The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1866-12-13

W alstrlctS, as States alone can be
divided. The same recognition ap-
pears in the recent Legislation in
reference to Tennessee, which evi.
dently rests upon the fact that the
! functions of the State were not de.
strPyed by the rebellion, but mere,
ly suspended and that principle is
ofeourse applicable to those States
which, like Tennessee, attempted
to Tenounce their places in the
] Union. ro r, r.'-. ..,I..t q.
The action Of the Executive De.
:. partment of the Government upon
this subject has been equally def.
niEe and uniform, and the purpose
OF the war was specifi cally Stated
in, the proclamation issued by
! my predecessor on the 22d day of
September, 1862. 1t was then sol.
.emnly proclaimed and declared
that thereafter, as heretofore, the
war will be prosecuted for the OBJ
ject- Of practically restoring the
Constitutional relation between
the United States and each of the
States and the people thereof, in
which States thatrelation is or may
be suspended or disturbed" =.
The recognition Of the States by
the Judicial Department OF the
Government has also been clear
and conclusive in all proceedings
affecting them as States, had in the
Supreme, Circuit and District
Courts. .. - .
| In the admission of Senators and
Representatives from any and all
OF the States, there can be no just
ground of apprehension that per-
sons who are disloyal will be cloth
led with the powers of legislation;
for this could not happen when the
| Constitution and the laws are en-
forced by a vigilant and faithful
Congress. Each House is made
the "judge of the eIections,return
and qualifications of its own mem
bers," and may, "with the concur.
renee of two-thirds, expel a men,,
ber." When Senator or Repre-
sentative presents his certificate of
election, he may at once be ad-
mitted or rejected; or, should there
be any question as to his eligibili-
kW, his credentials may be referred
for investigation to the approprl-
ate committee. If admitted to a
seat, it must be upon evidence sat-
isfactory to the House of which he
thus becomes a member, that he
possesses the requisite Constitu-
tional and legal qualifications. If
refused admission as a member for
want of due allegiance to the Gov
ernment, and returned to his con-
stituents, they are admonished that
none but persons loyal to the Uni
ted States will be allowed a voice
in the Legislative Councils of the
Nation, and the political power and
moral influence of Congress are
thus effectively exerted in the in
terests of loyalty to the Govern
ment and fidelity to the Union
Upon this question, so vitally af.
fecting the restoration of the Uni
on and the permanency of our
present form of government, my
convictions, heretofore expressed,
have undergone no change; but, on
the contrary, their correctness has
been confirmed by reflection and
time. If the admission of loyal
members to seats in the respective
Houses of Congress was wise and
expedient year ago, it is no less
wise and expedient now. If this
anomalous condition is right now
IF, in the exact condition of these
States at the present time, it is
lawful to exclude them from rep
resentation, | do not see that the
question will be changed by the
effiux of time. Ten years hence, If
these States remain as they are,
the right of representation will be
no stronger-the right of exclusion
will be no weaker.
The Constitution of the United
States makes it the duty of the
President to recommend to the
consideration of Congress "such
measures as he shall judge neces-
sary or expedient." l know of no
measure more imperatively de-
manded by every consideration of
National interest, sound policy, and
equal justice, than the admission
of loyal members from the now
unrepresented States. This would
consummate the work of restora-
ton, and exert a most salutary in
fluence in the re-establishment of
peace, harmony, and frat ernal feel