Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1866-12-14

which he thus becomes a MEMBER Z
hat he possesses the requisite con- I
titutional and legal qualifications
{ refused admission as a member Tor c
want Of due allegiance to the govern
nent, and returned to his constituents,
hey are admonished that none but
persons loyal to the United States {
will be allowed a voice in the Legs
ative councils of the nation, and the
political power and moral influence OF
Congress are thus effectively exerted
in the interests of loyalty to the Gov
eminent 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 convictions, heretofore
expressed, have undergone no change ;
but, on the contrary, their correctness
has been confirmed by reflection and
time. If the admission of loyal mem
bers to seats in the respective Houses
of Congress was wise and expedlent
a year ago, it is no less wise and ex-
pedient now. If this anomalous con-
dition is right now-if, in the exact
condition of these States at the pres
ent time, it is lawful to exclude them
from representation, | do not see that
the question will be changed by the
afflux of time. Ten years hence, if
these States remain as they are, the
right of representation will be no
stronger-the right of exclusion will
be no weaker.
The Constitution of the United
States makes it the duty of the Presi-
dent to recommend to the considera-
ton of Congress "such measures as
he shall judge necessary or eXpedient. "
| know of no measure more impera-
lively demanded by every considera-
ton of national interests, sound poll
icy and equal justice, than the admls-
sion of loyal members from the now
unrepresented States. This would
consummate the work Of restoration,
and exert most salutary influence
10 the re-eStablishment of peace, har-
mony and fraternal feeling. 1t would
tend greatly to renew the confidence
Of the American people i'll the ylgor
and stability of their institutions. 1t
would bind us more cIosel y together
as 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 estab-
lished upon the principles of liberty
Justice and intelligence. Our increas
ed strength and enhanced prosperity
would irrefragibly demonstrate the
fallacy Of the arguments against free
, institutions drawn from our recent
national disorders by the enemies Of
+ republican government. The admis
sion of loyal members from the State,
, now excluded from Congress, by allaY
c ing doubt and apprehension, woull
, turn capital, now awaiting an oppor
I tunity for investment, into the channels
/ OF trade and industry. 1t would al
a leyiate The present troubled condition
: Of those States, and, by inducing emf
+ grafton, aid in the settlement of fer
+ tile regions NOW uncultYated, ant
f lead TO an increased production OF
e those staples which have added 5,
h greatly to the wealth of the natiol
5 ana the UUmmUroo of tho world. -
Il New fields of enterprise would b.
J. opened to our progressive people
+ and soon the devastations of wa
e would be repaired, and all traces O.
:. our domestic differences ef1accd iron
l. the minds Of our countrymen.
J. In our efforts to preserve tn
II 'unity of government which const
5, tutes us one people" by restoring tn
e States to the condition which the
n held prior to the rebellion, we shout
e be cautious, lest, having rescued on
II nation from perils of threatened disir
d tegration, we resort to consolidation
he and In the end absolute despotism, a
H. a remedy for the recurrence of simila
Ii troubles. The war having termina
in ed, and with it ali occasion for til
ID exercise of powers of doubtful const
* tutionality, we should hasten to brin
" legislation within the boundaries PR
Re scribed by the Constitution, and t
- return to the ancient landmarks e
b. tablished by our fathers for the gu
If dance OF succeeding generations
O. "The Constitution which at any tim
ne exists, until changed by an explic
al and authentic act of the whole pet
IS. pie, is sacredly obligatory upon all
ne "lf, in the opinion of the people, tt
e. distribution or modification of I'll
n constitutional powers be, in any pa
he tlcular, wrong, let it be corrected /
te an amendment in the way in which ii
n. Constitution designates. But |,
n there be no change by usurpation
Sc for sit is the customary weapon /
IT, which free governments are destro
be ed. Washington spoke these wore
to his countrymen, when, followed /
their love and gratitude, he yolunt
~ rily retired from the cares of publ
no life. "To keep in all things with
III the pale of our constitutional power
af and cherish the Federal Union as I'll
d only rock of safety" were prescribe
III by Jefferson as rules of action to e
~ dear to his "countrymen the tru
III principles of their Constitution, an
g promote union of sentiment and q
l' ton equally suspicious to their hapE
" ness and safety" jackson held TIN
IL, the action of the General Governmel
~ should always be strictly confined
- - the sphere of its appropriate dutie
'u and justly and forcibly urged that OF
Government is not to be maintaine
oy nor our Union preserved "by inv
W. slonS of the rights and mowers of II