Evening star., 1866-12-03
VeoI.. XVIII.
ing them as States, had in the Supreme, Or.


tives from any and all OF the States, there can
De no just ground of apprehension that persons
who are dirloyal will be clothed with the
powers Of legislation; for this could not happen
when the Oonsutution and the laws are en-
forced by . vigiiant and faithful Congress.
Each House 10 made the "ludge of the cleo
tlons, returns, and qualifications OF its own
members" }" and may, 'with the concurrence Of
two thirds, expel a member" When q Senator
or Representative presents his certificate OF
election, he may at once be admitted or rejected;
or, should there be any question as to his ELI
gibIlIty, his credentials may be referred foe
Investigation to the appropriate committee. II
admitted TO a seat, IL must be upon evidence
satisfactory TO the House OF which he thus
becomes a member, tha, ne possesses the requI-
site constitutional and legal qualifications. II
refused admission as member for want of due
allegiance to the Government. and returned to
his constituents, they are admonished that
none but persons loyal TO the United States
Will be allowed 2 voice in the Legislative
Councils of the Nation. and the political power
and moral influence OF Congress are thus
effectively exprted in the interests OF LOYALTY 70
the Government and fidelity to the Union.
Upon this question, so vitality affecting the
restoration of the Union and the permanency
of our present form of government, my con-
victions, heretofore expires ssed, have undergone
10 change; but, on the contrary, their correct
ness has been confirmed by reflection and time.
II the admission of loyal members 10 seats in
the respective Houses OF Congress was wise
and expedient year ago, il is no less wise
aud expedient now. If this anomalous con-
ditIoR is right now-if in the exact condition
of these States at the present time, II is lawful
TO exclude them from representation, l do not
see that the question Will be changed by The
efilux of time. Ten years hence. if these States
remain as " are, the right of representation
VIII be no stronger-the right OF exclusion VIII
be no weaker.
The CONSTITUTION OF the United States makes
il the dsIy OF the President To recommend 70
the consideration of Congress sssuch measures
as he shall Judge necessary or expedIent." /
know of no measure more imperativeIy de-
manded by every consideration of national
int
the admission of loyal members from the now
unrepresented States. THIS would consum-
mate 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 tke confidence of
the American people in the vigor and stability
OF their institutions. IL would bind US more
closely together as a nation, and enable us TO
show to the world the inherent and recupera-
tive power of a Government founded upon the
will OF the people, and established upon the
principles of liberty, Justice, and intellige CO.
Our increased strength ana enhanced pros
perity would irrefragibly demonstrate the fall
lacy OF the arguments against free institutions
drawn from our recent national disorders by
the enemies of republican government. The
admission OF loyal members from the States
row excluded from Congress, by ailaying
doubt and apprehension. would turn capital,
now awaiting an opportunity for in vestment,
into the channels of trade and industry. Ii
would alleviate the prese Mt troubled condition
Of those States, and. by inducing emigration,
aid in the settlement of fertile regions now
uncultiyated, and lead TO an Increased produc-
ton of those staples which have added SO
greatly TO the wealth of the nation and the
commerce of the world. New fields of enter
prise would be opened 70 our progressive peo-
pie, and soon the devastations OF war would
be repaired, and all traces of our domestic
differences effaeed from the minds of our coun-
trymen. q.
In our efforts TO preserve ..the unity of Gov
ernment which constitutes one people" by
restoring the States 10 the CONDITION which
they held prior to the rebellion, we should be
cautious, lest, having rescued our nation from
perils of threatened disintS Sgration, we resort
TO consolidation. and IN the end absolute des-
potism, ss a remedy for the recurrence OF sim
liar troubles. The war having terminated. and
with il all occasion for the exercise of powers
of doubtful constitutionalty. we should has
ten TO bring legislation within the boundaries
rescIibed by the Constitution, aud to returnl
10 the ancient landmarks established by our
fathers for the guidance of su uceeedIng genera
tons. "The Constitution which at any time
exists, until changed by an explicit and an
thentc act of the W hnle people, is saeredly OBJ
hgaiory upon aiL'' "If, in The opinion OF the
people. the distribution or modif cation Of the
constitutional powers be, in any particular,
wrong, let IL be corrected by an amendment in
the way in which the Constitution designates.
But let there be no change by usurpation; for''
Governments are destroyed" WASHINGTON
spoke these words TO his countrymen, when,
followed by their love and gratitude, he VOL
unfairly retired from the cares Of u bile life.
'sTo keep in all things within the pale OF our
constitutional powers, and cherish the Federal
Union as the only rock OF safety" were pre-
scribed by JEFFERSON as rules OF action to en-
dear TO his "coantrymen the true principles of
their Constitution. and promote q union Of
sentiment and action equally auspicious to
their happiness and safety" JAoxsoS held that
the action of the General Government should
always be strictly confined 70 the sphere Of its
appropriate duties, and Justly and forcibly
urged that our Government is not &c be main
tanned nor our Union preserved s.by in vasions
of the rights and powers of the several States.
In thus attempting to make our General Gov
eminent strong, we make IL weak. Its true
strength consists in leaving individuals and
States as mreh as possible to themselves; IN
making Itself felt. not in its power, but in it's
benz acence; not in its control, but in its pro-
lection; not IN binding the States more closely
to the center, but leaving eacn to move unob-
structed IN its proper 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 Hfr,
have left 70 their country the rich legacy Of
their example, their wisdom, and their pa
triotlsm. Drawing fresh inspiration from
their lessons, let us emulate them in love OF
country and respect Tor the Constitution and
the laws. 4......r. - ....
The report of the Secretary of the Treasury
affords much information respecting the rev.
enue and commerce OF the country. His views
upon the currency. and with reference TO q
proper adjustment Of our revenue system, in.
trrhal as we'll as impsst, are commended to
the careful consideration of Congress In my
last ann ual message 1 expressed my general
views upon these subjects. i need now only
call attention 10 the necess sity of carving Into
every department OF the Government a system
of rIgid accountability, thorough retrench-
ment. and wise economy. With no excep-
tonal nor unusual expenditures, the oppres.
sive burdens OF taxation can be les ned by
such a modificatIsR of our revenue laws as
will be consistent with the public faith, and
the legitimate and necessary wants of the
Government -l s-5 ..rf.l.l
The report presents q much more satisfae-
tory condition OF our finances tnan one year
ago the most sanguiRe could have antisipated.
During the fiscal year ending the 3yth June,
1865, the last year Of the war, the public debt
was increased S94I ,9G2.537, and ON the 3ist Of
October, 1855, II amounted 10 S2,74O,s5l,750. On
the 31st day OF October, 1856, 10 had been re-
duced 10 S2,55l ,3l0,CO6 the dimin ution, during
a period OF fourteen moDtbs, CONNIE naing
September 1, 1865 and ending October 81, 1855,
having been S206,3T ,565. In the last annpal
report on the stare OF the fnanc ces, IL was es-
tmafed that during the three uarters OF the
necal year ending the 3Uth of June last, the
debt would be increased Sll2,19k9i7 During
that period, however, H was reduced S3i, 1885,.
3o7, the receipts Of the year having been &S9,-
9o5, ,9c5 more, and the expenditures s20O, ,529,235
less than the estimates Nothng could more
clearly Indicate than these statements the ex-
tent and availability OF the national resources,
"A. ~xrxitf