The Reconstruction debate continued for a long time and many able speeches were contributed to it.

While much of value was added to that which Mr.Shellabarger had stated, no position taken by him was ever shaken.
Mr.Raymond had asked repeatedly and with great emphasis _what specific act_ had deprived these rebellious States of their rights as States of the Union.

Mr.Shellabarger gave an answer to that question, which, as a caustic summary, is worthy to be quoted in full.

"I answer him," said the member from Ohio, "in the words of the Supreme Court, 'The causeless waging against their own Government of a war which all the world acknowledge to have been the greatest civil war known in the history of the human race.' That war was waged by these people as States, and it went through long, dreary years.

In it they threw off and defied the authority of your Constitution, your laws, and your Government.