ck
occupied a few minutes in advocating his proposition.

On the other hand, Mr. Benjamin, of Missouri, objected to the
substitute as greatly to the detriment of Missouri, since it would
reduce her representation in Congress from nine to four, because she
has endeavored to place the Government in loyal hands by
disfranchising the rebel element of that State. In doing this, she had
disfranchised one-half her voters.

The previous question having been called, Mr. Stevens made the closing
speech of the protracted discussion. In the opening of his speech, Mr.
Stevens said: "It is true we have been informed by high authority, at
the other end of the avenue, introduced through an unusual conduit,
that no amendment is necessary to the Constitution as our fathers made
it, and that it is better to let it stand as it is. Now, sir, I think
very differently, myself, for one individual. I believe there is
intrusted to this Congress a high duty, no less important and no less
fraught with the weal or woe of future ages than was intrusted to the
august body that made the Declaration of Independence. I believe now,
if we omit to exercise that high duty, or abuse it, we shall be held
to account by future generations of America, and by the whole
civilized world that is in favor of freedom, and that our names will
go down to posterity with some applause or with black condemnation if
we do not treat the subject thoroughly, honestly, and justly in
reference to every human being on this continent."

That the above paragraph may be understood, it will be necessary to
state that the President of the United States himself had taken part
in the discussion of the measure pending before Congress. The "unusual
conduit" was the telegraph and the press--the means by which his
opinions were given to Congress and the public. The President's
opinions were expressed in the following paper, as read by the Clerk
of the House, at the request of several members:

"The following is the substance of a conversation which took
place yesterday between the President and a distinguished
Senator, as telegraphed North by the agent of the Associated
Press:

"The President said that he doubted the propriety at this
time of making further amendments to the Constitution. One
great amendment had already been made, by which slavery had
forever been abolished within the limits of the United
States, and a national guarantee