Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1866-03-02

should have Representatives Of their own
in Congress TO explain their condition, and
assist By fheif local knowledge in the psr-
fecting of measures Immediately affecting
themselves, while the liberty Of delibers-
ton would then be- free. and Congress
would have full power to decide according
to its judgment. There could be no OBJ
lection urged that the States most interest,"
ed had not been permitted to be heard
The principle is firmly fixed in the minds
of the American people that there could
be no taxation without approximation
Great burdens are now 10 be borne BY al
the country, and we may best demand that
they shall be borne, without a murmur
when they are voted BY majority of the.
Representatives of all the people. Would
not interfere with the unquestiorable right
of Congress to judge, each house for itself,
of the election, returns and qualifications
Of its own members; but that authority
cannot be construed as including the right
to put out in time of peace any State from
the representation to which it is entitled
by the Constitution. At present, all the
people Of the eleven States are excluded
those who were most faithful during the.
war not less than others. The State of
Tennessee, for instance. whose authorities
were engaged in the rebellion, was restored
to all her constitutional relations to the
Union. by TIE patriotism and energy of
her injured and betrayed people. Before
the war was brought to a termination, they
had placed themselves in relations with the
General Government, had established
State Government of their own. As they
were not included in the emancipation
proclamation, they, By their own acts, have
amended their Constitution so as to abolisks
slavery within the limits of their own State.
know no reason why the State of Tennes-,
see, for example, should not fully enjoy
her relations to the United States. The
President of the United States stands to-
ward the country in somewhat different
attitude from that of any member of
Congress, chosen from single district or
State. The President is chosen by the
people Of all the States Eleven States
are not at this time represented in either
branch of Congress 1t would seem to be-
his duty on all proper occasions to present
1
ways will be differences Of opinion in the
community, and individuals may be guilty
of transgression Of the laws; but these do
not constitute valid objections against the
right OF State to representation. Ii would
in nowise interfere with the discretion of
Congress with regard to the qualification
Of members, but hold il my duty to rec
ommend to you, in the interest Of peace
and in the interest Of the Union, the adj
mission of every State to its full share OF
public legislation, when. however insub-
may have been, it presents itself not only
in an attitude of loyalty and harmony, but
in tie persons of Republicans whose 10y
atty cannot be questioned under the exist
ing constitutional or legal test. 1t is plain
that an indefinite or permanent exclusion
Of any part Of the country from represcn-
tation, must be attended by spirit Of dis.
gust and complaint. 1t is uuwise aud
dangerous to pursue course of measures
which will unite any large section of the
country against another section Of the
country. no matter how much the latter
may predominant.
The course ofimmigration. Development
Of industry and business and natural
causes will raise up at the South men a.
devoted to the Union as those Of any other
part Of the land; but if they are all exclu-
ded from Congress, If in permanent
statute they are declared not to be in full
Constitutional relations to the country, they
may think they have cause to become n
unit in feeling. and sentiment against the
IGovcrnment Under the political educa-
ton of the American people the idea is
i lhcrent and ineradicable that the consens
of tile majority of the whole people IS
necessary TO secure a willing acquiescenes
in legislation.
The bill under consideration refers to
certain of the States as though they had
not been fully restored TO the United
States. If they have not, let ms at once
act together to secure that desirable end ut
the earliest possible moment. Ii is hardly
necessary for me to inform Congress that
in my own judgment most Of these States.
so far at least, as depends upon their own
action, have a.resdy been fully restored,
and are to be deemed to be entitled 10 enjoy
their constitutional rights as members Of
the Union. Reasoning from the Constitu-
ton itself, and from the actual situation
Of the country. l feel not only entitled. bat
bound to assume that, with the Federal
Courts res ored in the several States, and
in the full exercise Of their functions, the
rights aud Interests Of all classes Of the
people will, with the aid Of the mill AIRY in
cases Of resistance to the law, be essentially
protected against unconstitutional infringe
ment and violation.
Should this expectation unhapply fail,
which do net anticipate, then the Exs-
cutive is already armed with the powers
conferred by the act Of March. 1851. e.
tabi~hing the Freedmeu's Bureau, and
hereafter. as heretofore, he can employ the
land and naval forces OF the country TO
suppress insurrecjion and to overcome
Instructions to the laws.
4 return the bin to the Senate, In the
earnest hope that measure involving
questions and interests so important 10 the
country will not become law. unless upon
deliberate consideration by the people, il
shall receive the sanction Of an enlightened
public Judgment
fSigned] ANDREW JOHNSON.
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Feb. 49, 1866
NEW ADVERTISEMENTS.