The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1866-12-12


issued by my predecessor on the Odd day
of Septemher, 1862. 1t was then solemnly
proclaimed and declared that hereafter; rs
the war will be prosecuted for
the object Of practically restoring the coz
'stitutional relationship between the United
States and each of the States and people
thereof in which States that relation is or
may he suspended or disturbed. The re-
cognition of the States by the judicial de-
partment,of the government hasvals' been
clear and conclusive in all proceedings at
fecting them as States had in thesnpreme..
circuit and district courts. In the ,ad-
mission of senators and representatives
froma any and all of the States there can be
nogiust ground of apprehension that per-
sons who are dislovaF will he clothed with
the powers of legislation, for this could not
happen when the constitution and the laws
are enforced by a yigilant and faithful
Congress. Each house is made the Judge
ofthe elections, returns, and qualifications
of its own members. and may, with the
concurrence of two-thirds, expel member.
When q senator or representative presents
his certificate of election he must he adj
mitted OF rejected or shniild there he any
question as tohs eligibility his credentials
may be referred DEMONSTRATION to the
appropriate committee. If admitted to a
seat it must lie upon evidence satisfactory
to the house, of which he becomes q mem
her, that he possesses the requisite cnhsti-
tutional and. legal qualifications. Ifhe is
refused admission as member tor want OF
due alleeianc6 to- the gpyernments his con-
stit,lents arc ~admonished' that none bnt
persons loyal to the United, States will he
allowed aa-voice in the Legislative councils
of the nation, and the political power and
moral influence of Congress are thus ef'ec-
lively exerted, in, the interests ofslqyalty to
the government and fidelity toths. Union
upon this question, so vitality affecting the
Restoration of the Union and the per-
manencv of orr present form of govern
ment. Nv convictions, heretofore express
ed. have undergone no change; but on the
contrary their correctness has been, con-
frmed nv reflection and time. Ifthe adj
missions of LOYAL members to seats in the
respecfive houses IF CONGRESS- Wasiwise and
eynedient year ago. it is no less wise and
eypedient now If this anomalous condi-
tion is rirht now if in the exact condition
of these States at the present, it is lawful
to exclude them from representation, do
not see that the ques ion will be; changed
nv the rfflnx of time ten years hence.
IF these States remain asithey are right OF
representatiou will be no stronger. The
i rioht of exclusion, mill. be- weaker. The
i Constitution af the United States makes
it n duty of the President to recommend
the consideration of Congress such meas
ures as,he shall judges gne eessary Tand ex-
Incident. I know of no measure more. I'm.
tentatively demanded by every considera-
! ton of national interest, sound policy and
2 equal iustic ! than the admission of loyal
members from the now nnrepresented
States This MionTd consnnifaate the work
of restoration, would haYeIaImost salutary
: influence with establishment of peace
j harmony and, fraterna1 feelingyr 1t wOnld
, tenil greatly to renew the confidence Of thu
, American people in the vlgor and stabili
. ty of their institutions. 1t would bind us
, more closely together as nation and ena
: bls, us to showito the world theT inlieren1
E and recuperative power of a government
f founded on the will of theqpeople, and es
: tablished upon the principle OF liberty
: Justice and. intelligence Our, increased
: strength and enhanced prosperity woult
: certainly demand the. fallacy of the argu
f ments against free intiturions drawn from
= our recent national disorders by the enc
-,iss f republican governments. The ad
mission of 49, ~. members from fhe STATE
S now excluded from Congress, Pya allayin!
$ ISdoubt and apprehension, MGald tafi, cap
! ital now awaiting an opportunity w. ~
: vestment in the channels of trade ant
r industry. 1t would alleviate the presen
a troubled condition of those States ind b,
e inducing emigration aid in the settlement
4 of, fertile regions now uneultivated, an
!, lead to an increased production Of TINS
y staples which have added SO greatly to tn
: wealth of he>nation,, and to the e6mrrierc
n of the world. New fields of enterpris
$ would be opened to our progressira people
e and soon the devastation of war would b
J, repaired, and all traces ofour dOmesticIli
e ferehces effaced from the minds Of on
It countrymen. In our efforts to preserv
h the unity of good which constitutes lis on
e people, by restoring the States to their IT
" lation which they held prior to- republ
II tcanisnl, we should be cautious, lest haSih
l. rescued onr. nation from, the. perils, {
IS threatened disintegration, we resort t
e arbitrary means. aud in the end to absolut
'e despotisnl as remedy To prevent the IT
\, currence of similar trouble. The war ha,
le ing terminated, and with it ltall oceasio
u for exercise Of powersYof, doubtful const
le nationality, we shOuld hasten to, brin
~ legislation within the boundaries prescri
IT ed by the Constitution, and to return [
& the ancient landmarks. established by sl
to fathers. For the guidance of succeedir
n generations the Constitution, which at an
I'd time exists until changed by an explic
n and authentic act of the whole people,
e. sacredly obligatory upon all. NIf, in ii
le opinion Of the people, the distribution
1t modification, Of the. constitutional powe
Il by any particular wrong, let it be cOrrec
a. ed by an amendment in theiway in whit
IT the Constitutions designates; but let the
'e be no change by usurpation for this istl
1t customary weapon BY which free COVER
e. ments are destroyed. Washington spoil
is these words to his countrymen when, fl
t- lowed by their love and gratitude, he W
rs unfairly retired from the cares of pubi
le life. To Keep in all things within. II
of pale of our constitutional power az
" cherish the federal union as the only VIZ
u to safety, were prescribed by Jefferson
De ruleslof action t0 epdeator, OF LIS eollntr
Mt men the true principles Of their constit
ut ton and promote, by union of sentime
Ii and action, equally auspieious to their ha
it piness and safety. Jackson held that Il
IS action ofthe general government shou
lie always be Strictly confined to the sphe
Id of its appropriate duties, and justly "a
p forcibly urged that 'ourlgovernment lis n
n to be maintained nor our union preserv
= byinvasions of the rights and powers
e. the several States in their attempting
v make our general government strong
m make it weak. Its true strength seonslS
p in leaving individuals and States as niu
of as possible to themselves-in making it's
o. felt not so much in its power as i'll
u benifcence-not in its control brt in j
a protection--not in binding the States me
en- closely to the centre, but in leaving ca
IN to move unobstructed in its proper cons
H. tutiona1 orbit These are the teachings