American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1864-03-30
Condition of the Rebel states.


We have received a correct copy of the
resolutions on the above subject recently
introduced in the House of Representa-
tives by Hon. Thomas Williams, member
of Congress from the 23d district of this
State. They are as follows:
Resolced, That the existing rebellion
between the Union and the rebel States
constitutes a condition of public war, with
all the consequences attaching thereto un-
der the law of nature and of nations.
Resolced, That the appeal of the rebel
States from the jurisdiction of the ordina-
ry tribunals established by the Constitu-
ton to the arbitrament Of the sword has
not, however, withdrawn the case beyond
the purview of the Constitution, which,
in conferring the war power ON the Gen
eral Government, has made the law of war
the rule of conduct in the prosecution and
adjustment of the pending controversy.
ResolUed, That while the rebel States
are by that law and by the solemn recog-
milton thereof in the proclamation made
by the President of the United States on
the 10th day of August, 4. D., 1861, un-
der and in pursuance Of the authority
conferred on him by the act of Congress
of the 18th of July of the same year, in
terdicting all commercial intercourse be-
tween their citizens and those of the 10y
al States in the attitude of belligerents,
and outside of the Union as States by
construction of law as well as in point Of
fact and have thereby either abdicated or
forfeited their rights to membership there
in, the jurisdiction and powers of the
Government over their territory and citi-
zens continue unimpaired, and the latter
are still amenable to the law and the iu-
dicial tribunals of the United States for
their treason and other crimes against the
same.
Resolyed, That so long as those States
continue under the armed occupation of
the forces of the United States employed
in suppressing the rebellion against its au-
thority, the local laws are necessarily sub
ordinated, and the functions of the civil
authorities so far suspended therein as to
prevent the exercise of all the rights ari-
sing out of their relations to this Govern
ment, and to disable them from electing
members of either branch of Congress, or
electors for the choice o6a President of
the United States
ReSo5ged, That the occupation of these
States by the armed forces of the United
States, either under military commanders
or provisional governors appointed by the
Executive, resting for its lawfulness upon
the condition of insurrection existing
therein, is purely military one, and
ought to determine with the necessity
which produced it.
. ResOiUed, That as soon as the rebellion
is suppressed in any Of the revolving States
by the leconquest and occupation thereof
by the armies of the United States, and
the same are so tranquilized as to furnish
adequate assurance againstthe recurrence
of disturbance therein, it will become the
duty of the President to communicate the
fact to Congress in order that it may take
the proper measures for the reorganization
of the civil governments and the rc-estab-
lishment of the civil iunctionaries therein,
and prescribe. such terms as it may deem
wise and proper and consistent with the
public safety for the readmission of those
districts as States of this Union.
Resolced That it is the exclusive right
of the legislative power of the Govern
ment to say upon what terms those Terri
tories shall be allowed to return to the
Union; and that in the adjustment of the
existing controversy in the government
ad interim of the reconquered territory,
and in the arrangement of the terms of re-
organization and readmission, it will be
within their competency to punish trea-
son of individuals and provide indemnity
for the expenses of the war and security
against any future outbreak of the like
kind by removing the causes and confs-
eating absolutely the property and estate
of the guilty authors and abetters thereof
Mr.. Williams proposes to debate these
resolutions, they went over under the rules.
From the great care with which they are
drawn, and the well known ability of Mr..
Williams, we anticipate political sensa-
ton when the speech in their defense is
delivered-PHsbwyh Gazette.