The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-02-21

questionably imply loyalty. He who
comes as a Representative having the quail
IficatiOns prescribed by the constitution L.
fit him 10 take seat in either OF the deiH-
erative bodies which constitute The rational
legi- lature, must necessarily, acc0rI.- 10
The intent OF the constitution, be a loyal
man. willing to abide by and believe 10 the
Union and constitution Of the United States.
lie cannot be tor the constitution, he cannot
be for the Union. he cannot acknowledge al
leeqance to all the laws, unless he is loyal.
When the people send such men in good
faith they are entitled 10 representation
through them In going into the recent
rebellion or instruction against the Gov
eminent Of the United States. You erred.
and in returning and resuming your rela-
tons with the Federal Government l am
free % say all the responsible positions aud
places ought 10 be conferred distinctly and
clearly on men who are loyal II there
we're only five thousand men in a state or
less number, but sufficiently 90 take
charge of the political machinery Of the
State, those five thousand men or the lesser
number are entitled TO IT,
These are fair words. IL. 10y the term 10y
al he means not Only white lOyalists. but
the thousands Of cslored Yirginiaus, who
have in our armies no successfully yinlicted
the rights Of the people and the majesty of
the nation. Otherwise there Is 20 real
logic in the argument
The President also f,rcibis SAYS;
IL feel that the day is not distant.
speak confidently in reference 10 the great
mass Of the American people. when they
wil determine that This Union shall Doe
made whole, and the great right OF repre-
sentatiOn in the councils Of the nation be
acknowledged, Gentlemen-that iundamen-
tai principle No td.cGttOn trsttOW repre-
selitattOn,' was one Of the principles which
carried Us through the Revolution THIS
great princ.pls 'rW holi q0od get, and b
we but perform our duty, il we but comply
with the spirit al the resolutions presenlel
10 me to-day, the American people vii.
maintain and sustain the great doctrine
upon which the Government was inaugur-
afed. II can bee done aud it VIII DEE done.
and think that il the effort PEE fairly and
fully made, with iorbrarance and Nth pru
dence, and with discretion and wisdom. th,
end Is not very far distant
Truer words we're never spoken; here
lies the final solution Of all our troubles.
Let Virginia adopt the great principle here
cnuuciated by the President. and she wil
be not only speedily restored 20 an me
rights Of representation in Congress, bui
but also 10 fraternity with her loyal sister
States The North il eager 10 snake hand,
with the South, and forget all the past.
The chief obstacle IS the fixed determine
ton Of the southern aristocrats TO maintain
their power, and keep the Black forever in
vassalage. The South WAS never heartily
rebel, and but for the tact that the few
Shareholders possessed all tie power in DE
Legislatures as we'll - in Congress, not .
State would have ever attempted L. secede
Tie thing has been tried aud failed: the
power is now in the hands OF Congress, az,
10 them we look with trust and confidence
10 provide such guarantee. that tie at
tempt even shall never again be maze.
We viii pay no rebel debts, ALL thD niG-'
help pay ours. We carried this burden lhs
nation could never carry another o. like
magnitude. We appeal 10 ConSTess 20 car
~ this principle into effect. mo tic0tsor
.rithOut representation. This is the corn
er stone Of the republic, IN it alone lives
our security IN the future. Our intentions
are founded ppon the principle that gov
eminent exists only by the consent of the
governed. To withhold the right from ans
t. whom it belongs is not only dangerous,
but violation OF justice. Let tie degen-
crate sons Of the South confer the right q
impartial suffrage, upon the class who are
4 majority of the population in many OF the
Southern states, or place all classes upon
an equal footing as to the elective franchise,
and we win believe their declarations OF
good will, bid them welcome as brethren,
and GOd-speed in the future.