Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-12-06

EE<7SE6ELs-E
pnim paired; and that as soon as there OBJ
jects" were accomplished the war ought to-
cease" Iu some instances, Senators were
permitted to continue their legislative func
tions, while, in other instances, Representa-,
tives were slected and admitted toseats af-
ter their Safes bad formally declared their
right to withdraw from the Union, and
we're endesvoring to maintain that right by
force Of arms. All Of these States whose
people were in ipsurrection, as States, we're
tax of twenty millions Of dollars annually
laid upon the United States by the Act ap.
proved August 5th, 1861. Congress, by
the Act Of March 4th, 1862. and by the ap.
portioument of representation Hereunder,
also recognised their presence as States 10
the Union; and they have, for judicial pur.
posss, been divided into districts, as States
alone can be divided The same recogni.
tion appears in the recent legislation in ref
erence to Tennessee, which evidently rests
upon the fact that the functions Of the State
we're not destroyed by the rebellion, but
merely suspended and that principle is. Of
course. applicable to those States, which
like Tennessee. attempted 10 renouuce their
places in the Union. -F.
The action Of the Executive Department
Of the Government upon this subject has
been equally definite and uniform, and the
purpose of the war was specifically stated
in the proclamation issued by my predeccs-
sor on the 22d of September, 1862 IL was
there solemnly proclaimed and declared that
hereafter. as heretofore, the war will be
prosecuted for the object Of practically re.
storing the constitutional relations between
the United States and each of the States
and the people thereof, in which States that
relation is, or may be suspended or disturb
ed" i2 7sns,.t F. 80 gs'f,s ST.. AFRO
The recognition Of the States by the Ju
dicial Department Of the Government has
also been clear and conclusive in all proceed
ings affecting them as States, had in the
supreme. circuit and district courts. -1a
In the admission of Senators and Repre-.
sentatives from any and oil Of tho States,
there can be no just ground OF apprehension
that persons who are disloyal will be clothed
with the powers, OF legislation; for this
could not happen when the constitution and
tho laws are enforced by yigilsnt and faith.
full Congress. Each House is made the
Judge Of the elections, returns and quail
| fications OF its own member" and may.
with the concurrence Of two-thirds, expel
q member" When q Senator or Repre-
| oculhtlN6 pTCotutb uiS CcttluCute vi tttCtIOu,
he may at once be admitted or rejected or,
should there be any question as to his eligi.
bility, his credentials may be referred for
investigation to the appropriate committee.
j If admitted to q seat, it must be upon evi.
dence satisfactory to the House of which he
thus becomes member, that he possesses
the requisite constitutional and legal quail
fcatons. IF refused admission as mem
ber for want of due allegiance to the gov.
ernment, and returned to his constituents,
they are admanished that none but persons
loyal to the United States will be allowed Q
voice in the legislative councils of the ma
ton, and the political power and moral in.
fiuence of Congress are thus effectively ex
erted in the interests Of loyalty to tho gov
!, ernment and fidelity to the Union. Upon
this question, 80 vitally affecting the restor
alton Of the Union and the permancncy OF
our present form of government my con
victions, heretofore expressed, have under
gone no change; but on the contrary. their
correctness has been confirmed by reflection
and time. If the admission Of lsyal mem.
bers to seats in the respective Houses OF
Congress was wise and sxpedient 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 ut
the present time, it is lawful to exclude them
from representation, l do not see that the
question will be changed by the efiux el
time. Ten years hence, it these States re.
main as they are, the right of representa-
tion will be no stronger-the right Of ex.
clusion will be no weaker. ...-'w
The Constitution Of the United States
makes it the duty of the President to re.
commend to the consideration of Congress
| IL .n al all t..I.
or expedient." know OF no measure more
imperativey demanded by every considera.
ton of national interest, sound policy and
equal Justice than the admission of loyal
members from the now uni epresentsd States.
This would consummate the work of restor-
alton, and exert most salutary influence in
the re.establishment Of peace, harmony and
iraternal feeling. 1t would teEd greatly to
renew the confidence Of the American peo
pie in the vigor and stability Of their In
stitutions. II would bind us more closely
together as nation, and enable us to show
the world the inherent and recuperativt
power OF Q government founded upon the
will OF the people, and established upon the
principles OF liberty, justice and intelligence
Our increased. .strengt b, enhanced prosperity
would irrefragsbly demonstrate the fallacy
OF the arguments against free institution,
drawn from our recent national disorders By
the enemies OF Republican Government. =
The admission of loyal members from the
!. States now excluded from Congress, by
allaying doubt and apprehension, would
turn capital now awaiting an opportunity fol
| investment, into the channels OF trade and
industry. IL would alleviate the present
| troubled condition Of those States, and BY
inducing Immigration, aid in the settlemen
Of iertils regions now cultivated. and lead
to an increased production of those staples
which have added so greatly to tho wealth
Of the nation and the commerce of the
world, New folds OF enterprise would be
opened TO our progressive people, and soon
tho deysststions Of war would bc repaired,
aud all traces Of our domestic differences
effsced from tho minds OF our countrymen,
10 our efforts to preserve "the unity Of
Government which constitutes US one peo.
pie, )" by restoring tho States to the condi.
ton to which they held prior TO the rebel
lion, We should be cautious. lest, having res
cued our nation from psrils OF threatened
disintegration, wo resort TO consolidation
and In the end absolute despotism, as q
remedy for the recurrence of similar troub
: les. The var having terminated, and will
il all occasion for the exercise Of powers o
doubtful constitutionalty. we should has
ten to bring legislation within tho boundar
Y l.. ,.a...shnd b. tha Nnu .tttutiou .nd -