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Excerpt from Speech of Hon.: Columbus Delano, of Ohio, on the Political Condition of the States Lately in Rebellion; Delivered in the House of Representatives, February 10, 1866 The House having under consideration the Presidents message, as in Committee of the Whole on the state of the Union Mr. Delano said: Mr. Speaker: I propose to examine the following quesffon: what is the political condition of the States lately in rebellion? Fonr years and more of war has produced great changes in the social condition of the insurrectionary States, and has materially affected the political relations heretofore existing between them and other States of the Union. These mighty changes cast ujon us the momentous question which I propose to consider. The importance of this question has never been equaled by any subject presented to an American Congress since the formation of our Government. In my opinion, upon its proper solution depends not only the peace and prosperity, but the existence of our country. Differences of opinion in regard to the condition of these States and as to the bestmanner of restoring them to their normal condition in the Union, must be expected. These differences are not merely natural, but necessary. Our forefathers in forming this Government, and in framing the great fundamental law for its control, encountered like differences of sentiment hi regard to the great organic law which they had undertaken to make; but with a proper respect for the judgment of each other, and in a spirit of concession and conciliation, they entered upon their work, and accomplished itharmoniously. Let a like spirit animate this Congress. Let a proper apjireciation for honest differences among each other, or between ourselves and other departments of this Government, prevail Let us all be forbearing toward those from whom we ask a like exercise of charity, and I sincerely believe we shall be able to adjust the great measures before us, for the lest interest and with the appi-obation of our common constituents, in such a manner as to juake solid the foundations of our Government. Thus the present threatening clouds will pass away, and universal peace and harmony be restored. I propose to analyze the condition of public opinion upon this question as it seems to present itself in this House. First, there is a class of persons who insist that the insurrectionary States are not only in the LTnion, but that they are States in the fullest sense of the term, having a right to demand representation on this floor. I do not know whether this class is willing to admit Representatives still seething in treason and rebellion, whose hands are red withthelJloodof our slaughtered countrymen, who are yet unvilling to yield submissively to the great decisions of the war; but whether or not they are so willing I do not belong to this class of politicians.1 believe these States are in the Union and that they possess the right of local and domestic legislation; that their proper relation with other States has been so interrupted and changed as to deprive them of the absolute right to demand the admission of members to this floor without conditions and jjroper qualifications for membership. Secondly, it is insisted by another class that these States are dead, in the condition of conquered provinces, subject to be governed by Congress in all respects as any other Territory. I have no faith in this theory. I do not believe the States have been destroyed, nor that they may be held a conquered Territories, and I propose to lay before this House and the country, briefly as possible, myreasons for opposing this theory. The distinguished gentleman from Pennsylvania, Mr. Stevexs, in opening the debate upon this subject, announced the startling proposition that these States are dead! It was put forth, manifestly, as the theory which was to guide the majority of this House in their deliberations and legislation in the important ques, -tions of reconstruction.
