no sweetness in revenge which can justify a continuance of
such a condition of things.

The conservative masses of the country, sooner or later,
will protest against it. The dominant party cannot expect
to deal with whole communities as with individuals. They
cannot coerce a whole people into relations of amity and
friendship. They may make them friends by kindness and
fair dealing, but not by injustice and oppression. They may
annihilate them by their power; but humanity would hardly
uphold any party in a return to the barbaric ages, in a policy
of extermination.

President Johnson has brought this work of reconstruction
to the last point of consummation. Step by step he has
steadily persevered in his plan of peace and reconstruction,
with no single violation of the Constitution, so far as I am
capable of forming an opinion. In the act of completing his
great work—of riveting the last link in the circle—he is met
by the conflicting and indefinite plans of Congress.

I do not propose to pursue this argument. The responsi-
bility is now with Congress, who may at any time adjust the
relations between the States, and bring harmony to the coun-
try by the admission of loyal Representatives. The power is
with her, and I trust she may not forget the momentous con-
sequences involved in her action.

Congress is the recognized arbiter of the qualifications of
its own members. If the apprehension of renewed disloyalty
is still expected to re-animate the prostrate people of the
South, why may she not say to the Southern States whose
Representatives are without the requisite qualifications upon
her standard, send us loyal men and we will admit them.
This would settle the question at once; the power is in her
own hands, and so has resided from the origin of this contro-
versy. The South can really give no substantial guarantees
that she has not already given. We asked for the abolish-
ment of slavery—she conceded it. We asked for a repudia-
tion of the debt contracted during the rebellion—this she con-
ceded also. Now we are told that further guarantees are to
be secured, while she is weak and powerless and at our mercy.

But where is this contest to end and what are the people
to gain by it?

We have just terminated one of the most stupendous con-
flicts that has ever marked the progress of a people, either in
ancient or modern times. This nation wants repose, and still
more does she want the co-operation of her whole people, in
her return to the arts of peace. The Southern States—so im-
portant in the geographical position which they occupy, and
their productive power and resources, are now awaiting the
action of Congress. Their great staples in times past, have