The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-12-05

state, the right Misrepresentation In each
House Of Congress and SO important
was it deemed 10y the trainers of the
Constitution that the equality of the
States in the Senate should be presery-
ed, that not even by an amendment of
the Constitution can any State, without
its consent, be denied voice in that
branch of the National Legislature.
1t is true, it has been assumed that
the existence of the States was ternin-
ated by the rebellious acts of their in
habitants, and that the instruction
having been suppressed, they were
thenceforward to be considered merely
as conquered territories. The Legisla-
lative, 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 professed objects of the war.
Throughout the recent legislation of
Congress, the undeniable fact makes it.
self apparent, that these ten political
communities are nothing less than
States of this Union. At the very COM
mencement of the rebellion, each House
declared, with a unanimity as remarka-
BILE as it was significant, that the war
was not "waged, upo.i our part, in any
spirit of oppression, nor for any pur-
pose of conquest or subjugation, nor
purpose of overthrowing or interfering
with the rights or established institu-
lions OF those States, but to defend and
maintain the supremacy of the Consti-
tuition and all laws made in pursuance
thereof, and to preserve the Union with
all the dignity, equality, and rights of
the several States unimpaired and that
as soon as these objects" were "ac-
complished the war ought to cease."-
In some instances, Senators were per-
mitted to continue their Legislative func-
tions, while in other instances Repre-
sentatives were elected and admitted to
seats after their States had formally de-
clared their right to withdraw from the
Union, and were endeav oring to MAIN
tain that right by force of arms. All
of the States whose people were i'll in
surrection, as States, were included in
the apportionment of the direct tax of
twenty millions of dollars annually
laid upon the United States by the act
approved 5th August, 1861. Congress,
by the act of March 4, 1862, and by
the apportionment of representation
Hereunder, also recognized their pres
ence as States in the Union; and they
have, for judicial purposes, been diyi-
ded into districts, as States alone can
be divided. The same recognition APP
pers in the recent legislation in refer
ence to Tennessee, which evidently rests
upon the fact that the functions of the
State were not destroyed by the rebell-
ion, but merely suspended; and that
principle is of course applicable to those
States which, like Tennessee, attempted
to renounce their places in the Union.
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 predecessor
on the ED day of September, 1862. 1t was
then solemnly proclaimed and declared that
thereafter, as heretofore, the war will be
prosecuted for the object of practically re-
storing the constitutional relation between
the United States and each of the States and
the people thereof, in which States that rela-
ton is or may be suspended or disturbed"
The recognition of the States by the Judi
cial Department of the Government has also
been clear and conclusive in all proceedings
affecting them as States, had in the Su-
preme, Circuit, and District Courts
In the admission of Senators and Represcn-
tatives from any and all of tn States, there
can be no just ground of apprehension that
persons who are disloyal will be clothed with
the powers of legislation; fo1 this could not
happen when the Constitution and the laws
are enforced by vigilant and faithful Con-
gress. Each House is made the Judge of
the elections, returns, and qualifications OF
its own members" and may, with the con-
currence of two-tlirds, expel member
When Senator or Representative presents
lis certificate of election, he may at once be
admitted or rejected; or, should there be any
question as to his eligibility his credentials
may be referred for investigation to the ap-
propriate committee. If admitted to seat
it must be upon evidence satisfactory to the
House of which he thus becomes member,
that he possesses the requisite constitutional
and legal qualifications. If refused adms-
sion as IL member for want of due allegiance
to the Government, and returned to his con-
stituents, they are admonished that none but
persons loyal to the United States will be al
lowed voice in the Legislative Councils OF
the Nation and the political power and NOR
al influence of Congress are thus effectively
exerted in the interests of loyalty to the
Government and fidelity to the Union. Up
on this question, so vitality affecting the res
toration of the Union and the permanency of
our present form of government, my convic-
tons, heretofore expressed, have undergone
no change; but, on the contrary, their cor.
rectness has been confirmed by reflection and
time. If the admission of loyal members to
seats in the respective Houses of Congress
was wise and expedient year ago, it is No
less wise and expedient now If this anon
alaus condition is right now-if, in the ex.
act condition of these States at the psesent
time, it is lawful to exclude them from rep
resentaticn, do not see that the question will
be changed by the efflux of time. Ten year,
hence, if these States remain as they are, the
right of representation will be no stronger
the right of exclusion will be no weaker.
The Constitution of the United States
makes it the duty of the President to recon-
mend to the consideration Of Congress "sucf
measures as he shall junge necessary or expe
dent" know of no measure more imper-
atively demanded by every consideration Of
national interest, sound policy, and equsl
4 from the now unrepresented States. This
4 r