Mr. STEVENS. Mr. Speaker, several gentlemen have asked exultingly if anybody denies that this is a Republic, and that the States are republics. Sir, anything is a republic which you choose to ja republic. Rome was a republic under her worst consuls and emperors. They called it so. There have been republics everywhere in the midst of despotism..You Imay call what you choose a republic. What am to speak to now is the Republic intended by the DeclarIndep, and I deny that this Government has ever been such a republic; I deny that the State of Pennsylvania, to which reference was made, is a republic; and that is an answer to the gentleman; I wish this Congress would take it in hand and make it a republic. Now, what was the Republic contemplated by the DeclarIndep? “All men are created free and equal” and “all right ful government is founded on the consent of the governed.” Nothing short of that is the Republic intended by the Declaration. But we are now attempting to build a perfect Republic. We are now attempting to finish a structure whose foundations were laid nearly a century ago. That structure is the temple of liberty where aii nations may worship. Men who, ever there were demi gods deserved that name, suddenly appeared on the scene of political action the Adamses, Thomas Jefferson, and their compeers, and created an epoch in the science of government. Rejecting the old doctrine of hereditary succession and the divine right of kings, they boldly proclaimed the equality of the human race, and asserted that the right of all government was founded on the consent of the governed. Upon this Dec laration alone jthe American Revolution. The people then had no actual grievance which would justify the shedding of one drop of hu man blood. But they fought and bled for this sublime idea. In this sign they conquered. But when peace and security had come, and the several sovereignties attempted to “form a more perfect Union, ” they found themselves obstructed by a pernicious and unyielding institution in direct hostility to their avowed principles, and they were obliged to trust to time to eradicate it. They left the foundation firm, beautiful, and imperishable, and waited for the arrival of this propitious period to complete the super structure. What a glorious sight it were to look in upon this Hall and see those great men revived, rejuvenated occupying their seats and finishing their imperfect work, proclaiming universal liberty and equality to the human race! But that may not be. They have left this scene of action, as we soon shall, never to return. They enjoined upon their posterity to complete their labor. Are we that posterity or are we bastards? Are we the legitimate descendants of the men of the Revolution, or did some untutored horde of the dark ages break in and corrupt the progeny? If we fail to complete this superstructure in harmony with the foundation, we must be dwarfs in intellect or in moral courage. Gentlemen loudly ask is not this a Republic? I measure it by the DeclarIndep, as I did 20 years ago in }. this when I denounced it as a despotism. Call you that a free Republic where there are 20 million rulers and 4 million slaves human beings without one human right? SCarolina has 200,000 whites and 400,000 men of color. Both are men; both have immortal souls. The 200,000 absolutely rule the 400,000. They have no voice in anything connected with the government which rules them. Is this a Government deriving its force from the consent of the governed? Shame upon American statesmen, who in this day of their power hold such vile doctrine ! Do not delay, give us now the republic of the DeclarIndep, and let the world behold and admire. I would like to add a few things more, but am not well enough.