Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-12-05

the recent legislation in reference to Ten
nessee, which evidently rests upon the fact
that the functions of the State were not
destroyed by the rebellion, but merely sus-
pended, and that principle is of course ap.
plicable to those States which, like Tennts-
see, attempted to renounce their places IN
the Union.
ACTION OF THE EXECUTIVE.
The action of the Executive Depart
ment Of the Government upon this sub
ject has been equally definite and uni
form, and the purpose of the war was
specifically stated in the proclamation
issued by my predecessor on the 22d day
of September, 1862. 1t was then SOL
EMMY proclaimed and declared that
hereafter, as heretofore. the war will
be prosecuted for the object of practically
restoring the constitutional relation be-
tween the United States aud each of the
States and the people thereof in which
States that relation is or may be suspended
or disturbed"
JUDICIAL RECOGNITION.
The recognition of the States by the
Judicial Department of the Government
has also been clear and conclusive in all
proceedings affecting them as States, had
in the Supreme, Circuit and District
Courts.
SO JUST GROUND FOR APPREHENSION.
In the admission Of Senators and Repre-
sentatives from any and all of the States,
there can be no just ground of apprehen-
sion that persons who are disloyal will be
clothed with the powers of legislation for
this could not happen when the COnstitu-
ton and laws are enforced by vigilant
and faithful Congress. Each House is made
the Judge of the elections, returns and
qualifications of its own MEMBERS" and
may, with the concurrence of two thirds,
expel a member" When a Senator or
Representative presents his certificate of
election, he may BE- at once admitted or re-
jected or. should there be any question
as to his eligibility. his credentials may be
referred for investigation to the appropriate
committee
If admitted to a seat, it must be upon
evidence satisfactory to the House of which
he thus becomes member, that he pos
sesses the requisite constitutional and legal
qualifications. If refused admission as
member for want of due allegiance to the
Government, and returned to his constitu-
ents, they are admonished that none but
persons loyal to the United States will be
allowed a voice in the Legislative Councils
of the Nation, and the political power and
moral influence of Congress are thus effec-
lively eXerted in the interests of loyalty to
the Government and fidelity to the Union.
Upon this question, 80 vitality effecting
the restoration of the Union and the per-
manency of our present form of govern
ment, my convictions, heretofore expressed,
have undergone no change; but, on the
contrary, their correctness has been con-
firmed by reflection and time. II the ad-
mission of loyal members to seats in the
Houses of Congress was wise
and expedient a year ago, it is no less wise
and expedient now. If this anomalous
condition is right now-if, in the exact
condition of these States at the prese mt
time, it Is lawful to exclude them from rep
| do not see that the question
will De changed by the effluX of time Ten
years hence, if these States remain as they
are, the right of representation will be no
right of exclusion will be no
weaker.
OUR MISSION DEMANDED AZ EVERY OoNsID-
The Constitution of the United States
makes il the duty of the President to
recommend to the consideration of Con-
gress ''such measures as he shall Judge nee
essary or eXpedient" know OF no meas
ure more imperatiyely demanded by every
consideration Of national interest, sound
policy, and equal justice, than the admis-
sion of loyal members from the new un-
States This would consummate
the work of restoration, and exert most
salutary influence in the re-establishment
of peace, harmony and fraternal feeling. 1t
would tend greatly to renew the confidence
OF the American people in the vigor and
stability of their institutions. 1t would
bind us more closely together as nation,
and enable US to show to the world the in
herent and recuperative power of Gov
ernment founded upon the will of peo-
pie, and established upon the principles of
liberty, justice and intelligence.
Our increased strength and enhanced
prosperity would irrefragably demonstrate
the fallacy of the arguments against free
institutions drawn from our recent ns-
tional disorders by the enemies Of repub-
licsn government The admission of loyal
members from the States now excluded
from Congress, by allaying doubt and ap-
prehension, would turn capital now await
ing an opportunity for investment, into
the channels of trade and industry. 1t
would alleviate the present troubled con-
dition Of those States, and, by inducing
emigration, aid in the settlement of fertile
regions now uncultivated, and lead to an
increased production of those staples
which have added so 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 devsstations of war would be re-
paired, and all traces of our domestic diff
ferences effaced from the minds Of our
countrymen.
oAvrIoS ADVISED LEST We RESORT TO ooN-
soLIDATIoN.
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 held prior TO the rebellion,
we should be cautious, lest, having rescued
our nation from perils Of threatened disin-
tegration, We resort to consolidation, and
in the end absolute despOtism, as a remedy
for recurrence of similar troubles. The
war having terminated, and with it all oc-
casion for the exercise of power of doubt
tul constitutionslity, we should hasten to
bring legislation within the boundaries pre-
scribed by the Constitution, and TO return
TO the ancient landmarks established by
our fathers for the guidance of succeeding
generations The Constitution which at
any time exists, until changed by an ex-
plicit and authentic act of the whole peO-
pile, is sacredly obligatory upon all" If,
in the opinion of the people, the distribu-
ton of 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 usurpation: for ''it is the
customary weapon by which free Govern
ments are destroyed"
Washington spoke these words to his
countrymen, when followed by their love
and gratitude, he voluntarily retired from
the cares of public life 40 keep in all
things within the pale of our constitu-
tional powers, and cherish the Federal
Union as the only rock of safety" were
prescribed by Jefferson as rules of action
TO endear to bis "countrymen the true prin-
ciples of their Constitution, and promote a
union of sentiment and action equally aus
plcl0uS 10 tucH HapPincSs dnu safety
jackson held that the action of the General
Government should always be strictly con-
fined to the sphere Of its appropriate du
ties, and justly and forcibly urged that om
Government ia not to be maintained mol
our Union preserved by invasions of the
rights and powers of the several States.
DAHsKR OF wHAKKNING THE GOVERNMENT
In thus attempting to make our Genera
Government strong, we make il weak