The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-12-04

ed to renounce their places in the
Union. The action of the Executive
Department of the Government upon
this subject has been equally definite
and uniform, and the purpose of the
war was specifically stated in the pro-
clamation issued by my predecessor,
on the 22d of September, 1862. 1t
was then solemnly proclaimed and
declared that hereafter, as heretofore,
the war will be prosecuted for the OBJ
ject Of practically restoring the Con-
stitutional relation between the
United States and each of the States,
and the people thereof, in which
States that relation is, or may be,
suspended or disturbed. The recoo-
milton 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 Dis
trict Courts In the admission of
Senators and Representative from
any and all Of the States, there can
be no just ground of apprehension
that persons who are disloyal will be
clothed with the powers of legisla-
ton, for this could not happen when
the Constitution and the laws are en-
forced by vigilant and faithful Con-
gress. Each House is made the
judge of the election returns and
qualifications Of its own members.
and may, with the concurrence of
o-thirds, eXpel q member. When
a Senator or Representative presents
II Of l.
once be admitted or rejected; or
should there be any question as to
his eligibility, his credentials NAV
be referred for investigation to the
appropriate committee. If admitted
to seat, it must be upon evidence.
satisfactory to the House of which he
thus becomes member, that he pos
sesses he requisite constitutional and
legal qualifications. If refused ad-
mission as n member, for want of due
allegiance to the Governments, and
returned to his constituents, they are
admonished that none but persons
loyal to the United States will be al
lowed Il voice in the legislative coun-
ellis of the nation; and the political
power and moral influence of Con-
gress are thus effectively exerted in
the interests of loyalty to the Go
vernment and fidelity to the Union.
Upon this question, so vitality affect
ing the restoration Of the Union and
the permaneucy of our present form
of Government. my convictions here
tofore expressed have undergone no
change; but, on the contrary, their
correctness has been confirmed bv
reflection and time. If the admission
of loyal members to seats in the re-
spective HOUSES of Congress was wise
and expedient 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 present time, it is lawful to
exclude them from representation,
do not see that the question will be
changed by the efflux of time. Ten
years hence, if these States remain as
they are, the right of representation
will be no stronger-the right OF ex-
clusion will be no weaker. The Con-
stitution of the United States
makes it the duty Of the President
to recommend to the considera-
ton OF Congress such measures
as he shall judge necessary or expe-
dent [ know of no measure more
imperatively demanded by every con-
sideration of nauional interest, sound
policy and equal justice, than the
admission of loyal members from now
unrcpresented States. This would
consummate the work of restoration,
and exert a most salutary influence
in the re- establishment of peace, har-
mony, and fraternal feeling. 1t
would tend greatly to renew the con-
fidence of the American people in
the vigor and stability of their insti-
tutions. 1t would bind us more
closely together as nation, and en-
able us to show to the world the in
herent and recuperative powers of
Government founded upon the will of
the people and established upon the
principles of liberty, justice and in
telligence. Our increased strength
and enhanced prosperity would ire
traglbly demonstrate the fallacy of
the arguments against free institu-
tons, drawn from our recent national
disorders, by the enemies of republi.
can government. The admission of
loyal members from the States now
excluded from Congress, by allaying
doubt and apprehension, would turn
capital, now awaiting an opportunity
for Investment, into the channels of