The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1866-12-12
McGREGOR, IOWA, WEDNESDAY, DEC 12, 1866.

ance thereof; and to preserve the unio
> with all the dignity, equality and rights g
the several states unimpaired and thai
= as soon as these objects are accomplished
! the war ought to cease
In some instances senators were permit
! ted to continue their Legislative functions
while in other instances representative
were elected and admitted to seats afte
. their states had formally declared thei
right to withdraw from the union, ant
were endeavoring to maintain that righ
by force of arms. All of the states, who's
people were in insurrection as states, wer,
included in the appOrtionment of the di
rect tax of SIC, ,OOO,O 900, laid upon the Uni
ted States, by the act approved 5th of Au
gust, 1861. Congress, by the act of Marcel
4, 1867, and by the apportionment of rep
resentation Hereunder, also recognized
their presence as states in the union ant
they have for judicial purposes been divi
ded INTO districts, as states alone can be
divided. The same recognition appears in
the recent legislation in reference to Ten
nessee, which evidently rests upon tn,
fact that the functions of the state were no
destroyed by the rebellion, but merely sus
pended and that principle is Of course ap.
lplicable to those states, which like Tennes.
see, attempted to renounce their places in
the union.
The action of the executive department
Of the government upon this subject has
been equally, definite and uniform, and
the purpose of the war was specially sta
ted in the proclamation issued by nv pre-
decessor, on the 22d day of September,
1862. 1t was then solemnly proclaimed
and declared that, hereafter, as heretofore,
the war will be prosecuted for the object
of practically restoring the constitutional
relation between the United States and
each of the states, and the people thereof
in which states that relation 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, and in the supreme, circuit
and district courts. fa.' a.. p
In the admission Of senator's and repre-
sentatives from any and all of the states,
there can be no just ground Of apprehen-
sion that persons who are disloyal will be
clothed with the powers of legislation, for
this could not happen when the constitu-
ton and the laws are enforced by a vigi-
liant and faithful congress. Each house is
made the judge of the election, returns and
qualifications of its own members, and may,
with the concurrence of two thirds, expel q
member. When q senator or representa-
tive presents his certificate of election, he
would at once be admitted or rejected or
should there be any question as to his
eligibility, his credentials may be referred
for investigation to the appropriate COM
mittce. II admitted to O seat, it must be
upon evidence satisfactory to the house of
which he thus becomes member, that he
possesses the requisite constitutional and
legal qualifications. If refused admission
as member for want of due allegiance to
the government, and returned to his con-
stituents, they are admonished that none
but persons loyal to the United States will
be allowed a voice in the legislative coun-
ellis of the nation /; and the political power
and moral influence of congress are thus
eaectqallv s1eEtsa in tha iateFsesstts. af loSq,k
union. .-......
Upon this question, so vitality affecting
the restoration of the union, and the per:
manency Of our present form of govern.
ment, my convictions, heretofore express
ed, have undergone no change but on the
contrary their correctness has been con-
firmed by reflection and time. If the ad
mission of loyal members to seats in the
respective houses of congress was wise and
expedient year ago, it is no less wise
and expedient year ago, it is nosless wise
and expedient now. If this anomalous
condition is right now-if, in the exact
L Of cSOtoc Oh tho
time, it is lawful to exclude them from
ton will be changed by the influence o.
time. In years hence, if these states re
main as they are, the right of representa-
ton will be no stronger, and the right o
exclusion will be no weaker.
The constitution of the United States
makes it the duty of the president to rec
commend to the consideration of congress
f such measures as he should judge necessa
\ ry OF cxpedient. / know 0: no measur,
imperatively demanded by every consider
3 alton of national interest, sound policy
, and equal justice, than the admission Q
. the loyal members from the now unrcpre
sented states. This would consummat
the work of restoration, and exert mos
t salutary influence in the re-establishmen
t of peace, harmony and fraternal feeling
s 1t would lead greatly to renew the conf
!, dence of the American people in the vigo
i and stability of their Institutions
= would bind US more closely together as
: nation, and enable US to show the worl
: the inherent and recuperative power of
government founded upon the will of tn
; people, and established upon the prime
e piles of liberty, justice and intelligence
: Our increased strength and enhanced pros
/, |perity would irrefragably demonstrate tn
s fallacy of the arguments against free inst
: tutions, drawn from our recent nationa
IS disorders, by the enemies of republiba
! government. The admission of 10y.
members from the states now exclude
It from congress, by allaying doubt and az
# prehensiOn, would turn capital now avail
e ing an opportunity for an investment int
d the channels of trade and industry
!. would alleviate the present troubled col
e dition of those states, and by inducing en-
1t igrants, aid in the settlement Of fertile r
l. gions now uncultivated, and lead to an il
l. creased production of those staples whic
e have added SO greatly to the wealth of Il
A. nation and the commerce OF the world
le New fields Of enterprise would be opene
g. to our progressive people, and soon the d
ID vastation Of war would be repaired, and a
rs traces Of our domestic difficulties efface
,e from the minds Of our countrymen.
d, In our efforts to preserve the unity
le government which constitutes us one pc
ts pie, by restoring the states to the cond
n ton which they held prior to the rebellie
we should be cautious lest, having rescue
,e our nation from the perils Of the threate
" ed disintegration, we resort to consolid
ID ton, and, in the end, absolute despotis1
Is as q remedy for the recurrence of simil
d. troubles. The war having terminated, NJ
with it all occasion for the exercise of po'
., ers of doubtful constitutionality, we shou
- - hasten to bring legislation within t
m boundaries prescribed by the constit9tio
:" and tn retnrn tn the ancient landmarks