Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1866-02-20
[From the National Intelligencer.1
To the Sovereign People.

We cannot doubt that it has now become our
duty as journalists, claiming the public good as
our cherished object, to invoke the testimony
from every loyal man that the acor has ceased
the Union has been restored, the time has come
when the States must be practically, as they
have always been alphabetically, equal IN rights,
IN inn,unities, and IN sorereigW dignity.
Either this is so, or it is not lfso, the refu-
sal of Congress to admit members elect from a
part of the common Union is revolutionary
The example is one of fearful promise. The
practical form of the question is, as to the quail
ifcations for seats of the individual members
elect. Adverse reports upon their credentials
have not been made No reports have been
made. There is, by majority mere MONACO
ton on the subject. After long hesitation, the
Clerk of the House had declined to enroll those
members elect. Thus, the ministerial act of an
inferior ofhcer-doubtless, in this instance, con-
scientiously done-has had the practical effect
10y giving opportunity to party organization
unknown to the organic law to refuse to exer
else legislative functions upon a certain and VI
tai matter) to suspend the Constitution Of the
country
Is this not fearful precedent to set? The
clerk of any future Congress may refuse to en-
roll the names of the adverse party, without re
gard to their sectional locality, and his party
might, upon assembling, organize the House
they might not even deny the validity. What
would that be called and what is the present
case else?
The truth is plain, and it ought to be heard.
Everybody knows it. To deny it is to dishonor
the mind which contrives the subterfuge of
dissent. We talk now not at the argumenta-
tion, but to the conscience of every reader. And
what is that truth? 1t is this:
The Republic Is restored IN aohole and IN ereJy
part And what is the Republic? A union of
States in which all that they have not given up
and what they have given up to the nation is
specified in the Constitution, and is to be exer-
cised by equal delegates from all the States sub
ject to its jurisdiction.
But if men have the audacity to say that the
civil war is not over, then acheo IS 1t to be Orer
Are we in the midst of civil struggle now?-
IF so, proclaim to the world that the overthrow
of the rebel armies, the abolition of slavery, and
the general amnesty conclude nothing, obligate
nothing, end nothing effect nothing that we
have defrauded the rebels into submission and
have resolved to force them into retraction Of
it. Let us confess that In every syllable of the
following heartfelt pledge of the loyal people of
the United States, made almost UNANIMOUSLY "
by Congress two days after the battle of Bull
Run, on the 23d July, 1861, and solemnized by
every drop of loyal blood ever shed since, we
were recording the gravest and most stupendous
falsehood of history. 1t was ON the faith ofthe
following that our loyal armies were raised
Those who now seek subversion of the Repub-
lie dared not then disclose such an object
Resoloed That this war is not prosecuted up
on our part in any spirit of oppression, nor for
any purpose of conquest or subjugation, nor pur-
pose Of overthrowing or interfering with the
rights or established institutions Of those States,
but to defend and maintain the supremacy of
the Constitution and all laws made in pursuance
thereof, and to preserve the Union with all the
dignity, equality and rights of the several States
unimpaired that as soon as these objects are
accomplished the war ought to cease.
Is that resolution loyQl or distoyat noao p
that is the question. We pronounce without
the least hesitation our opinion that no man is
loyal who denies the opposite, conclusive and
controlling application of the doctrine of these
resolutions noao and here We think they are
perfect test, We hope the people will open
their eyes.
The scenes of 1861 in Congress are being now
re-enacted in all their substantial elements Of
revolution, of disunion, of treason. The old
rebellion is suppressed, and the new rebellion is
in progress. 1t is only the difference of circum-
stances that makes the difference Of consequen-