Evansville daily journal. (Evansville, Ind.) 1863-1866, 1864-01-21
The Powers or the Government
over RebelliOus States.
An Edoquent Vtndication of the
Prestdent's Policy.

In the House of Representatives, on
the 9th inst, during discussion of the
Presidents Message, Mr.. Isaac n. Ar
mold, of Illinois, delivered telling
speech on the powers of the Govern
ment over the rebellious States, and in
vindication of the Presidents Policy.
S Mr.. Arnold argued that, as we are on
the eve of universal emancipation,
where we can not go back. and must not
halt, slavery must die; and that the soon
er it dies the sooner we shall have peace;
and then proceeded to consider the ques-
tion. How shall slavery be extermina-
ted He answered the question thus :
&. First reply, in the border States,
by the action of the States themselves.
This action viii be speedy and decisive
"Second-In all the territory in re-
bellion slavery has been already SUBJ
-stantially abolished by the Proclamation
of Emancipation. Confirm by Congress
this proclamation by prohibiting its re-
establishment, andabolish it in that part
of the rebel States not included in the
proclamation.
j" Third-Slayery being thus every
where abolished, amend the Constitu-
ton, prohibit its re establishment or ex-
istence in every part of the United
States" ~
He claimed that the Government has
the power in time of war, as war
measure, to abolish slavery wherever and
whenever it may be necessary to secure
the success of the war; and contended
/ that, independent of all theories about
State suicide and Territorial condition,
the power to govern States in rebellion
and to re-establish Republican Govern
ments must exist somewhere, and that
the Executive and Congress actually
possess that power. He enforced this
argument as follows:
RowERs OF CONGRESS AND THE PRESIDENT.
&C call attention to the fact that there
is no Government in this rebel Terrific
ry, except the despotism of Jefferson
Davis There is no State Government
there There is no Republican Govern
ment there. The loyal citizens of that
part of the Union call upon us to fulfil
the Constitutional guaranty of giving to
them asrepublican form of Governments.
"Whatever it is necessary to do to ex-
ecute in their favor this constitutional
guaranty, Congress and the President
may rightfully do. The right to crush
armed resistance to the Constitution and
laws, and for Congress to make and the
| President to execute such laws as will
result in the establishment Of republi.
bean Government, is then clear. But
this right to coerce into subsection and
| govern, until obedience and loyalty
shall resume their sway, all Territory
and States in rebellion, is not left to in.
ference, nor is it dependent only on those
parts of the Constitution to which at
tention has already been called. The
Constitution also provides that icon
gress shall have power to provide fol
the common defense and the genera
welfare" -...,-a
Congress has also power to make al
laws which shall be necessary and prop
er for carrying into execution the fore
going powers, and all other powers vest
ed by this Constitution in the Govern
ment of the United States, or in any de
partment or officer thereof.
"Now, the President is an officer G
the United States, the Commander-ir
lsChief of its armies, and it is his duty t
suppress rebellion, repel invasion, an
maintain the Constitution everywhere il
| the Union, and carry out the guaranty
Z each State of republican form of lGo'
ernment; and this he is to do, when ne
cessary, by force, by war, subject to th
laws of war; and Congress has full pow
er to make all laws necessary and proI
er to- carry out and into full exeeutio
these war powers of the Governmen
including the wellestablished belligerer
right of emancipating slaves.
: THE EMANcIPATIoN OF SLAVES
"The Constitution provides that th
United States shall guarantee to ever
State in this Union republican form
government. Congress has the powt
, TO do everything necessary to make goo
| that guarantee. If the emancipation
slaves in the rebel States will tend to IL
establishment of republican form
government in the States in rebellio
who can deny the power to emancipat'
The government, so-ealled, existing {
, faetoint the Statesin rebellion, is in anita
I onism to the republican government Il
II Constitution requires the nation to qua
anty. 1t is the right and the duty of 4
Government to destroy that usurped al
q I - 1crefo kr,ya,.r. N, ant nd ccta