The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1866-03-10

Mr.. Trumbull contcnded that Congress had
only done that. and, in this connection, re-
fcrred to the Joint Committee of Congress.
/ lie is not member of that Committee, but
he understood that it had been taking testl-
mony in regard to the condition of these
eleven States. Gems. Grant and lhomasa and
| the rebel General Lee have been examined,
and witnesses procured from all sources
A resolution had been adopted in Congress
calling upon the President for all the intor-
nation he possessed touching the rcorganlZa.
ton of these States, but to this day the reso-
LUTON is unanswered This Committee is
laboriously at work, and will soon report,
and they will report either that they are loyal
and give facts to prove it. or they will show
that they are dialoya, and give reasons sati-
st;,ctory to the loyal people of the nation.
say then, that Congress is proceeding
with al! dispatch, and the policy,is to bring
every one of these States into harmonious
relations with the Union at the very irStmo-
mcnt consistent with the dignity and safety of
the nation. Until then it will not be done,
[Chccrs.l What then becomes Of this ques-
| ton about Congress? Has it not the authority
to pass upon thisqucstion? Who has the power?
Suppose South Carolina during the war, had
elected Senators and sent them to Washing
ton. What would you have said if Congress
had received them? Who was to decide p
The President of the United States? What
has he to do with it?
1t was monstrous assumption to claim for
anybody else than the representatives Of the
people the right to decide the question Of
admission of these States into Congress-
He quoted from Mr.. Seward late New York
speech in relation to representatives from the
lately rcbelious States waiting at the doors
of Congress for admission, while taxation
and other burdens were constantly being I'M
posed upon the people they represent. The
speaker denied that there had been II single
law passed imposing upon those people any
burdens whatever in the way Of taxation.
He then referred to H. Y. johnson and
~
the loyal men who had been sent to Congress
as representatives Of the people ofthc South
crn StMes. Congress keeps such men out
and means to keep them out. These State
Governments were presided over by men
fresh from the rebel arm. and from the MUIR
der of our sons and brothers. Congress was
proceeding with this matter with all the haste
consistent with dine consideration as to
whether these State organizations thus set up
are in the hands of loyal men, and upon such
a basis as that the moment they are rccog-
nizcd they will not be overthrown by rebels,
and We would soon have report, and ifthcy
were loyal there was not a man in Congress
who would not rejoice at their return.
1t was n matter of regret that such men as
Horace Maynard and Colonel Stokes, of
Tennessee, and others from Arkansas, were
necessarily kept out by this investigation.
But Col Stokes did not want his seat until
the question of the loyalty Of their organiza-
tons was clearly proven. While Congress
claimed the right TO make these invcStiga-
tons, they did not complain that the Prcsi-
dent rcorganizea those Governments, but
they wished to ascertain whether there is suiti
cient loyalty to justify their admission, and
there was no doubt that Congress would vir-
tually triumph in the position they had as
sumed.
He doubted not but some of these States
would be in the Union before the close of
Congress. But the people did MT want rebels
in Congress who wolld recognize the rebel
debt and rcpudiate the loyal debt, make
loyalty disrcputablc and rebellion respccta
Bile. Congress had the right to Judge of the
character of these State organizations and
:obody else. Yet its policy was not 10 keep
them out. but to let them in as soon as posi-
/ BILE, consistent with safety to the rcpublic.-
That was their policy and they would adhere
to it,