Mr. SPALDING. Mr. Speaker, the report of the committee has elicited in this House a most searching criticism. It is approved and disapproved, either wholly or in art, according to the views entertained by e particular individuals who have obtained the floor. It does not, in all respects, come up to the standard which my imerfect judgment had erected, but I have live long enough to know that very few things of a.public character can be accomplished without some abiicgation of ones own notions of propriety and a respectful deference to the opinions of others. The JtComReconstruction was made up of able and patriotic men. They havelabored assiduously for nearly 6 months, and have now given to us the result of their deliberations in certain proposed amendments of the Constitution, and sundry propositions for legislative enactment. Regarding it as more in ortant that some definite projet be presented Congress to the people of the U.S. than that the plan itse f approach very nearly to perfection, and fearing the effect of amendments upon the successful passage of the measures proposed through Congress, I have brought my mind to the conclusion that I shall best subserve the cause of patriotism and the countrys good by voting severally and collectively for the measures reported by the committee. We are in the process of legislation to bring back into the councils of the nation a class of citizens who during the last 5 years have avowed the most inveterate hostility to our Government and its free institutions, and who have waged a most cruel war against our people upon the battle field. Does any sane man believe that the loyal people of the U.S. who have submitted to these great sacrifices, who have incurred the risk of losing the benefit of the free institutions handed down to them by our fathers, who have, by the bra very of their sons, put down this accursed rebellion upon the battle field; I say, does an reflecting man suppose that we are so here t of our senses as to admit these same men, “without it why or a wherefore” into the Halls of Congress to make laws or our government, and the government of our fellow citizeus at home, who are quite as loyal as ourselves? Sir, it is idle to say that any sane man expects it. It seems to me that the only question for our consideration is, what uaran tees may Congress exact from this reellious people a people who not only fought us, but who declared time and again that they detested our principles of government, and that they would sooner unite with the monarchies of GreatBritain and France than live under our free Government with the race theyin derision termed “the Yankees?” It has been said in high places that treason was the greatest of crimes, and that it should be made known for the benefit of all comin generations, and as an example to the civilized world that traitors would surely be punished. We have heard it said by those in authority that the leading traitors should be tried and hung, while the infatuated rank and file might be pardoned. That is very well; but I would inquire, what leading traitors have been hung? What leading traitor has been hung? What leading traitors or what leading traitor will be hun I