Restoration and the Union Party: Speech of Hon, Henry J. Raymond, of New York, on the Conditional Admission of the States Lately in Rebellion to Representation in Congress (Classic Reprint)

Mr. Raymond Mr. Speaker, I regard the action which this House may take upon the bill now before it as of very great importance. The bill embodies principles which touch very nearly the fundamental principles of our Government; and it proposes measures which must affect ma very serious manner the peace and welfare of the country. I ventiire to hope, Sir, that every member of this House will bring to its consideration a mind unbiased by prejudice and uninfluenced by passion, and that he will act upon it with sole and exclusive reference to its probable efiect upon the prosperity and welfare of our common country. I know how difficult it is to withstand the influence of habit and association, personal and political, upon our action here; but if there ever was an occasion when it was incumbent upon each one of us to do all in our power thus to emancipate ourselves from undue and improper influences, I think. Sir, that occasion is offered by the bill which now awaits oiu: action. When this Congress met, Sir, now seven months ago, the war against the rebellion had been closed for half a year. The President of the United States, exercising what he be Ueved to be his rightful authority as the chief Executive of the nation and Commander-in-C hief of its armies, had set in motion the machinery of government in the States where it had been suspended by rebellion. He had appointed Provisional Governors, by whom, under his authority. Conventions and Legislatures were summoned, and elections were held; and those Governors, Legislatures and Conventions,took steps to bring the States back to theiinormal condition, so far as exercising the power of self-government v. ..d concerned. When we met in December last but little remained to be done to complete the work of restoration. The temper of the people in the Southern States was that of submissive and loyal acquiescence in th
(Typographical errors above are due to OCR software and don't occur in the book.)