Mr. STEVENS. I have seen enough in this House, and have heretofore noted its demoralization, to doubt if there is enough of the spirit of the party that sent us here to carry out the will of the people and perfect the legislation they expected from us. I have, therefore, no sanguine hope that this bill is to be forced upon the country or upon the gentleman. There are words and letters in this bill from the 1st letter of the alphabet to the final one to which some of my friends object and carp at. I am quite sure, as I was when the last bill upon reconstruction was before this House, that its recommitment to the committee would be to send it to its grave. That was a civil bill, posing civil governments. It was objection able, I know not why, for no amendments were proposed, except those of the Gentfrom Ohio, which were withdrawn; but the bill itself was objectionable to a very large number of gentlemen, and it was sent to the tomb of the Capulets. We have attempted now to provide something that will give protection to the people of the southern States and prevent the murders, robberies, and slavery there, until we can have time to frame civil government more in conformity with the genius of our institutions. I know not whether it is the desire of this House to pass any such bill or whether they F. to disperse and go home and leave the resident triumphant. I am quite sure that much of the opposition on both sides of this House comes from a modification of views coinciding with the President, and that his arguments have convinced many gentlemen that his theory is the true one. I have yet to learn to what extent this has prevailed, and after the previous question has been voted upon I shall be more satisfied whether it is worth while to proceed further in this attempt by Congress to resist the power of the president, or whether it is our duty, like humble Christians, to submit to the powers which have conquered us and allow the southern States to remain in their Present condition. I trust the previous question will be sustained.