The West Virginia journal. [volume] (Charleston, W. Va.) 1864-1877, 1866-06-06
In thus distinctly recognizing the con

gross to judge ofthc election, return
and qualifications Of its own members
the President has conformed to tho plair
lctter OF the Constitution. 1t being tn
function Of each House to judge Of tn
election returns and qualifications Of it
own members, tho obligation is implied
Of taking testimony, weighing evidence
and deciding the question Of membership
What testimony has been taken, or wha
evidence has been presented on the ques
ton to either branch of Congress, or wha
judgment is to be given, is not known K
me, nor have l tho right Of enquiriOg
Besides the steps tuken by tho Executive
to restore tho constitutional relations o.
States, his annual message calls the at
tention Of Congress to tho necessity o
insuring the security Of the freedmen
reminding Congress that while be hat
no doubt that the General Government
could not extend tho elective franchise
it was equally clear that good faith re-
quires security to the freedmen in their
liberty and their property, their right to
labor and'their right to claim a just re-
turn for their labor, and observing fur.
ther that the country is in need oflabor
and that the freedmen are in need Of
employment and protection.
In connection with this subject the
President further remarks: Slavery was
essentially q monopoly Of labor. Free
labor was the property Of the capitalist
White men were excluded. from employ.
ment, or had but tho second best chance
of finding it, and tho foreign cmigran'
turned awuy from tho region where his
condition would be prccurious."
These views of the President in rcla'
ton to the freedmen received, and con.
tinuo to receive, my hearty concurrence
They have guided the actions Of the Wur
Department, and are substantially udvo.
Gated in its annual report.
A bill wus passed by Congress regula.
ting the Frecdmcn's Bureau, but the
provisions Of the bill did not meet the
Presidents approval. He believed the
power conferred upon him, and upon
tho agents to be appointed by him, to be
unwise and unconstitutional. Concur
ring iu the object Of tho bill aud regard
ing this power as temporary, and that il
would DO safe in his hands, | advised itt
approval but Eaving been returned T.
Congress with tho Presidents objections
and having failed to receive tho nocdfu
support, It, IL no longer liring measurc
nor the subject Of debate, or cf fd!0tre"cc q
opinion.
Another Congressional measure, called
tho Civil Rights Bill, has been the sub.
ject Of conflict. That bill, now law,
has for its object the security Of civil
rights in the iusurrcctionary States. 1.
was we'll observed BY tho President in
his annual message, that peaceful emf
grafton to and from that portion Of the
country, the Southern States, is ono ol
the best means that can be thought oil
for the restoration Of harmony. It is
possible interference with such cmigra.
tion was the only chief objection to mil.
itary rule, and by somo it is thought that
the influence Of class legislation in favor
of tho slaveholding monopoly heretofore
existing 10 tho Southern States would be
strongly excited to prevent ponceful en-
igration into these States, and would cx.
cludo the laboring population Of the
North from that soil Of exubcrunt fcrtil
ity and friendly climate, that productive
region, embracing eight or nine States
nearest tho Gulf Of Mexico, and that
hence civil rights in these States should
DO vigilnntly protected by Federal laws
aud Federal tribunals. Although the
measures enacted by Congress for this
purpose failed 10 receive the Executive
sanction, yet having been adhered to BY
n two.third, voto 10 each House, the,
haze now passed to The statute book, ana
ceased to be a subject Of debate.
Another measure, or series Of meas
ures Of prime importance, now pending
before Congress, merits brief remark
namely, tho plan Of restoration or re
construction, as it is sometimes called
TO tho plaa reported by tho Joint Com
mi,tee havo not boon able 10 give my
assent. 1t contemplates au nmcndmen
to tho Federal Constitution, the tbirc
section Of tho proposed article being IL
these terms. Here the amendment wa
quoted.
1t is urged by the abct:o:s Of this plar
that this third section is the vital ono
without which the others are Of ne
value. It's exclusive action will, NJ
doubt, commend it to the feelings O.
many as wise and just provision, but
am unable so to regard it, because fo'
four years it bids Congress to exclude
from voting for RepreScp tatives or Pres
identiul electors ell persons who volun'
tarily adhered to the late instruction
giving it aid or comfort, no matter wha
NAV be the condition Of tho country
nor what proofs Of present and future
loyalty may be given. An absolute bal
is to bc erected for four years against I
large GLASS Of persons. A change Of cir
cumstancss and condition often works I
rapid change in party aud political sen
timents. aud nowhere with moro marked
result than 10 tIe South. It is believed
that the elements of change arc now q