The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1866-12-14

war. Throughout the recent legiSla-
tiOn of Congress, the undeniable fact
makes itself apparent, that these ten
political communities are nothing less
than States of this Union. At the very
commencement of the rebellion each
House declared, with a unanimitv as
remarkable as it was significant, that
the war was not "waged, upon our
part, in any spirit of oppression, nor
for any purpose Of conquest or subjuga-
ton, nor purpose of oVerthrowing or
interfering with the rights or establish
Ell institutions Of those States, but to
defend and maintain the supremacy of
the Constitution and all laws made in
pnrsuanc' thereof, and to preserve the
Union with all the dignity, equality
and rights of the several States unin-
paired and that as soon as these OBJ
Jects We're accomplished the war
ought to cease"
In some instances Senators were per-
mltted to continue their legislative
functions, while in other instances Re
presentative5 were elected and admit
ted to seats after their States had for
maily declared their right to withdraw
from the Union, and were endeavOring
to maintain that right by force of arms.
All of the States whose people We're in
instruction, as States, were included
in the appOrtionment of the direct tax
Of twenty millions of dollars annually
laid upon the United States by the act
approved 9Th Of August, 1861. Con-
greSS, by the act of March 4th. 1862.
and by the apportionment of Repre-
sentatives Hereunder, also recognized
their presence as States i'm The Union:
and they have, for judicial purposes,
been divided into districts as States
alone can be divided. The same re-
cognitiOn appears in the recent legisla-
ton in reference to Tennessee. which
evidently rests upon the fact that the
functions OF the State were not destroy
ed by the rebellion, but merely sus-
pended and that principle is, of course
applicable to those States which, like
Tennessee, attempted to renounce their
places in the Union.
Acti0R Of the Executive.
The action of the Executive branch
of the Government upon this subject
has been equally definite and uniform,
and the purpose Of the war was speciti-
cally stated in the Proclamation issued
by my predecessor on the 22d day of
September, 1862. 1t was then solemn
ly proclaimed and declared that "here-
after, as heretofore, the war will be
prosecuted for the object of practically
restoring the constitutional relations
between the United States and each of
the States, and the people thereof, in
which States that relation is or may be
S1lSpppdp6 ar Disturbed -
The recognition Of the States by the
Judicial Department Of the Govern
ment has also been clear and conclu-
sive, in all proceedings affecting them
as States, had in the Supreme, Circuit
and District Courts.
Southern C03{gressme31.
In the admission of Senators and Re-
presentatives from any and all the
States there can be no just ground. of
apprehension that persons who are dis
loyal will be clothed with the powers
Of legislation for this could not hap
pen when the Constitution and laws
are enforced by a vigilant and faithful
Congress. Each House is made the
'judge of the elections, returns, and
qualifications of its own members" :"
and may, with tn concurrence of two
thirds, eXpel a member" When a
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 eligi-
bility, 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 become
member, that he possesses the requisite
constitutional and legal qualifications.
If refused admission as a member for
want of due allegiance TO the Govern
ment, and returned to his constituents,
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 effectively exerted in the in
terests Of loyalty to the Government
and fidelity to the Union. Upon this
question, 50 vitality affecting the resto-
ration Of the Union and the pcrma-
nency of our present form of govern
ment. my convictions, heretofore eX-
pressed, 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 eXpedient a
wear aro. il is no less wise and eXpedi-
ent now. If this anomalous condition
is right-if, in he exact condition OF
these States at the present time, 1t IS
lawful TO exclude them from represen-
tation, ! do not see that the question
will be changed by the eflluX Of time.
Ten wears hence, if these States remain
as they are, the right of representation
will be no strOnger-the right OF eX-
cIusion will be no weaker.
Demand for the Adn7jSsiOR Of "L0ydP'
,SOtahegneTS.
The Constitution of the United States
makes it the duty Of the President to
recommendto to the consideration ofCon-
oress "such measures as he shall judge
necessary or eXpedient." know OF
no measure more imperatlVelY de
manded by every consideration OF ma
tional interest, sound policy and equal
iustice, than the admission OF loyal
members from the now unrepreSented
States. This would cOnsummate the
work Of restoration, and exert most
salutarv influence in the re-establish-
meut Of peace, harmony and fraterna!
feeling. 1t would tend greatly to re-
new the confidence OF the American
neonIe in the vigOr and stability
If their institutions. 1t would bind
ms more closely together as nation,
and analIa Us to show to the world the
i,,hnrant and recuperative power Of a