Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-12-06

their States had formally declared their riSht
TO withdraw from the Union, and were endeav-
oring to maintain that right by force OF arms.
All ofthese States whose people were in insur-
rection as States were included in the apportion-
ment Of the direct tax of twenty millions OF
dollars annually laid upon the United States by
the act approved 5th August, 1861. Congress,
by the act of March 4, 1862, and by the appor-
tioninent of representation Hereunder, also re-
coapized their presence as States in the Union
and they have, for judicial purposes, been di-
vided into districts, as States alone can be d.
vided. The same recognition appears In the
recent legislation in reference to Tennessee,
which evidently rests upon the fact that the
functions of the State were not destroyed by the
rebellion. but merely suspended and that
principle is of course applicable to those States
which like Tennessee, attempted to renounce
their places in the Union.
The action of the Executive Department OF
the Government upon this subject has been E.
qually definite and uniform, and the purpose
Of the war was specifically stated in the Procla-
nation issued by my predecessor on the 22nd
September, 1862. Ii was then solemnly pro-
claimed and declared that thereafter, as here
tofore, the war will be prosecuted for the object
of practically restoring the constitutional rea-
ton between the United States aud each OF the
States and the people thereof, in which States
that relation is or may be suspended or dis
turbed."
The recognition of the States by the judicial
Department of the Government has also been
clear and conclusive in all proceedings affect
inc them as States, had in the Supreme, Cir
cult, and District Courts.
In the admission of Senators and Represen-
tatives from any and all of the States there
can be no lust GROUND Of apprehension that
persons who are diSloyal will be clothed with
the powers of legislation; for this could not
happen when the Constitution and the laws
are enforced by vigilant and faithful Cong
ress. Each House is made the'.judge of the e.
lections, returns, and qualifications of its own
members, and may, with the concurrence OF
two-thirds, expel member" When Sena-
tor or Representative presents his certificate of
election he may at once be admitted or rejec-
ted 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 be-
comes a member, that he possesses the requis-
lite constitutional and legal qualifications. If
refused admission as a 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 voice in the Legislative Coun-
ellis of the Nation, and the political power and
moral influence of Congress are thus effective
" exerted in the interests of loyalty to the
Government and fidelity to. the Union. Upon
this question, so vitality affecting the restora-
ton 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 members to seats in the
respective Houses Of Congress was wise and ex-
pedient year ago, it is no less wise and eXpe-
dent now. IfthiS anomalous condition is right
now-if, in the exact condition of these States
at the present time, it is lawful to exclude them
from representation, do not see that the ques-
ton will be changed by the efflux of time
Ten years hence, if these States remain as they
are, the right ofrepresentation will be no stron-
ger-the right of exclusion will be no weaker.
The constitution of the United States makes
it the duty of the President to recommend to
the consideration of Congress "such measures
as he shall Judge necessary or expedient."
know of no measure more imperatively deman-
ded by every consideration of national interest
sound policy, and equal justice, than the admis-
sion of loyal members from the now unrepre-
sented States. This would consummate the
work of restoration, and exert most salutary
influence in the re-establishment of peace, har-
monv. and fraternal feeling. 1t would tend
greatly to renew the confidence of the Ameri-
can people in the vigor and stability of their
institutions. 1t would bind us more closely
together as 4 nation, and enable us to show to
the world the inherent and recuperative pow
er of a Government founded upon the will of
the people, and established upon the principles
of liberty, justice, and intelligence. Our in
creased strength and enhanced prosperity
would irrefragibly demonstrate the fallacy of
the arguments against free institutions drawn
from our recent national disorders by the enc
mics of republican government. The admis-
sion of loyal members from the States now ex-
cluded from Congress, by allaying doubt and
apprehension, would turn capital, now await
ing an opportunity for investment, into the
channels of trade and industry. 1t would al
'eviate the present troubled condition 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 OPP
ened to our progressive people, and soon the
devaStations of war would be repaired, and all
traces of our domestic differences effaced from
the minds of our countrymen.
In our efforts to preserve "the unity of Gov
eminent which constitutes us one people," by
restoring the States to the condition which they
held prior to the rebellion, we should be eau
tiouS, lest, having rescued our nation from per-
lis of threatened diSintegration, we resort to
consolidation, and in the end absolute despot-
ism, as a remedy for the recurrence of similar
troubles The war having terminated, and
with it all occasion for the exercise of powers
of doubtful conStitutionality, we should hasten
to bring legislation within the boundaries pre-
seribed by the Constitution, and 10 return to
the ancient landmarks establishetyby our ia
Tiers for the guidance of succeeding generations