Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1866-12-13

congress was wise and expedlent year
ago, it is no less wise and expedient now.
Ii this anomalous condition is right now
if, in the exact condition Of these States at
the present time, it is lawful to exclude
them FROM representation, do not see
that the question will be changed by the
ef1lux Of time. Ten years hence, if these
States remain as they are, the right Of re-
presentation will be no stronger-the right
Of exclusion viii be no weaker
Duty of the Executive
The Constitution of the T. States makes
it the duty Of the President to recommend
to the consideration Of Congress 1'such
measures as lie may Judge necessary or ex-
pedlent." | know OF no measures more
imperatively demanded by every conslde-
ration o. national interest, sound policy
and equal justice, than the admission of
loyal members from the now unrepresented
States. This would consumnate the work
of restoration and exert most salutary
influence in the re-esta blishment of peace,
harmony, and fraternal feeling It would
tend greatly to renew the confidence ofthe
American people in the vigor and stability
Of their institutions. It would bind US
more closely together as nation, and en-
able us to show to the world the Inherent
and recuperative power Of Government
founded upon the will Of the people, and
established upon the principles Of liberty.
justice, and intelligence. Our increased
strength and enhanced prosperity would
irrefragably demonstrate the fallacy of the
argument against free institutions drawns
from cur recent national disorders by the
enemies Of republican government. The
admission of loyal members from the States
now excluded from Congress, by allaying
doubt and apprehension, would turn CAPT
tai, now awaiting an opportunity for in
vestment, into the channels of trade and
industry. 1t would alleviate the present
troubled condition Of those States, and, by
inducing emigration, aid in the settlement
i Of fertile regions now uncultivated, and
lead to an increased production of those
staples which have added 50 greatly to the
wealth of the nation and the commerce Of
the world. New fields of enterprise would
be opened to our progressive people, and
soon the devastations of war would be re-
paired, and all traces Of our domestic diff
ferences e1Iaced from the minds Of our
countrymen.
Consolidation to be Avoided
In our efforts to preserve "the unity Of
Government which constitutes US one peo-
pie" by restoring the States to the condi-
ton which they had prior to the rebellion,
we should be cautious, lest, having rescu-
ed our nation from perils Of disntegraton,
we resort to consolidation, and in the end
absolute despotism, as a remedy for the
recurrence Of similar troubles. The war
having terminated, and with it all occasion
for the exercise Of powers Of doubtful con-
stitutonality, we should hasten to bring
flegislation within the boundaries prescrib-
ed b. the Constitution, and to return to
the ancient landmarks established by our
ia theirs for the guidance of succeeding ge-
nerations. 1.-The Constitution which at
any time exists, until changed by an ex-
plicit and authentic act Of the whole peo-
pie, is sacredly obligatory upon all" IF,
in the opinion Of the people, the distribu-
ton or modification Of the constitutional
powers be, IN any particular, wrong, let it
be corrected by an amendment in the way
in which the Constitution designates But
let there be no change by usurpation; for
cit is the customary weapon by which free
Governments are destroyed" Washing
ton spoke these words to his countrymen,
when, followed by their love and gratitude,
he voluntarily retired from the cares Of
public life. TO keep in all things with
in the pale Of our con, titutional powers,
and cherish the Federal Union as the only
rock Of safety" were prescribed by Jeffer
son as rules Of action to endear to his
.countrymen the true principles of their
Constitution, and promote union Of SEN
timent and action equally suspicious to
their safety and happiness" Jackson held
that the action of the General Government
always be strictly confined to the sphere Of
its appropriate duties, and justly and for
chilly argued that our Government is not
to be maintained nor our Union preserved
'by invasion Of the rights and powers of
the States. La thus attempting to make
our General Government strong We make
it weak. Its true strength consists in lea
wing individuals and States as much as
possible to themselves; in mading itself
felt, not in its power, but in It's benefcence;
not in It's control, but in its protection; not
in binding the States more closely to the
centre, but leaving each to move unob
structed in its constitutional orbit" These
are the teachings of men whose deeds and
services have made them illustrious, and
who, long since Withdrawn from the
scenes of life, have left to their country
the rich legacy of their example, their
wisdom and their patriotism. Drawing
!, fresh inspiration from these lessons. let US
emulate them in love Of country and re-
spect for the Constitution and the laws.
Report Of Secretary of Treasury.
The report Of the Secretary of the Trea-
, sury affords much information respecting
| the revenue and commerce of the country
Lis views upon the currency, and with
J reference to a proper adjustment of our
revenue system, internal as well as inn
) post are commended to the careful cons-
deration of Congress. In my last Annual
Message | expressed my general views
unon these Subjects I need no only call