The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1866-05-23

should have precisely the same latitude of
inquiry as if the applicant were from New
Jersey, and no more. Whether there wss
such political body as the State Of Vir-
ginia was matter which did not admir- 81
inquiry, because it was settled by the Con-
stitunon. Whether the Legislature Of VII
GINA was a lawful body might be a proper
subject of inquiry, in the absence sf'tke
express recognition Of this fact by the ex-
ecutive and legislative departme nts Of the
Government, in the instance Of the amend
ment abolishing slavery. Such action by
these two great departments would seem
TO be conclusive on the committee as ,othis
fact.
We object, then, with all respect, TO the
course which both Houses Of Congress have
seen fit to pursue on this subject. We ab.
ject that each House did not, Id pursuance
Of the power expressly conferred, and by
the Contribution, to act as "jodge" Of the
elections Of its members, Investigate ID the
case Of each applicant the right Of such ap-
pIicant to seat, acting for itself and By
itself.
We object that it referred the general
subject Of reconstruction, including the
| right of the claimants OF seats, TO Joint
commit'ee, which necessarily involves great
delay. when, according to the spirit Of the
Constitution. the States were entitled to a
reasonably prompt decision of the rights Of
the persons sent as Representatives and
Senators to their seats.
We object. then. that this question Of
the rights Of certain individual claimants
to seats in the Congress should be inv olv-
ed in the general questions Of policy IS TO
what, if any, amendments of the Constitu-
tion should be made.
Instead Of being kept out Of Congress
because the question Of amending the Con-
stitution is to be considered by Congress.
we think that Is an additional resson why
the Representatives and Senators from the
seeded States should occupy their seats;
because they. in behalf OF The States they
represent. should participate in the prepa.
ration OF the amendments to be submitted
10 the States.
The Committee on Reconstruction pro.
pose that the amendments, reported by
them Tor the approval Of Congress. shall
be submitted to the Southern States. IL
/ they are entitled TO vote upon the amend
ments why should they not have the privi-
lege Of the other States, and join 10 the de-
liberations upon them in the Congress?
II the seeded States are States in the
Union--which no one seems 10 dispute.
and as such are entitled TO vote on the
proposed amendments 10 the Constitution,
why concede 10 them this great right. IN
the imperfect form Of voting upon the a.
mendment. without havingabeen permitted
to Join in the deliberations from which the
anne ndment sprungi
In every point Of view we object. then.
to the action of Congress in refusing To
consider whether the applicants from South
err States are entitled to their seats. IS
i IL there be any duty mure pressing upon
each House than snother. IL is the deter
mination Of the right Of applicants to their
seats. The Constitution has conferred
] great powers of government upon Congress.
but these powers are TO be exercised by
Representatives and Senators from all the
States. The first great paramount ques-
tion before every new Congress is 10 de-
termine who are the members Of both
Houses. This question should. in the logic
of events, take precedence Of all others. IL
I i on the same principles that when meet
Il ing Of ministers or ambassadors takes place.
the FIRST question before all others is the
veri6cation Of their powers. The 6rst do
" OF Congress, in assembling in Decem-
Der, should have been likewise to verify
their powers. All who were entitled TO
seats in Congress should have been. with
as little delay as possible. admitted. be-
cause they were the depositaries OF :he
powers Of the country.
To do otherwise, 10 20 on exercising the