f the United States--within a
few days. If I had that advantage, I do not know what effect it might
have upon me. Not having it, I can not, of course, act upon it."

"In the remarks which I made," said Mr. Banks, "I made no allusion to
any negotiations with the President. I have had no negotiations with
the President of the United States, nor do I know his opinions, and in
the vote which I shall give upon this question, neither the gentleman
from Pennsylvania [Mr. Stevens] nor any other man has the right to
assume that I accept the policy of the Executive in the smallest
particular. I hope for a change of his position; I think that it is
not impossible. At all events, I think it is something which is worth
our while to try for."

The previous question was moved by Mr. Stevens; but a majority
refusing to second the motion, the discussion was continued.

Mr. Kasson denied the existence of a right in Congress "to establish a
military government over people who have been in insurrection." He
proposed as a substitute for the pending measure "A bill to establish
an additional article of war for the more complete suppression of the
insurrection against the United States." This provided for a division
of the rebel territory into military districts, as did the original
bill, and authorized commanders to declare martial law wherever it
should be necessary for the "complete suppression of violence and
disorder."

Mr. Ashley moved an amendment providing for the restoration to loyal
owners of property confiscated by the rebel government, and providing
that military government should cease so soon as the people of the
rebel States should adopt State constitutions securing to all citizens
equal protection of the laws, including the right of the elective
franchise, and should ratify the proposed amendment to the
Constitution.

Mr. Raymond thought that, on account of the great diversity of
opinion, the whole subject should be referred to a select committee,
who should be instructed to report within three or four days a bill
which should "provide temporarily for the protection of rights and the
preservation of the peace in the States lately in rebellion, and also
for the speedy admission of those States to their relations in the
Union upon the basis of the Constitutional Amendment." Thus he hoped a
result could be reached which "would command the support of Congress
and of the country, and the approval, or at least the assent, of t