Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1866-06-22
IL Econ NsTE UCTsoN CommRrEEE.
FINAL REPORT.

possible the great facts and principles ;sp-
p'icaole to all the States recently in rebel
lion. 5,is
frat. The seats of the Senators and
REPRESENTATIVES from the so called Con
1ederate States became vacant in the year
1861, curing the second session of the
Thirty Sixth Congress, by the voluntary
withdrawal OF their incumbents with the
sanction and by the direction Of the Legis
la1ures or conventions OF their respective
Sta es. THIS was done as hostile act a.
galnst the Constitution and Government
OF the United States, with u declared in-
tent to overthrow the same by forming 8
Southern confederation. THIS act OF de-
elared hostility was speedily followed by
an organization OF the same St ates into a
conteueraey, which levied and waged war
by sea and laud against tie United States.
Lhls war continued more than tour years.,
within which period the rebel armies be-
sleged the national capital, invaded the
loyal States. burned their towns and cities%
robbed their citizens, destroyed more than
25O,o00 loyal soldiers, aad imposed an In
creased national burden of not less than
So, 500, 900, 900, of which seven or eight
hundred millions have already been met
and paid. From the time these contede~
rated States thus withdrew from their,
representation in Congress and levied war
against the United States the great mass
OF their people became and We're insur-
gents, rebels, trairors, and all OF them as.
sumed and occupied the political, legal,
and practical relation OF enemies OF the
United States. This position is established
by acts ct Congress and judicial decisions,
and is recognized repeatedly by the Pres
ident Ia, public procl;ainations, documents,
and speeches.
Second The States thus confederated
prosecuted their war against the United
States to- tlnal arbtralnent, and did not
cease until all their armies We're captured,
their military power destroyed, their civil
otIicers-Stase and contederate-taken
prisoners or put to fight, every vestige Of
State and Confederate government oblte-
rated, their territory overrun and occupied
by the Federal armies, aud their people
reduced to the condition OF, enemies con-
qsered IN WAL, entitled only by. public
law TO such rights, privileges, and condi-
tions as nighI DC vouchsated by the con-
queror. Tnls position IS also established:
| BY judicial decisions, aud is recognized by
| the presidant.in public proclamaiions, doc
uaaents, and speeches.
Third. Having voluntarily deprived
themselves ot representation III Congress,
FOR the criminal purpose Of destroying the
Federal Union, and having reduced them
selves, by the act of levyirg war, to the
the condirion OF public enemies, they have
no right to cotn plain OF temporary eXclu-
| sion from Congress- but. on the contrary,
having voluntarily renounced their right
10 representation, aud disqualified the,a-
selves by crime from participating i'll tle
Government, the7 burden now rests upon
them, before claiulang to be reilistated in
jtheir former condition, to- show that they
are qualified to resume Federal relations.
la ordersto do this they must prove that
they have established,> with the eonseat OF
the people, republican forms ct govern
ment in harmony with the Constitution
/ and laws of the United States. that all
hostile purposes have ceases, and should
give adequate guarantees against future
/ treason and ellion--guarantees which
will prove satisfactory To- the Government
lagaillst which they rebeiled, and by whose
arms they were, nbdued- 5 i a.str. )
i j, Fonrth., Having. by this reasonable
I withdrawal from Congress and by hagrant
4 rebellion and war, forfeited all civil and
/ political rights aud privileges under the
i Federal Gonstitution, they can only be
restored 5 thereto by the, pernission and
1 authority Of that constitutional power a
i gainst which they reaelled, and by which
Ixl,r -, ID