The Newberry herald. [volume] (Newberry, S.C.) 1865-1884, 1866-12-12

ton Hereunder, also recognized
their presence as States in the
Union; ; and they have, for judi
cial purposes, been divided into
districts, as States alone can be
divided. The same recognition
/ appears in the recent legislation
in reference to Tennessee, which
evidently rests upon the fact that
the functions Of the State were
not destroyed by the rebellion,
but merely suspended and that
principle is Of course applicable
to those States which, like Ten
nessee, attempted to renounce
their places in the Union.
The action Of the Executive De-
partment ofthe Government up
on this subject has been equally
| definite and uniform, and the
purpose Of the war was specifically
stated in the Proclamation issued
by my predecessor on the 22d
day Of September, 1862. 1t was
| then solcmnly proclaimed and de-
clared that "hercafter, as hereto
fore, the war will be prosecuted
for the object of practically res
toring the constitutional relation
| between the United States and
each of the States and the people
thereof, in which States that rela
tion is or may be suspended or
disturbed"
The recognition Of the States
by the Judicial Department Of the
Government has also been clear
and conclusive in all proceedings
affecting them as States, had in
the Supreme, Circuit and Dis
trict Courts.
In the ADMISSION Of Senator's and Repre-
seutat;ves from any and all of the States,
there can be no just ground of appre-
hension that persons who are disloyal
will be clothed with the powers of legis-
lation for this could not happen when
the Constitution and the laws are en-
forced by q vigilant and faithful Con-
gress. Each House is made the 'judge
| of the elections, returns, and qualitca-
tions of it's own members" and may
with the concurrence of two-third>,
expel member" When Senator or
Representative presents his certificate
of election, he may at once be admitted
or rejected; or, should there be any
question as to his eligibility, his Gre
denti4ls may be referred for investigation
to the appropriate committee. If ad-
mitted to seat, it must be upon evidence
satisfactory to the House of which he
thus becomes a member, that he pos
seSses the requisite constitutional and
legal qualifications. If refused admis-
sion as member for want Of due alle-
glance to the Government, and returned
to his constituents, they are admonished
that none but persons loyal othe United
States will be allowed voice in the
Legislative Councils of the Nation, and
the political power and moral influence
of Congress, are thus effectively exerted
in the Interests ofloyalty to the Govern
ment and fidelity to the Union. Upon
this question, SO vitality affecting the
| restoration OF the Union and the perman-
ency Of our present form Of government,
my convictions, heretofore expressed,
have undergone no change; but on the
contrary, their correctness has been con-
| frmed by reflection and time. IF the
admission Of loyal members to seats in
the respective Houses Of Congress vas
wise and expedient year ago, it Is no
! less wise and expcdient now. If this
anomalous condition is right now-if, in
! the exact condition of these States al the
present time, it is lawful to exclude them
| from representation, | d. not see that
the question will be changed by the
efflux of time. Ten years hence, ifthese
States remain as they are, the right Of
representation will be no stronger-the
right Of exclusion will be no weaker.
TfsE NECESSITY FOR SPEEDY RESTORATION.
The Constitution of the United States
makes it the duty of the President to re-
commend to the consideration of Con-
gress "such measures as ne shall judge
necessary or expedient." | know If no
measure more imperatively demanded by
every consideration of national interests,
sound policy, and equal justice, than the
admission Of loyal members from the
now unrepresented States. This would
consummate the work of restoration, and
exert most salutary influence in the
re-cstabliShment of peace, harmony, and
fraternal feeling. 1t would tend greatly
to renew the confidence of the American
people in the vigor and stability of their
institutions. 1t would bind US more
closely together as nation, and enable
US to show to the world the inherent and
recuperative power Of a Government
founded upon the will of the people, and
established upon the principles ofhberty,
Justice, and intelligence. Our increased
strength and enhanced prosperity would
irrefragably demonstrate the fallacy OF
the arguments against free institutions
drawn from our recent national disorders
by the enemies of republican govern
ment. The admission of loyal members
from the States now excluded from Con-
gress, by allaying doubt and apprehen-
sion, would turn capital, now awaiting
an opportunity for inv estment, into the
channels of trade ard industry. 1t would
alleviate the present troubled condition OF
those States, and by inducing emigration,
aid in the settlement of fertile regions
now uncultivated, and lead to an in
creased production ofthose staples which
have added so greatly to the wealth of
the nation and the commerce of the
world. New fields Of enterprise would
be opened to our progressive people,
and soon the devaStations of war would
be repaired, and all traces of our domestic