Daily State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1865-09-12
From the y. Y. World.

From the y. \. World.
We will preface what NE have to ssy on this |
subject by one or two remarks on the following |
resolution offered by Andrer johnson. at the |
called session. in 1861, and passed by him With |
much resistance:
Resolved by the Senate, That the present de |
ploIable civil war has been forced upon the coun
try bv the disrnionists Of the Southern States, |
now in arms against The Constitutional Govern
ment, and in arms around the capital; that in
this national emergency, Congress, banishing ali
feelings of mere passion or resentment will re-
collect only its duty to the whole country: and
that this war is not waged OIL their part in any
spirit of oppression, or for any purpose of con-
quest or subjngaIion, or purpose Of overthrow
ing or interfering With the rights or established
institutions of those States, but TO defend and
maintain the supremacy of she Constitution. and
70 preserve the Union with all the dignity. equa
lily and ri ghts of the several States unimpared;
and that as soon as these objects are accomplish
ed the ought to cease
The last lines of this resolution define the ob
ect for which the military power of the Union
called into requsitiOn, and the terminus a.
which IL ought, in the then opinion of Mr..
Johnson, 10 be laid down. The President has
often declared that he stands by his antece
dents, that il would be doing him injustice to
suppose be intends to ALLURE an opinion ex
pressed in a manner so formal. with an emphs
as so solemn, aud having such direct relation to
the particular stage in affairs at which he be-
comes the chief actor.
The objects for which Mr Johnson declare
that recourse was bad TO the military power OF
the Union, sre three in number; the first two oil
which have already been attained, but the third
not yet. Tho three are these:.
4 The supremacy OF the Constitution.
2. The preservation of the L nion
The unimpared equality VI she re- era
States
The 6rst two Of these purposes having been
accomplished President johnson has disbanded
a large portion OF the army; and TO judge him by
his own words, tho warlike powers which he
continues 10 exercise are exerted only as a mean.
of experimenting aud usurng the accomplish
ment of the third and final END of the war, which
IS the restoration OF the States to condition OF
unimpsired dignity and equality. This done, be
is bound by his own declarations, TO relinQuish
all powers not exercised in state Of peace.
It ia always OF advantage to keep the end
clearly in view, and 20 make is s criterion for
judg ing OF the means adopted for it's furtherance
IL the unmpsired equality of the States is the
only remaining purpose for which military au-
shorty continues to be used. il is clear that the
war power cannot he employed to break down
State equality.
The Radicals are trying to spur the Presi-
dent TO suovert that equality OF the States. which
as Senator he declared is the final object OF the
war to restore unimpaired. Blu. logic, states.
manship. aud common sense are all on the side
of the President-suppo.ing the President 10
stand by the position OF the Senator.
II there is any proposition relating to our led
eral system which may be considered ncon-
rovertible. il 10 this that the States in the Union
are equal in dignity and rights. There are some
subjects Of which it may be difficult to define the
precise qusntum Of power which the States have
given up to the Federal Government. or retain for
themselves but wherever the dividing line may
be drawn between State and Federal powers, it il
certain that whatever powers are retained by one
state. are equally retained by all. This results
from the single instrument of surrender, without
any nice inquiry into the meaning OF its particu
lar clauses The Constitution declares that all
powers not by i, delegated to the General Govern
ment, nor by il prohibited to the States, are re-
served. Now, the delegations of power. aud the
prohibitions of power. being made in language
which includes all the States alike. there is no
means Of proving that any particular power does,
or DOES not. belong 10 a State which does not
equally prove that it belongs to all, or to none
Whatsaer may DE the true Interpretation Of the
Constitution. il would be the height of aosurdity
10 mskethe same language mean different things
There Is nothing in the Constitution which ap
plies any more 10 one State than to another, the
very same words being used with reference 10
all
The equality ofthe State. being thus undeni-
ably established. the whole ground Is cut away
from under the Radicals. They have nothing
LETT to stand upon. Nothing can rightfuly be
demanded OF any State which il not enforced
upon every other. Ii Vermont or Illinois deter
mines Tor itself the question OF suffrage. so must
South Carolina or Arkansas. Ii New York
makes what regulations she pleases in regard to
the admission OF negroes to the bsllot-box, so
must Virginia This results from the fact tbs,
The surrenders OF power made by Virginia 10 the
Federal Govern meat Gre granted in precisely the
same terms as the surreLdefs made by New York
namely. IN the Language of the Constitution
The qualifications for Federal Senators aud Re
personalities are defined in the Constitution,
aud they are the same for every State Repre-
sentatives must be twenty five years OF age, and
have been seven years citizens OF the [ aited
Ststes: Senators thirty years of age and zine
years citizens and both. before taking their seats
must take an oath 10 support the Constitution
II these qualifications and the regulsrit, of the
election are the only points inquired into 70
speeding the qualifications OF members from
"a Massachusetts,. the inquiry must be limited the
same points ia reference 10 members from Ms
sssippi. inasmuch IS all The States stand upon
perfectly equal footing
The difference between President Johnson and
the Radicals 10, At bottom, difference to
-sethsr The States are equal. Aimit the Union
10 be indissoluble. admit that the Southern
States are s,ill in the Unios. and arguments for
the Presidents position are Of overwhelming and
irresistible force. According 70 Mr. Jehn.on.
the only proper employment of the military
authority is in restoring What The Radicals insis,
be shall use IL TO destroy. viz "animpsIred dig
nifty, equality. and rights of The States
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