They, with their kindred Copperheads of the North, would always elect the President and control Congress. If impartial suffrage is excluded in the rebel States then everyone of them is sure to send a solid rebel representative delegation to Congress, and cast a solid rebel electoral vote. Possibly the people would not have inaugurated this revolution to correct the palpable incongruities and despotic provisions of the Constitution; but having it forced upon them, will they be so unwise as to suffer it to subside without erecting this nation into a perfect Republic? Now, you must divide them between loyalists, without regard to color, and disloyalists, or you will be the perpetual vassals of the free trade, irritated, revengeful South. Born to Joshua and Sarah (Morrill) Stevens, he was the second of four sons. No Government official, from the President and Chief Justice down, can do anyone act which is not prescribed and directed by the legislative power. thaddeus stevens reconstruction speech summary [Radical Republican Thaddeus Stevens was a Congressman from Pennsylvania and one of the primary champions of Congressional measures like the Civil Rights Act of 1866, the Fourteenth Amendment, and the Reconstruction Act of 1867. The same law which gives a verdict in a White mans favor should give a verdict in a black mans favor on the same state of facts. No said he , I claim the right to chastise the scoundrel. He followed the colored man, took out his revolver, and deliberately shot him dead in the presence of that community. In Territories Congress fixes the qualifications of electors; and I know of no better place nor better occasion for the conquered rebels and the conqueror to practice justice to all men, and accustom themselves to make and obey equal laws. . And yet I am amazed and alarmed at the impatience of certain well-meaning Republicans at the exclusion of the rebel States until the Constitution shall be so amended as to restrain their despotic desires. They were satisfied that the United States should maintain its old Constitution and laws. provinces will be prepared to participate in constitutional An ancient philosopher, whose antagonist admitted that what he required was just but deemed it impolitic, asked him: Do you believe in Hades? I would say to those above referred to, who admit the justice of human equality before the law but doubt its policy: Do you believe in heIl?. The Civil Rights Act became the first major piece of legislation to be passed despite a president's veto. Stevens had a long history of opposition to slavery and was outraged over the secession of the South. The freedom of a Government does not depend upon the quality of its laws, but upon the power that has the right to enact them. Thaddeus Stevens, "Reconstruction" Speech, September 6, 1865. In the States they form the great mass of the loyal men. But if full justice could not be obtained at once I would not refuse to do what is possible. They would merely misrepresent their constituents. Holding them like clay in the hands of the potter, we must see that no vessel is made for destruction. without a hut to shelter them or a cent in their pockets. Radical Reconstruction [ushistory.org] Since the conquest they have been governed by martial law. A colored man, driving the family of his employer, drove his wagon against a wagon containing Watson and his family. All Rights Reserved. Congress also prescribes the rules and regulations to govern the Army. He served on the Joint Committee on Reconstruction and chaired the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. The Southern territories could have non-voting representation, and it would be Congress, which would ensure that they could not exercise any power until Congress was convinced they would pose no further threat to the Union. . Courtesy Library of Congress (LC-BH83-613), (1849) Charles Sumner, Equality Before the Law: Unconstitutionality of Separate Colored Schools in Massachusetts, (1963) Malcolm X, Message to the Grassroots, African American History: Research Guides & Websites, Global African History: Research Guides & Websites, African American Scientists and Technicians of the Manhattan Project, Envoys, Diplomatic Ministers, & Ambassadors, Foundation, Organization, and Corporate Supporters. Some answer, Your civil rights bill [the Civil Rights Act of 1866] secures the same things. That is partly true, but a law is repealable by a majority. Stevens had a difficult childhood; in addition to growing up fatherless, he was poor and had a club foot. Thaddeus Stevens, (born April 4, 1792, Danville, Vermont, U.S.died August 11, 1868, Washington, D.C.), U.S. Do you avow the party purpose? Twenty years ago I denounced it as a despotism. The infernal laws of slavery have prevented them from This I take to be the great question between the President and Congress. I need not enumerate these partial and oppressive laws. He alone was willing to go where duty called though devils were as thick as the tiles on the houses. And Luther is the great luminary of the Reformation, around whom the others revolve as satellites and shine by his light. x\YF~W$cGGH-Ky41}@P v>~{"_-(LlQUQXkga_QU During the last century Russia has been blessed with most remarkable emperors, who have generally decreed wise and just laws, but Russia is not free. Thaddeus Stevens was a Republican congressman from Pennsylvania who became the face of the opposition to Abraham Lincoln and Andrew Johnson's lenient approach to the South after the Civil War. Stevens's Reconstruction efforts were resisted by President Andrew Johnson, which frustrated the congressman and prompted him to fight back against the president; Stevens introduced the resolution for President Johnson's impeachment and chaired the committee responsible for drafting impeachment articles.

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