumner on Fine Arts in the Capitol — Censure of Mr. Chanler — Petition for the expulsion of Garret Davis — Grinnell assaulted by Rousseau — The Action of the House — Leader of the House. Matters of interest relating to the members of the Thirty-ninth Congress

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