The Vinton record. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1866-1891, 1866-08-23

HenyJ. Raymond, who had prepared the
Address just read.
Mr.. Patton, on behalf OF the Pennsylva-
mia delegation, seconded the call.
The chee:s were then en- Enthusiastically
given.
Three address contains about 5000 words,
ana will make not far from four solid col
umns in the New York morning papers. 1t
demands the universal acknow ledgment Of
the legitimate consequences OF the war,
VIII ich are the perpetual maintenance of the
Union and the destruction of slavery.
1t asserts next, that the Government &C
quired no new rights or powers by the war,
that It acted only on the defensive.
Congress had passed resolution, that
when the war closed. all the powers and dig.
nit. Of the States should remain unimpair.
ed and intact. ..s
The power assumed BY the Government in
the States since the war closed was in viola.
tion Of the Constitution.
The Constitution declares that no State
shall without It's own consent, be deprived
OF its equal represe ntation in the Senate.
The action of Congress denying repre-
sentation to the Southern States, appears
as great an effort to overthrow the Govern
ment as was that by armed rebellion. If
one Congress can exclude other States on
another. There is no warrant for this in
the Constitution. Not only can not repre-.
senlatives be excluded from Congress, but
no State, without its own consent. can be
deprived of equal representation in the Sen.
ate even by an amendment 10 the Consu.
tutiou.
The only pretext for the action OF Con.
gress is that the States lately in rebellion
have left their righrto representation, which
the supreme Government alone can restore.
But i is principle that no right can be for.
ieited. nor can the righbor duty Of State
TO be represented in Congress be impaired
by rebellion; only Its enjoyment Of that
privilege can be obstructed,
The address further asserts that the posi-
tion Of Congress in the matter is not war.
rhnted by the Constitution, and Is not com.
patible with the public safety.
1t is also argued that three -fourths OF the
loyal States can not change the fundamental
law affecting the others. and that we have
no right to pass judgment upon the motives
Of any citizens OF the United States when
his acts are loyal. No where are the laws
obeyed better than in The States lately 10
rebellion. The Disturbances that have oc-
Cured, were due as much to injudicious po
liIical movements as any purpose hostile to
the Government. e..
If the people OF The South show less dis.
position tha n formerly to aequiesce in the
new order of affairs, il is because Congress
has withheld their rights from ahem. II
they felt otherwise, they would be degener-
ated sons of their sires. No people ever
existed whose loyalty would not have ten
impaired by such treatment. The people Of
the South would not be worthy TO be trust:
ed in the exercise Of their rights if they
were willing to submit to such humiliation.
These men acted as they did, either from a
conviction Of right or they were Under
compulsion. For this they havs suffered
tenfold more than those who have remained
in allegiance. '.. .... . al
The. Address pledges their future obedi-
ence to The the laws. The war has swept
away slavery, the cause Of sectional va
rance and. hostilities, and has revealed
and decipled our power. The Address di-
reefs mention to the feet thar a new
Congress is soon to be elected, and adds
that if The present policy be pursued civil
war may be renewed, and calls upon eye
ry Congressional District to return only
members who are favorable to the policy
frestoratiop. ;Sr
The several committees appointed by the
Chair were then announced. r,i