The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-04-24

was, that there should be no taxation
without representation. How, then.
| does the matter stand? Who has
been usurping power, and who has
been defeating the operation of the
Constitution? And what now re-
mains to be done to complete the
restoration of these States to all their
former relations under the Federal
Government, and to finish the great
ordeal through which we have been
passing? It is to admit representa-
ton. Cheers. And when we say
admit representation, what do We
mean? We mean representation in
the constitutional and law-abiding
sense, as was intended at the begin
ming of the Government.
And where does that power iee
The Constitution declares in express
terms that each house, the Senate
and House of Representatives, each
acting for itself, shall be the Judge of
the returns of election and qualifica-
tions of its own members. It is for
each house to settle that question
under the Constitution, and under
the solemn sanction of an oath; and
can we believe that either house
would admit any member into its
body to participate in the legislation
of the country who was not qualified
and fit to sit in that body and parti-
cipate in it's proceedings? They have
the power-not the two houses. but
each house for itself.
The Constitution further declares
that no State shall be deprived of its
equal suffrage in the Senate of the
United States without its consent.
Then where do we stand? All that
is needed to finish this great work of
restoration is for the two houses re-
spectively to determine these oues-
tions. OH but some will say, "a
traitor might come in" The answer
to that IS: Each house must be the
Judge; and, if Il traitor presents HIM
sell, cannot either house know that
he is traitor applause], and if he is
traitor, can they not kick him out
of the door and send him back, saw
ing to the people who sent him.
You must send US loyal man:'
Cheers. and voice, That's the
logic. is there any difficulty about
that? Cries of ''No, no."1
If traitor presents himself to
either house, cannot that house say
to him, NO, You cannot be admit
ted into this body. Go back. We
will not deny Your people of the
right Of representation, but they
must send a loyal representative. .
Cheers. And when the States do
send loyal representatives, can YOU
have any better evidence Of their fl
deity to the Constitution and laws?
There IS no one learned in constitu-
F.. tional law who will say that if a
traitor happens to get into Congress
the body cannot expcl him after he
! gets III. That makes assurance doublv
sure, and conforms the action of the
| Government to the Constitution OF
our fathers. Hence, l say, let us
stand by that Constitution, and in
standing by it the covenant will be
preserved.
While l have been contendins
against traitors and treason and Sc
cession. and the dissolution of the
Union, [ have been contcnding at the
sanle time against the consolidation
of power here. Cries of 'good."]
think the consolidation of power here
is equally dangerous with the separa-
ton Of the States. Cheers The
one would weaken us and might run
into anarchy, while the other would
concentrate and run into monarchy
| Cheers and cries of Cant do it. ~
O, but there is an idea abroad thai
one man can be despot; that one
man can be usurper, but that hun
dred or two hundred men cannot.
Mr.. Jefferson, the apostle of liberty
tells us, so does common sense, tLa,
! tyranny and dcspotism can be exer
clsed by many more vigorously anG
more tyrannically than by one. Wha,
power has your President to be 6
tvrant? What can he do? What car
he originate? Why, they say, he ex
ercises the veto power! Laughter
What is the veto power? A voice
TO pnt down the niger Laugh
ter.
Who's your President? [Severa
voices Andy Johnson!'] Is he no,
elected by the people through the
electoral colleges? The President is
nothing more than the tribune of the
people. His Office is tribunal in its
, character.
I In olden times, when tribunes were
first elected in the Roman Republic,