The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-12-06

Congress OF the United States. Courts
had been opened for the enforcement of
the laws long in allegiance. The block
ade had been removed, custom houses
re-established, and the internal reye-
nue. laws put in force, in order that the
people might contribute to the national
income. Postal operations had been
removed, and efforts We're being made
to restore them to their former condition
OF efficiency. The States themselves
had been asked to take part in the high
function of amending the Constitution,
and of thus sanctioning the extinction
of African slavery as one of the legiti-
mate results of our internecine struggle.
Having progressed thus far the Exec
utive Department found that it had ac-
complished nearly all that was within
the scope of its constitutional authority.
One thing, however, vet remained to be
done before the work of restoration
could be completed, and that was the
admission to Congress Of loyal Senators
and Representative from the States
whose people had rebelled against the
lawful authority of the General Govern
ment. The question devolved upon the
respective Houses, which, by the Con-
stitution, are made the judges of cleo
tons, returns and qualifications of their
own members and its consideration at
once engaged the attention of Congress.
In the meantime, the Executive De-
partment-no other plan having been
proposed by Congress-continued its
efforts to perfect, las faras was practicable.
the restoration Of the proper relations
between the citizens Of the respective
States, the Statesss and the Federal Gov
eminent, extending from time to time.
as the public interests seemed to require.
the judicial revenue, and postal systems
of the country. With the advice and
consent ofthe Senate, the necessary Off
GERS We're appointed, and appropriations
made by Congress for the payment of
their salaries. The proposition to amend
the Federal Constitution, so as to pre-
vent the existence ofslavery within the
United States or any place subject to
their jurisdiction, wits ratified by the
requisite number of States, and on the
18th day Of December, 1860, it was oflic-
tally declared to have become valid as a
part Of the Constitution Of the United
States.
All of the States in which the insur-
rection had existed promptly amended
their constitutions, SO as to make them
conform to the great change thus etfec-
ted in the organic law of the land; de-
clared null and void all ordinances and
laws of secession; repudated all pretend
ed debts and obligations created for the
revolutionary purposes of the insurrec
ton; and proceeded, in good faith, to
the enactment of measures for the pro-
lection and alnelioration of the condition
of the colored race. Congress, however,
yet hesitated to admit any Of these
States to representation; and it was not
until towards the close of the eighth
month of the session that an exception
was made in favor of Tennessee, by the
admission of her Senators and Repre-
sentatives.
| deem it a subject of profound regret
that Congress has thus far failed to adj
nit to seats loyal Senators and Repre-
senatatives from the other States, whose
inhabitants, with those of Tennessee,
had engaged in the rebellion. Ten
States-more than one-fourth of the
whole number-remain without repre-
sentation; the seats of fifty members in
the House OF Representatives and of
nv aty members in the Senate are yet
vac;tnt-not by their own consent, not
by failure of election, but by the re-
fusal OF Congress to accept their creden-
tials. Their admission, it is believed,
would nave pllSIlet iuucIl lOWdIuS
the renewal and strengthening of our
relations as one people, and removed
serious cause fer discomfort on the part
of the inhabitants of those States.
1t would have accorded with the great
principles enunciated in the Declaration
of American Independence, that no peo-
pie ought to bear the burden of taxation,
and yet be denied the right of represen-
tation. 1t would have been in conso-
nance with the express wish of the Con-
stitution, that teach State shall have at
least one Representative" and ''that no
State, without its consent, shall be de-
prived of its equal suffrage in the Sen
ate" These provisions were intended
/ to secure to every State and TO the peo-
pie Of every State, the right Of repre-
/ sentatiou il, each House Of Congress;
and SO important was it deemed by the
/ Trainer, OF the Constitution that the
equality Of the States in the Senate
should he preserved, that 10. even by
an amendment of the Constitution can
amy State. without its consent, be denied
Il voice in that branch of the National
} Legislature.
1t is true, i, has been assumed that
! the existen,.,, OF the States was termina-
! ted bv the rehellious acts OF their inhab-
/ ;t,pt.. npJ CHAT thA iNs,,rrs.cfiOll having