Stevens, who led the Radical faction in the House, along with Charles Sumner in the Senate, were determined both to ensure that the sacrifices made during the Civil War were not wasted by handing power back to the same Southern politicians who had driven secession forward four years earlier and to see that the freedmen's civil rights, including the right to vote, were guaranteed. ?)(qUC Without it all are sure to be ruled by traitors; and loyal men, black and white, will be oppressed, exiled, or murdered. They, with their kindred Copperheads of the North, would always elect the President and control Congress. representation among the States from Federal numbers to Link couldn't be copied to clipboard! Then each House must judge whether the members They must suffer constant persecution or be exiled. In . without a hut to shelter them or a cent in their pockets. . With them the blacks would act in a body; and it is believed that in each of said States, except one, the two united would form a majority, control the States, and protect themselves. Image 3 of Speech of Hon. Thaddeus Stevens, Speech in favor of black suffrage, House of Representatives, January 3, 1867. Inaugurated on a cold March day 1853. But finding other cemeteries limited as to race by charter rules, I have chosen this that I might illustrate in my death the principles which I advocated through a long life, equality of man before his creator.". He composed his own epitaph, which reads, "I repose in this quiet and secluded spot, not for any natural preference for solitude. % The 1857 Dred Scott decision in the. No sane man believed that they had any organic or municipal laws which the United States were bound to respect. of contract, or of managing the ordinary business of life. He and his minions shall learn that this is not a Government of kings and satraps, but a Government of the people, and that Congress is the people. To Stevens, the procedure by which a territory becomes a state was the logical blueprint for this process. . That decision has taken away every protection in everyone of these rebel States from every loyal man, black or white, who resides there. 3 which possibly now, on looking at it, I might deem intemperate, but which I then deemed necessary to rouse the public attention and cast odium upon the worst institution upon earth:. Thaddeus Stevens on black suffrage, 1867 From speech of Thaddeus Stevens (R-Pa) in the House of Representatives, January 3, 1867. Instead of seeking the quick reconciliation that Lincoln and Johnson promoted, Stevens was comfortable both with the process of Southern reintegration taking years and with Congress being the final arbiter of when each Southern state could rejoin the nation. On May 8, 1866, Thaddeus Stevens delivered this speech introducing the Fourteenth Amendment in the U.S. House of Representatives. Since the conquest they have been governed by martial law. I waive now the question of punishment which, if we are wise, will still be inflicted by moderate confiscations, both as a reproof and example. law. ( Thaddeus Stevens, speech to Congress, March 19 1867). Though Commander- in-Chief by the Constitution, he would have nothing to command, either by land or water, until Congress raised both Army and Navy. The Candidates in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Race, Your Privacy Choices: Opt Out of Sale/Targeted Ads, Name: Thaddeus Stevens, Birth Year: 1792, Birth date: April 4, 1792, Birth State: Vermont, Birth City: Danville, Birth Country: United States. This is a bill designed to enable loyal men, so far as I could discriminate them in these States, to form governments which shall be in loyal hands, that they may protect themselves from such outrages as I have mentioned. He was the second son born to Sarah and Joshua Stevens, who disappeared when his son was a young boy, leaving his wife and children to fend for themselves with very little money. Image Details The Joint Committee on Reconstruction proposed a constitutional amendment to address issues in Southern states. Thaddeus Stevens was a leading Radical Republican who championed such Reconstruction measures as harsh punishment for Confederate leaders and a strong federal role in reconstructing the governments of the former Confederate states and in ensuring equal rights for all in the south. As an important member of the new Republicans, Stevens became actively involved in the Underground Railroad, helping runaway slaves escape to Canada. There are those who admit the justice and ultimate utility of granting impartial suffrage to all men, but they think it is impolitic. Ooops. proper for them as territorial governments. 251-252. Whose especial duty is it to do it? Title Thaddeus Stevens Papers: Speeches and Writing File, 1835-1868; 1865; Names Stevens, Thaddeus, 1792-1868 Call you this a free Republic where four millions are subjects but not citizens? A colored man, driving the family of his employer, drove his wagon against a wagon containing Watson and his family. Now different degrees of punishment are inflicted, not on account of the magnitude of the crime, but according to the color of their skin. The film claims that it was "Based in Part on Team of Rivals: The Political Genius of Abraham Lincoln . Now they are the victims of daily murder. Astrological Sign: Aries, Death Year: 1868, Death date: August 11, 1868. Military rule is necessarily despotic, and ought not to exist longer than is absolutely necessary. Biography and associated logos are trademarks of A+E Networksprotected in the US and other countries around the globe. Within the broad limits of those eleven States the confederate States had as perfect and absolute control as the United States had over the other twenty-five. Against our will they have been absent for four bloody years; against our will they must not come back until we are ready to receive them. Nearly six years ago a bloody war arose between different sections of the United States. Whatever law allows the white man to testify in court shall allow the man of color to do the same. Since the conquest they have been .I need not depict the ruin that would follow. And yet certain of our distinguished friends propose to admit State after State before this becomes a part of the Constitution. Start your constitutional learning journey. In 1848, a third party called the Free Soil Party formed to highlight opposition to extending slavery into western territories that had not yet organized as states. They were subject to the controlling power of the conquerors. As there are no symptoms that the people of these provinces will be prepared to participate in constitutional government for some years, I know of no arrangement so proper for them as territorial governments. I know they had fewer rulers and more subjects, but those rulers were no more despotic than ours, and their subjects had just as large privileges in governing the country as ours have. The President is for exonerating the conquered rebels from all the expense and damages of the war, and for compelling the loyal citizens to pay the whole debt caused by the rebellion. All Rights Reserved. Johnson's policies allowed many former Confederates to regain political power. . The law has nothing to do with it. It means, as understood by honest Republicans, just this much, and no more: every man, no matter what his race or color; every earthly being who has an immortal soul, has an equal right to justice, honesty, and fair play with every other man; and the law should secure him these rights. Of course the rebels claimed no such rights; for whether their States were out of the Union as they declared, or were disorganized and out of their proper relations to the Government, as some subtle metaphysicians contend, their rights under the Constitution had all been renounced and abjured under oath, and could not be resumed on their own mere motion. How difficult in a day to unlearn it. Thaddeus Stevens April 4, 1792 - August 11, 1868. It is obvious from all this that the first duty of In failing health, Stevens had requested to be buried in Shreiner-Concord Cemetery in Lancaster, Pennsylvania, because the state accepted all races. If we fail in this great duty now, when we have the power, we shall deserve and receive the execration of history and of all future ages. Citizens replaced the foundations of slavery that formerly supported Southern states . How do you answer the principle inscribed in Our political scripture, That to secure these rights governments are instituted among men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed? 13 Without such consent government is a tyranny, and you exercising it are tyrants. That short delay would not be injurious. But this step forward is an assault upon ignorance and prejudice, and timid men shrink from it. provinces will be prepared to participate in constitutional Thaddeus studied at Caledonian Secondary School in Vermont, entered the University of Vermont, but was suspended in the second year and entered Dartmouth College to study law-related studies and delivered the commencement speech as a commencement speaker at the 1814 . Any exception to this rule has been a work of grace in Congress by passing healing acts. <> . I know of no Republican who does not ridicule what Mr. Seward thought a cunning movement, in counting Virginia and other outlawed States among those which had adopted the constitutional amendment abolishing slavery. It were better for the black man if he were governed by one king than by twenty million. Not in the judicial branch of Government, for it only adjudicates and does not prescribe laws. In we had better have left them in bondage. Born to Joshua and Sarah (Morrill) Stevens, he was the second of four sons. Following the Civil War, Stevens served on the Joint Committee on Reconstruction and played an important role in drafting both the 14th Amendment and the Reconstruction Act of 1867. 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. They have torn their constitutional States into atoms, and built on their foundations fabrics of a totally different character. Early in his career, he developed a hatred for bondage and, subsequently, defended many fugitives without charging them legal fees. He is determined to force a solid rebel delegation into Congress from the South, and, together with Northern Copperheads, could at once control Congress and elect all future Presidents. The wagon of Watson was broken. The next day Watson went to the employer of the colored man and complained. And I need hardly say that the first time that the South with their copperhead allies obtain the command of Congress it will be repealed. 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. With other Radical Republicans, he agitated for emancipation, black fighting units, and black suffrage. Beyond this I do not agree that the policy of the parties are defined. He might have extended the laws of his empire over them, allowed them to retain portions of their old institutions, or, by conditions of peace, have fixed upon them new and exceptional laws. Suppose the Government were now to be organized for the first time under the Constitution, and the President had been elected and the judiciary appointed: what could either do until Congress passed laws to regulate their proceedings? Thus much I have said at the outset of my remarks, which shall not be very long. There are several good reasons for the passage of this bill [Military Reconstruction Act]. 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. . %PDF-1.5 The two powers mutually prepared to settle the question by arms. To those white leaders, voting rights for the freedmen, as advocated by Radical Republicans, were out of the question. . Now, Mr. Speaker, unless Congress proceeds at once to do something to protect these people from the barbarians who are now daily murdering them; who are murdering the loyal whites daily and daily putting into secret graves not only hundreds but thousands of the colored people of that country; unless Congress proceeds at once to adopt some means for their protection, I ask you and every man who loves liberty whether we will not be liable to the just censure of the world for our negligence or our cowardice or our want of ability to do so? 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. Southern pride would not long brook a hopeless minority. The former course would show valor and folly; the latter moral and physical courage, as well as prudence and wisdom. Not in the Commander-in-Chief of the armies, for .he can only hold them under military rule until the sovereign legislative power of the conqueror shall give them law. He desires that the traitors (having sternly executed that most important leader, Rickety Weirze,7 as a high example) should be exempt from further fine, imprisonment, forfeiture, exile, or capital punishment, and be declared entitled to all the rights of loyal citizens. . The commander of an army who should find his enemy intrenched on impregnable heights would act unwisely if he insisted on marching his troops full in the face of a destructive fire merely to show his courage. The infernal laws of slavery have prevented them from acquiring an education, understanding the common laws of contract, or of managing the ordinary business of life. To my mind it is either the most ignorant and shallow mistake of his duties, or the most brazen and impudent usurpation of power. Have not loyal blacks quite as good a right to choose rulers and make laws as rebel whites? But if full justice could not be obtained at once I would not refuse to do what is possible. Thaddeus Stevens, "Reconstruction" Speech, September 6, 1865. Delivered only seven months after the war ended and on the same day that the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished slavery, went into effect, Stevens's speech represented the view of a group in Congress known as the Radical Republicans. Do you avow the party purpose? Another good reason is, it would insure the ascendancy of the Union party. While every effort has been made to follow citation style rules, there may be some discrepancies. Under such governments, while electing members to the territorial Legislatures, they will necessarily mingle with those to whom Congress shall extend the right of suffrage. As the nation edged toward Civil War, Stevens, now living in Pennsylvania, was elected to Congress in 1849 as an antislavery Republican. The 19th Amendment: How Women Won the Vote. Sarah Stevens took care of the farm and raised four Stevens brothers. Two years after moving to Pennsylvania, Stevens was admitted to the bar and began practicing in Gettysburg. . The employer offered to pay Watson every dollar that he might assess for the damage that had been done. They ought never to be recognized as capable of The leader of the Radical Republicans in the House, Stevens was a lawyer, politician, and staunch abolitionist. In Territories Congress fixes the qualifications of In 1868, he led the charge to impeach Johnson, who was narrowly acquitted in the Senate. A few moments may be profitably spent in seeking the meaning of each of these terms. The first of those amendments is to change the basis of representation among the States from Federal numbers to actual voters. We . 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. In opposition to these things, a portion of Congress seems to desire that the conquered belligerent shall, according to the law of nations, pay at least a part of the expenses and damages of the war; and that especially the loyal people who were plundered and impoverished by rebel raiders shall be fully indemnified. He focused much of his political attention on civil rights, eventually helping to draft the 14th Amendment. He desires that the States created by him shall be acknowledged as valid States, while at the same time he inconsistently declares that the old rebel States are in full existence, and always have been, and have equal rights with the loyal States. Call Us Today! The short time allowed by our resolution will suffice to introduce this debate. He must ask leave of Congress. Image Details The Joint Committee on Reconstruction, comprising members from the House and Senate, gathered testimony on conditions in the South from 144 witnesses. rebellion. It is claimed for him by some as the Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy. Hearst Magazine Media, Inc. Site contains certain content that is owned A&E Television Networks, LLC. If it be just, it should not be denied; if it be necessary, it should be adopted; if it be a punishment to traitors, they deserve it. We know Thaddeus Stevens as an ardent abolitionist who championed the rights of blacks for decadesup to, during, and after the Civil War. ern members, with the Democrats that will in the best times .css-m6thd4{-webkit-text-decoration:none;text-decoration:none;display:block;margin-top:0;margin-bottom:0;font-family:Gilroy,Helvetica,Arial,Sans-serif;font-size:1.125rem;line-height:1.2;font-weight:bold;color:#323232;text-transform:capitalize;}@media (any-hover: hover){.css-m6thd4:hover{color:link-hover;}}The Candidates in the 2024 U.S. Presidential Race, Sen. John Fetterman Wants to Talk About Depression, 6 Key Players in Donald Trumps Indictment, The Story of President Ulysses S. Grants Arrest, Dianne Feinstein: 10 Issues She Has Worked On, What We Know About Mitch McConnells Fall. 3 0 obj I can hardly believe that any person can be found who will not admit that every one of these provisions is just. of Thaddeus Stevens, Vol.

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