The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-12-06

OF every State, the right OF representa-
tion in each House OF Congress; and so
important was it deemed by the fran.
ers of the Constitution that The equali-
ty ofthe States in the Senate should be
preserved, that not even by an amend
ment of the Constitution can any
State, without its consent, be denied a
voice in that branch of the National
Legislature.
1t is true, 1t has been assumed that
the existence of the States was termi-
mated by the rebellious acts of their
inhabitants, and that the instruction
having been suppressed, they we're
thenceforward to be considered merely
as conquered territories. The legisla-
tive, executive and judicial depart.
ments of the Government have, how
ever, with great distinctness and uni
form consistency, refused to sanction
an assumption so incompatible with
the nature of our republican system,
and with the prcfessed objects of the
war. Throughout the recent legisla-
tion ofCongress, the undeniable fact
makes itself apparent that these ten
political communities are nothing less
than States of this Union. At the very
commencement of the rebellion, each
House declared, with unanimity as
remarkable as it was significant, that
the war was not "wagcd, upon our
part, in any spirit Of oppression, nor
Tor any purpose of conquest or subiu.
CATION, nor purpose of overthrowing
or interfering with the rights or estab-
lished institutions of those States, but
to defend and maintain the supremacy
OF the Constitution and all laws made
in pursuance thereof, and to preserve
the Union with all the dignity, equal
ity, and rights of the several States un-
impaired; md that as soon as these OBJ.
jccts" were accomplished the war
ought to cease" In some instances
Senators were permitted to co:,tinue
their legislative functions, while in
other instances, Representatives were
elected and admitted to seats after their
States had formally declared their
Fight. to withdraw from the Union.
and were endeavoring to maintain that
right by force Of arms. All of the
States whose people we're in Insured.
ton, as States, were included in the
apportionment OF tho direct tax of
twenty millions OF dollars annually
laid upon tho United States by the act
approved 9th August, 1861, Congress.
by the net Of March 4, 1862, and by
the apportionmont Of rcpl esentation
hereunder, also recognized thoir pres.
ence as States in the Union; and they
have, for judicial purposes, been d.
vided into districts, as States alone can
be divided. The same recognition ap.
pears in the recent legislation in ref
erence TO Tennessee, which evidently
rests upon the fact that the functions
OF the State were not destroyed by the
rebellion, but merely suspended; aud
the principle is Of course appliea bic 10
those States which, like Tennessee, at.
tempted 10 ronounce their places in tho
Union.
The action Of the Executive Depart.
mont of the Government upon this sub.
ject has been equally definite and uni.
form, and the purpose of the var was
specEcall y statld in the Proclamation
Of my predecessor on the 22d day of
September, 1862. II was then solemn.
BY proclaimed and declared that "here.
aites. as heretofore, the war will be
prosecuted for the object OF practically
restoring the constitutional relation
between tho United States and each of
the States and tho people thereof, in
which States that relation is or may be
suspended or disturbed"
Tho recognition of tho States by tho
Judicial Department Of the Govern.
lnent has also beon clear and conclu.
sive in oil proceedings affecting thom
as States, had in the Supreme, Circuit,
and judicial Courts.
In tho admission of Senators and
Representatives from any and all of
tho States, there can be no just ground
OF apprehension that persons who arc
disloyal will be clothed with the pow.
Crs OF legislation, Tor this could not
happen when tho Constitution and the
laws are enforced by vigilant and
faithful Congress, Each House is made
tho Judge Of the elections, returns, and
qualifications of its own members, and
may, with the concurrence of two.
thirds, expel q member" When Sen.
ator or Representative presents his
certificate of election, he may at once
6e adsaitted or rejected; or, should there
DO any question rs to his eligibility,
his credentials may be referred for in.
vostigation to the appropriate commit.
tee. If admitted to a seat, il must be
upon evidence satisfactory to the House
of which he thus becomes member,
that he possessed tho requisite eonsti.
tutiOnal and legal qualifications. If
refused admission as a member for
want Of due allegiance to the Govern.
mont, and returned to his constituents,
they are admonished that none but
persons loyal to the United States will
be allowed a voice in the Legislative
councils Of the nation, and tho political
power and moral influence Of Congress
are thus effectively exerted in the in.
tercst Of loyalty to the Government
and fidelity to the Union. Upon this
question, so vitality affecting The res
toration Of the Union and the perma.
noncy of our present form Of govern.
ment, my convictions, heretofore OK.
pressed, have undergone no change;