The Senator insists constantly upon foisting an unconstitutional idea in the way of establishing Emancipation throughout this country.

Why, then, interpose an obstacle by an untenable and erroneous interpretation of the Constitution?

I will not recognize the Rebellion to such extent; I will not recognize the independence of the Rebel States, as the Senator does.

I insist, Sir, that these States shall not control the National Government at this moment, in this great period of our history, and thwart the establishment of human freedom throughout the land.

I have never said that any act of secession took a State out.

No act of secession can take a State out of this Union.

Whatever may be attempted, the State continues under the Constitution of the United States, subject to all its requirements and behests.

The Government of the State is subverted by secession; the Senator does not recognize the existing Government as legal or constitutional, any more than I do.

There is no Government which he or I recognize; but we do hold that the whole region, the whole territory, is under the Constitution, to be protected and governed by it.

Then I desire to ask the Senator, if the loyal men in one of those States acquiesce in the Constitution presented here, are they not entitled to govern the State under it?

If the loyal men, white and black, recognize it, then it will be republican in form.

President, I desire to ask the Senator if the Congress of the United States can interfere with the right of suffrage in one of the American States of this Union.

No Government failing to guaranty these things can be recognized as republican in form, when the United States are called to enforce the constitutional guaranty.

To secure national supremacy, you must have the aid of State authority.

For legitimate State authority you must rely upon the loyal voters.

He says the loyal men must form the Government, and we should recognize that Government; and yet he insists upon a mere oligarchy forming it, and an oligarchy of the skin.

It was the failure of loyal citizens to vote that did the damage.

Allow me to ask the Senator, whether, in his opinion, the Ordinance governing the Northwest Territory, prohibiting Slavery, and declared to be a perpetual compact, could be set aside by any one of the States formed out of the Territory now.

The Senator, then, thinks Ohio can enslave a fellow-man?

What I mean to say is this,--and I am sure the honorable member will not be able successfully to controvert it, certainly not by authority,--that there is no difference between the State of Massachusetts and any other State in the Union…

I mean to say that the State of Massachusetts has no power to do an act of wrong,--no power constitutionally, morally, politically, or in any way.

Provided, That this shall not take effect, except upon the fundamental condition that within the State there shall be no denial of the electoral franchise, or of any other rights, on account of color or race, but all persons shall be equal…

I shall regard its passage as a national calamity.

It will be the political Bull Run of this Administration, sacrificing a great cause and the great destinies of the Republic.

The question between the Senator from Illinois and myself is simply this: he wishes to pass the measure, and I do not wish to pass it.