Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-01-18
Mr.. Latham on Reconstruction.

On Monday the 9Th instant, the House of
Representatives being in committee of the
whole
Mr.. LATHAM, of West Virginia, made his
maiden speech arguing that the rebellion was
never limited by State lines, but its authority
was extended only as far as its power could
carry it. He, therefore. protested against the
use of the expression that the States were out
of the Union. 1t was a portion of the people
who inaugurated Government antagonistc to
that of the United States The States of Vir-
gnia Tennessee, and Arkansas were no more
in rebellion when the rebel hordes operated in
them than were the States of Maryland, Penn
sylyania, Kentucky, and Missouri, when they
were invaded and placed in sin circum-
stances. The rights of protection to the loyal
citizens everywhere were the same under the
Constitution. The House had been told by
Union men. par excellence, that the States lately
in rebellion were out, of the Union but look
on the stars and stripes which wave on this
Capitol. Did the House endure a Haunting
lie" in its presence ? The number of States of
the Union is represented on that tiag-none are
deficient.
He announced that he was in favor of restor
ing the State governments as they existed be-
fore they were overthrown by the rebellion.
subject only to such changes and conditions as
would conform to the present state of the Ma
tional Government. They had not less than
twenty different propositions presented as guar
antees. He did not know what they were.-
He could see no necessity for so much constitu-
tional amendment. If further amendment
were necessary, it would be better to have a
convention at once. That instrument should
not be changed for slight causes. What he
objected to was the determination on the part
of some of the members of this House to refuse
representation to these Southern States until
the amendments in question are secured. lie
wanted the dominant party to continue their
control of national affairs, as they deserved to
do and they would perpetuate this power II
they should act wisely and justly but if they
prevented the loyal minority from participating
in the affairs of the Government until the
amendments are made, the Constitution, instead
of being the character of liberty, would become
an instrument of oppression. The people
would never sanction amendments to the Con-
stitution merely to benefit or advance the mere
interests of a party. He repeated that he
would admit Southern representatives but the
applicants must be loyal-loyal all the time
and all the way through, and must take the
test oath. This, however, would not be bar
to further investigation. He must also be sat
isfied as to>whether the constituency were suffi-
GENTLY loyal, and whether the States from
which they came could support republican
government, in harmony with the Government
of the United States, withought the support of
the military authorities. Each applicant for
a seat should stand on his own merits. Such
as are qualified should be admitted. Restora-
tion, he thought, had been retarded, and the
questions complicated by civil power being
re-established too soon with whitewashed re-
bels.