The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-01-31

1t has been said that any politician who Wis.,
its the White House comes away with the idea
that its distinguished occupant, ANDY, is dispos-
ed to favor the views Of the late visitor. All
fnl the President very pleasant and approach
able, communicative, and all that, but his mr.
bauitY is so overpowering as to co rvince his
visitors that lie desires to please them all,
while thoy are sllrewdly suspicious that he will
have his own way last The nearest ap'
proach made by Andy to an cut-and-out ex
preston of sentiment, is chronicled BY Gag
asc,-.--strc wrft Ano"u Uor.ssponde"t of the
Cincinnati Gazette. The Madison Journa
condenscs and copies as follows
"Agatc' publishes some details of the Tres
idcnt's conversation on reconstruction, in re-
cent interviews had with him by prominent
men Of the country. He says that these de-
tails are from careful minutes made immcdi
-stely after the conversations, and that they
may lie relied on as substantially correct, and
are not mere street rumors like much that is
published in regard to public men at the capt.
tai
Jhe President, according to this account,
now declares himself opposed to constitutional
amendments. At one time he favored some,
but thinks the tendency of frequent amend
ments is to weaken the force and solemn Sane
ton of the constitution, and to unsettle the
foundations Of tbs government. he does not
think it necessary, and he doubts the propriety
of declaring the rebel debt unconstitutional,
as le thinks there is no danger that the south.
ern people will want to pay it. The objections
to it in the south will, in his opinion, grow
stronger from year to year. Furthermore, ne
regards the proposal of constitutional amend.
meuts by congress from which the south is
excluded, as grossly inconsistent. Nor does
he regard it as proper to ask states which are
unfit to be represented in congress to ratiiy
constitutional amendments. He argues that
the true course for the union party to pursue
il "with omen arms and cordial hands" to wei.
come these states into participation with tile
government. Thus we would have them as
the friends of the union party, and not make
them its enemies by shutting the door in their
faces.
In fact these states were entitled to be repre-.
sentcd in congress. all through the rebellion
Indeed there was greater reason for there being
represented than there was at other times Con.
gress had repeatedly dealt with them as states
during the rebellion. Members from Virginia
for example, were admitted. Direct taxes
other states. The 9th section Of the act oil
the 7th Of June, 1862, in its latter clauses
recognized the saMe principle.
The rebel states are therefore now in the
union. Indeed, their governments are more
republican, more democratic, more in harmo
ny with the spirit Of our institutions, than they
ever were before. If congress would only
look out there now, it would see legislators
governors, state officers of all grades, mem
bers of congress, all elected by the people;
courts in session, taxes being collected. mails
being carried. Surely these made states in
the union, if they were ever in it,
Concerning the admission of rebel congress
men he said each house judges by itself Of the
merits Of each claimant Of seat. This wise
provision of the constitution enables the two
houses to exclude bad men, but states must not
I've excluded because of objections to individu.
mis-. Representation in congress is but one Of
the rights Of the states under the constitution
Exclusion from congress does not, therefore
prevent these rebel states from enjoying and
exercising other constitutional rights, over
which congress, in spite Of its denial of thcil
rights, has no control.