The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1866-06-14

ment
/ We now propose to restate. as briefly as possible
the general facts and principles applicable the
/ States IN rebellion.
/ First-The seats Of the Senators and Representa-
tives from the so-caIled Confederate States became
vacant the wear 1851 during the Second session Of
the XXXy Ih Congress, BY the voluntary withdrawal
OF their incumbent, with the sanction and by the di
rectou Of the Legislatures Conventions Of their
respective States This done hostile action
4 against the Constitution aud Government Of the Uui
ted states, with declared intention to overthrow the
same by forming Southern confederation. This
Of declared hostility speedily followed by
organization of the same Stats into confeieracy
which lived and waged war, by and land, against
| the United States. This continued than
four wears within which time the rebel armies besieg
ed the national capita invaded the loyal States, burn
ed their and cities robbed their citizens destroy
ed more than $50, 600 loyal soldiers, and imposed
| increased national burden of less than S3,500,-
600 600, Of which eight hundred millions
have already been met and paid. From the time that
these canieerated States thus withdrew their repre-
seutaton in Congress- and levied war the United
i States. the great of their people became and
insurgents rebels, traitors and all of them
cupied the POLITICAL legal and practical relation Of
4 mics Of the United States This position is estab
shei BY acts Of Congress and judicial decisions, and
IS recognized repeatedly by the President in public
1 procIamatious, documents aud speeches
Second-The States thu confederated prosecuted
their war against the United States to final artitra
ment and did not cease until all their armies were
captured, their military power destroy ed, their civil
officers State and Confederate taken prisoners put
flight every vistage Of State and Confederate Gov
obterated, their territory aud occu
pied by the Federal armies anil their people reduced
the condition Of enemies cgnqured in entitled
only BY pu5Iie law, such rights, privileges and
ditions ght be youcltsafeI by the conquerar.-
This position also establs he'd by Judicial decisions,
and recognized sound by the Pres dent in public
proclamatons, documents and speeches.
Third Having voluntarily deprived themselves of
representation in Congress for the criminal purpose
of destroying the Federal Union, AMI having reduced
themselves by the act of evyng to the condition
of public enemies, they have right complain of
temporary exclusion from Congress, but the
rArv having voluntarily repounced the right rep
reseutaton and disqualified themselves bv crime from
participating in the Government. the burthSu
them before claiming b. rein~ttted IN their
former condition. to show that they qualified to
resume federal relations In order % do tis they
prove that they established with the Of
the people, republican forms of government in har-
mony with the Constitution ard laws of the United
States that all hostile purposes have ceased, and
should give adequate guarantees against future trea-
and rebellion; guarantees which shall prove sat
IStactory to the Government against which they
belled, and by whose arms they were suhtued.
Fonrth-Having bv this rea sanable withdraw from
Congress, aud by fragrant rebellion and crime for
feited all civil and political rights and privileges
der the Federal Constitution, they only be
stored thereto by the permission and authority Of tht
constitutional power against which they were sub
dued-
Finh-These rebelEous enemies were conquered by
the people of the United States, acting through all tho
co-orlinate branches of the Governments aud not by
the Executive Department alone. The powers of the
arrDt in tha ba
ix and regulate the terms Of settlement, ami
fer congressional representation conquered rebels
and traitors. Nor he IN any way qualify the
mics of the Government tn exercise its law making
power. The authority to rebels political
power in the General Government could he exercised
only with the concurrence OF all the departments IN
which political power Is vested and hence the several
procamatlon> 81 the President to the people of the
Confederate States cannot be considered declared and
can only be regarded provisional permiSsjons by
tile Comma Chief Of the army 10 do certain
acts the effect and validity whereof be determin-
ed by the constitutional Government, and not solely
hy the Executive power.
Sixth The question before Congress is then,
whether conquered enemies have the right. and shall
he permitted 1T their own pleasure and own terms.
in making terms fer their conquerors whether
guerei rebels change their tleater OF operations
from the battles in which they were defeated and over
thrown, n the halls of Congress.
Seventh The history OF mankind exhibits no ex-
ample OF such madness aud folly. The instinct of
seif-PreSersaton protests against it Tie surrender
hy Gcn Grant to Ice. ana by Sherman to Johnston
would have been disasters of lass ulCntu ie for new
could have been raised battles fought AMI the
Government saved. The auij-coercive policy under
prsteNt at avoiding boodshed, allowing the rebellion
a take form and gather force Would be surpassed IN
ln.amy by the matchleSs slcketn-SS that would
render the halls OF Congress TO those so recently IN
rebellion, until proper precautions shall have been
taken TO secure the rational faith and the national
safety.
Eichth-As has been shown in this report. and in
the evidence submitted. proof has been Afforded to
congress Of constituency IN any one Of the soca'ed
Couscdcrate States unless except the az Ten
uessCc. qualified elect Senators and Representatives
in Congress. No State Constitution or amenin,nt
a State Constitution. has had the sanction ot The
people. All she sa-caed legislation ot State Conven-
tons aud Legislatures has been had under military
dictaton. 1t the President may. at his will and
der Lis authority whether military comma nder
Chief executive quality persons appoint Seua-
tors and elect Representatives, AMI empower others
elect and appoint them he hereby practically controls
the organization Of the legislative department. The
constitutional form of govcrnmentls thereby practi-
cay DESTROYED and its powers absorbed in the
tive. And while YOUR Committee do not fOr a
mant jmpute to the President any such design. but
cheeriuilY concee TO hm te most patriotic motives
thew cannot but look with alarm upon precedent
fraught with dan ger to the republic
Ninth-The necessity of providing adequate safe
guards for the future. before restoring the
ti0narv States a participation the direction OF pub
lie affairs apparent from the bitter hostility to the
ti5~errment and people of the United States vet
istlng throughout the conquered territory a> proved
incussublv BY the sStlm0ny ct many witnesses and
uniisputed facts.
Tenth-The conclusion Of your Committee, there,
~ t8e >f,-Caitef States
at present, entitled u representation the Congress
Of the United States that before allowing such rep
reseut taon. adequate security for future peace and
safety should required: that this only he fuusd
IN such changes OF the organic law shall determine
the civil rights and principles Of all citizens all
-,,rt> If tr rem }ir shall place -er-aSartsn- IN an
equitable basis, shah hx stigma upon treason and
protect the loyal people against future claims for the
expenses incurred in support of rebellion and Ter
umittsd slaves together with express s=sat u
Congress TO enforce these provjS0ns. Te this end
they o4er joint resolution for amending the Cau>ti-
taton aRd the several bills designed esFry the
same into cfsct before referred to.
CoNCLUSIeS.
Before closing this report your mUittse beg leave
that the specific recouInsn stleus submitted
bv them the result Of mutual coacesSion after
long and careful coupArlSoG ct coudsetnE opinions
| Upon question q such gniTude, Infinitely i'm
portsBt : II the future Of the Republic i need
re expected that al should think alike. Seusl
BE Of TIRE impe7fect3ons of the scheme vour commit
Tee submit % Congress the best they could agree
upcu the hope that innpeTfectlons be cured
ard its deficiencies supplied by Legislature wisdom,