The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-10-26

ton, from which 1t appears that the t"ellsy-
> four northern or loyal states, which have
not been involved in the rebellion, are entitled
to 1874 members of the House OF Representa-
tives. These are all chosen, with the excep-
ton of three vacancies all of which will be
filed by Union men, and the classification will
stand, Union 143; Democratic Al making a
Union majority of 102-allowing the same
states to be represented that were in the last
Congress. The Senate viii stand, with the
same states represented, Union 80; Demo-
cratic. II.
Making the most liberal allowance for defec-
tons, and for timidity and weakness in stand
ing up to the principles on which the Union
party is based, it would seem from the aoove
figures that there is no ground to fear that the
country Is to be cheated of the just and iegiti-
mate and righteous fruits of the loyal blood
that has been shed, and the'treasure of loyal
men that has been expended, and the tolls
and suHerings that loyal people have expert
enced, to uphold the authority of the Govern
ment, to preserve our free institutions, to
make Liberty and Union one and inseparable,
and to put down and forever crush out wick
ed rebellion. We have unlimited faith in the
American Congress soon to assemble, whose
members have been elected during the bloodi-
est struggle known to history.
But some people, not well posted, we think,
have fears that the states lately in rebellion
will all crowd their Representatives into Con-
gress, and thai they, by combining with the
Democrats of the North, win have everything
their own way. The New York World,
which is perhaps the leading organ of the
present Democratic party, with degree of as
surance that almost challenges admiration, a
few days since put forth the following predic-
ton:
President johnson will, doubtless, before
Congress meets, proclaim all the recently in
surgent States restored to their former places
in the Union. The clerk of the House, there
fore, must put all the members-elect from these
States on his roll, if there be no contesting
members and he finds the former Regularly
elected in accordance with the laws of their
States, unless he is determined to refuse to rec
ogizs the inSurge7st States as States III The I'm
ion.
We apprehend this was put forth not SO
much from any conviction of its truthfulness
on the part Of the World, as for its supposed
effect upon the results Of the canvass in, the
Empire State" for the World adds: ssA
To provide against that contingency and to
strengthen the Presidents hands for the great
contest thereon to ensue, New York State must
express her views and instruct her representa-
tlyes by the election of the Democratic ticket.
Before noticing the absurdity of the Worlds
suggestion, that President johnson win as
c1zuoa dasrofio r1auyar IA GAMMA Aha 49,,
of the late insurgent states, it may not be I'M
interesting to state how the two Houses
would stand, politically, with the delegates
from the South admitted to seats in those
bodies. Tennessee and three districts in Lou
isiana some time since elected their Congress
men-the very men who win be admitted if
delegates are admitted at all from those states !;
and Of these eleven members seven are classi-
fed as Unionists, and four only as Democrats
The eleven late insurgent states can claim
So members Of the House. Allowing, there
fore, that all the remaining members shall
prove to be Democrats, the House would then
stand, Union $50; Democratic 92,. making a
Union majority of IS; while the Senate
would still retain at least 20 Unionl1najoIity.
1t is quite sure, however, that members have
been elected in Virginia who are not prepar-
ed to affiliate with northern Democrats, and it
is not presuming too much to say that more of
the same sort viii be elected in. North Caro-
lima, if not in other of the states lately in re-
volt rs6 M
The suggestion of the World that the Clerk
of the House will be required by his duty to.
enter upon the roll the names Of Representa-
tives from the Southern States, only betrays
in that paper gross ignorance of the usages
which govern the House. 1t would be against
precedent for the Clerk to enter upon his
roll delegates from states that had not been
entitled to representation in the preceding
Congress- Besides; under democratic au-
thority and rule, the Clerk of the House has
refused to enter upon the roll the names of
delegates with credentials bearing, the broad
seal Of the state, knowing their seats were to
be contested. This was done in the celebrat-
ed New Jersey case, in 1889; the Wing dele
gates having the Governors sealed credentials,
which a Democratic Clerk disregarded, and
Democratic House backed him in this disre-
gard, SO that neither the delegates nor the con-
testahts were allowed a voice in the organiza-
ton of the House. vasW
But there are other bars that win efiectually
guard the portals OF the House, with which
no man knows better than President johnson
that the Executive cannot interfere. The
Constitution expressly provides, that each
House shall be the judge of the elections, re-
turns and qualifications of its own members"
With this right no power outside has right
to interfere. 1t so happens that very impor-
tant joint resolution has been passed by Con
gress and approved by the President, which,
though referring primarily to another matter,
involves principle ofvast Importance to the
decisions Of the questions under considera-
ton; resolution which declares in spirit if
not In exact form, that the late rebel states are
not entitled to representation in the national
councils, and cannot be heard; and the Presi
dent is not competentto set aside the force and
spirit OF the resolution referred to. ar
On the 9Th Of February last the two Houses
OF Congress adopted preamble and resolu-
ton, which received the approval of President
lI-A4
Whereas the inhabitants andlocal authorities
q tne states OF Virginia, North Carolina,
south Carolina, Georgia Florida AJahaToa'
MMlsslsslppi, Louisiana, Texas, Arkansas and
1 nIenInesseel rebelled against the government of
ene 7 nlted States, and were in such condition
"a o1i me otn day Of November, 1854 that no val
10 election for electors of President and Vice
r tll Of the United States, according to
tne constitution and laws thereof, was held
therein on said day, therefore
Be it resolved by the Seno+a o,,1 rro,.ol of
Representatives of the United States of Amer
rca IN Congress assembled,
In t1 nat the States ment. lined in the preamble
.nls Joint resolution are not entitled to renre
of 'psson In the electoral college for The ap;ee
States e. and Vice President Of the United
the ar q, da the term of Office com1nencing on
votes shall %, Of March, 1866; and no electoral
.stateo conoo oe received or counted from said
Wce Pras;deing the choice Of President and
: -''1en' Tor said term Of oliice
NoASress having thus decided tbat oa,+o;,,