The Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, S.C.) 1866-1891, 1866-11-07

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Of, in which States that re.ation IS or
may be suspended or disturbed"
The recognition of these States by
the Judicial Department Of the Gov
ernment has also been clear and con-
elusive in all proceedings affecting them
as States, had in the Supreme, Circuit,
and District Courts.
In the admission of Senators and
Representatives iIom any and all Of
the States, tllcre can he no just G-ound
of apprehension that persons who are
disloyal will be clo;hed with the pow
CTS of legislation; for this could not
happen when the Constitution and the
laws are enforced by a valiant and
faithful Cons icss. Each House is made
the ''iudge OF the elections, returns,
and qualifications Of its own members, "
al.u may "with the concurrence of two
thirds, expcl a member" When a
Senator or Representative presents his
I.certifcate Of election, he may at once
be admitted or rcjcctcd; or. should there
be any question as to his eligibility, his
credentials may be referred for invest
CATION to tho appropriate committee.
If admitted to seat, it must be upon
e1 .dence satisfactory to the House OF
which lie hus becomes member, that
he possesses tho requisite constitution
al and legal qualifications.
If refused admission as-a member
for want of due allegiance t. tho Gov
crnment, and returned to his :constitu-
ents, they are admonislled that none
butpersons loyal to the United States
will be allowed voice in the Leg isla-
tive Cluncils of the Netion, and the po-
litical power and moral Influence Of
Congress are thus effectively excrtod in
the interests of loyalty to tho Govern
ment and fidelity to the Union: Up
on this question, SO vitality affecting the
restoration of the Union and the per-
manency Of our present form of gov
ernment, my convictions, heretofore
expressed, have undergone no change;
but to the contrary, their correctness
has been confirmed by reflection and
time. II the admission Of loyal mem
bers to seats in he respective Houses
of Congress was wise and expedient a
year AGO, it is no less wise and expe-
dent now If, in the exact condition
of these States ut tho present time, it is
lawful to exclude them from represen-
tation, T do not see that iho question
will he changed by the fIlux Of time.
Ten years hence, ifthese States remain
as they are, the right Of representation
will bo no stronger right Of cx,
clusion will be no$wealler.
The Constitu ion Of the United States
males it the duty of the President tc
recommend to the consideration Of Con
gress 'such measures as he shall judge
necessary or expedient." I know Of ne
measure moro imperatively demanded
by every consideration of national inter.
est, sound policy, and equal justice.
than the admission Of loyal members
from the now unYepresented States
This would consummate the .yoak o5
restoration, and exert most salutary
influence in the re-estab,ishinent 6!
peace, harmony, and fraternaF feeling
It would tend greatly to renew the
confidence of the American people in
the vigor and stability of their institu-
tions. It would bind us more closely
together as nation; and enab1e' us to
show to the world the inherent and re.
cuperative power ola Governmentfoan.
ded upon the will of the people, and es:
tablishcd upon the principles oflibTty;
Justice, and intelligence. Our inczeased
strength and enhanced prosperity;would
irreiragably demonstrate the fa1lacy O.
tie Arguments against free institutions
drawn from our recent national disor
ders by the enemies Of republican gov
ernment. The admission Of loyal l:ncm
bcrs from the Statesnow excluded from
Congress, by a1'aying doubt audteppre
hension, would turn capital, now avail
ting an opprulity for investment, int
; the channels Of trade and industry. l
would alleviate the pie'ent troubled
condition Of those States, and by indu
cling emigration, aid in the settlement
of fertile regions now uncultivated; ant
and lead to an increased production O.
those staples Which have added &c
greatly to the wealth of the na;ien and
commerce Of tho world. New fields o:
enterprise would be opened to our pro
grcssivc poop'e, and soon the devasta
tions Of war would be repaired, aDd al
traces ofour domestic differences eGaced
from the minds Of our countrymens
In our efforts to preserve 'thespnitJ
of Government which constitutes Us one
people, by restoring tho States TO the
condition which,they heA priofrtotthe
rebellion, we should be cautious, lest
having rescued our nation from periIs
Of threatened disinteeration, we reso1'
to consolidation and in the eni. abso.
lute desDOtism. as q remedy for the re-