Their policy, in short, seemed to have the interests of the guilty authors of the Rebellion more at heart than the safety of the Union.

Their efforts now to clothe the Southern conspirators with fresh power and to take no note of the crimes which had for four years drenched the land in blood, constituted an offense only less grave in the eyes of the Republicans than the…

The Republicans were resolved that their action should neither be misinterpreted by opposing partisans nor misunderstood by the people.

I do not ask their property or their blood; I do not wish to disgrace or degrade them; but I do wish that they shall not be permitted to disgrace, degrade or oppress anybody else.

I offer this bill as a measure of humanity, as a measure that the needs of that section of the country imperatively demand at our hands.

It is as extended and as immortal as the Republic itself, to that pledge we are solemnly bound; wherever our flag floats, as long as time endures, we must see that it is sacredly observed.

The performance of that pledge cannot be intrusted to another, least of all to the old slave-masters, embittered against their slaves.

The power that gives freedom must see that freedom is maintained.

No unmanly efforts to compromise, no weak shirking from duty, sullied the fame of the great body of senators and representatives.

The Republicans of 1866 were contending for a vastly greater stake,--for the sacredness of human rights, for the secure foundation of free government.

Their constancy was greater than that of the Whigs because the rights of person transcend the rights of property.

Was it not this, and this only?--that when it authorized a body other than itself, though constituted of the same members, a convention to choose a senator, that body must proceed in the choice of a senator according to the universally…

In a matter so directly affecting the interests and the feelings of the people of New Jersey it was certainly a hardship that the voice of the State was not heard.

In the decision itself, however, there has been general acquiescence, and it led to an important reform in the manner of choosing United-States senators.

Though it may not be perfect in all its details that law has done much to insure the fair and regular choice of senators.

The reluctance to interfere with the supposed or asserted rights of States had too long delayed the needful exercise of National power.

The change of view was important and led to far-reaching consequences.

But for the interposition of the National Government there was serious danger that thousands of them might be reduced to starvation.

To prevent them from sharing in the government while fighting to overthrow it, these allies of the Rebellion had by an amendment to the State constitution been disqualified from exercising the rights of citizenship.

Nevertheless, the creed of the Missouri Liberals, though little applicable outside their own borders, found an echo far beyond.

He did not think they could succeed by any such manoeuvre; but he believed it would commit Democracy to a new departure, and be a long stride in the direction of loyalty and good government.

Greeley's zealous and powerful advocacy had impressed it upon many minds as the true corner-stone of Reconstruction.

The readiness of Congress in responding to every application for the removal of disabilities was itself a generous amnesty.

The Fifteenth Amendment had irrevocably established the principle of equal suffrage.

With this practical advance, the demand of Liberalism did not leave room for any serious difference.