The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-07-13

ration has been governed. The attempt was
made to destroy the national integrity by sece3-
sion, or the voluntary withdrawal of a State
from the Union has been defeated, and war has
forever exiinguished the heresy of secession.
On the suppression OF the Rebellion. measures
were promptly commenced TO re.establish those
traternal relations which had for four years
been interrupted. The policy initiated by Pre-
sldent Lincoln to restore national unity was
adopted and carrid forward by President john
son. the States which had been in Rebellion
were under this benign policy resumng their
legitimate functions. The people had laid
down thsir arms, and those who had been
in insurrection were returning to their ale
glance.
The Constitution had been vindicated, and
the Union was supposed to be restored, when a
check was put upon the progress to national
harmony and prosperity thus dawRing upon the
country. On the assembling of Congress all
efarts towards union and nationality became
suddenly paralyZed, the measures of reconciha-
ton which the President had, from the time he
entered upon his duties, pursued with emf
nent success, were assailed, andltheir Denedcent
purpose to great extent defeated. Attempts
were made to impose conditions precedent
upon States before permitting them
to exercise their constitutional rights. Loyal
Senators and Representatives from the States
which had been in rebellion we're refused Bdmit-
tance into Congress- the people were denied the
right ul constitutional representation, and eleven
States were and are excluded from all participa-
tion in the Government These proceedings,
which conflict with the fundamental principles
on which our whole governmental system is
founded, are generating and consolidating Sec
tional animosity, and II long persisted In must
eveLtuate in permanent alienation.
| rejoice, therefore, in movement which has
for its object the Union in one bond of love of
the people of our common country, and which
invites to council and to political action the clt-
Zens of every State and Territory from the At
lantic to the Pacific, and from the lakes to
the Gulf. The cenualizng theory that the
loyal and qualified Senators and Represen-
fufiu of al. na
cluded from Congress, and that those States
and this people or those States shall not partici-
pate in the Government is scarcely less repug-
nant than that of secession itself. Propositions
to change the Constitution and unsettle the
foundation pTinc pies of our organic law. to
| change cur judicial system in such manner
as to destroy the independence OF the States
| by insidiously transferring to the Federal
| tribunal all questions relating 10 the life,
liberty, and prosperity of the citizen" To
| change the basis of representation,
which was one OF the difficult and
delicate compromises of the Convection of 1887,
| when no states were excluded from representa-.
| ton; to change the existing and wisely adjusted
distribution of power between tho different de-
partments OF the Government by transferring the
pardoning power IN certain cases from the execu.
tive. where it properly belongs, to Congress or
| the Legislative branch of Government 10 which
| it does not legitimately pertain to incorporate
| into our Constitution which is to stand Though
| all time, a prescription of citizens who have
| erred and who are liable to penalties under
existing enactmen's, by disquali6cltions par.
taking Of the uature of er pos, tdcto laws and
| bills of attainder. These propositions changes
| aggregated as one, and callei an amendment 10
the Constitution designed to operate on the
people. The people and States which are de
| MED ali representation or voice in the Congress
which originated them, are OF a radical if not
revolutionary character. These aud othel
| proceedings and the political crisis which they
have tended to produce, Justify and aemand
convocation or the people by delegates from al
the States and from the whole country.
| The President has labored with devoted
assduity and fidelity to promote union har
mony, prosperity and happiness among the
| people, but has met with resistance, misrepre
| sentation, and calumpy, where be had O right
| to expect co operation and friendly support
That the great body Of our people are earnestly
and cordially with him in his efforts to pro
| mote the national welfare have never doubted
Notwithstanding the hostility OF maevolen
| politicians stimulated by party organizations.
| Very respectfully GIDEON WELLBs.
Hon. j. R. DoOhttle, Washington, D. c.