The Daily clarion. [volume] (Jackson, Miss.) 1866-1888, 1866-12-05
NO. l24

Il Is believed, would have accompllSne et
much towards the strengthening of our re
lations as one people, and remove seriou
causes for discomfort on the part of the in
habitants of the States. 1t would have ac
corded with the great principle enunciateC
; in the declaration of American Indepen-
dence, that no people ought to bear the bur
den of taxation and yet be denied the right
of representation that each State should
have at least one representative, and that ne
State shall be deprived of its equal suffrage
in the Senate. These provisions were in-
tended to secure 10 every State, and 10 the
people of every State that right of repre-
seutation in each house of Congress; and so
important was it deemed by the trainers OF
the Constitution, that equality of the States
in the Senate should be preserved, that not
even by an amendment of the Constitution
can any State, without its consent, be denied
a voice in that branch of the National Leg
lSlature. 1t is true ii has been assumed by
some that the existence of the States was
terminated by the rebellious acts of their
Inhabitants, and that the insurrection hav-
ing been suppressed, they We're hencetorward
tobe considered merely conquered territories.
4 The Legislative, Executive and Judicial De-
partments of the Government have, how
ever, with great diStlnctneSS and uniform
consistency, refused to sanction an assump-
/ tion so incompatible with the nature of our
republican system and with the professed
objects of the war Throughout the recent
legislation of Congress the undeniable fact
makes itself apparent that these ten polit-
zeal communities nothing less than
States of the Union. At the very COM
mencement of the rebellion, each House de-
olared, with an unanimity as remarkable as
was significant, that the war was not waged
upon our country III any spirit of oppression,
nor Tor any purpose OF conquest, subiuga-
ton, nor any purpose of overthrowing or
interfering with the rights or established
{ ..,.a = -. 4 !
and maintain the supremacy of the COnsti-
tuition, and all laws made in pursuance
thereof, and to preserve the Union with all
the dignity equality and the rights of the
several States unimpaired and that as soon
as these objects were accomplished, the war
ought to cease. In some other instances
Senators were permitted to continue their
legislative functions, while in other
cases Representatives were elected and ad-
HItted to seats after their States had for
mally declared their right to withdraw from
the Union, and We're endeavoring to main
tain that right by force of arms All of the
states whose people were in insurrection as
States were included in the apportionment of
the direct tax of $50 000,0 900 annually laid up
on the United States by the act approved 5th
August, 1861. Congress by the act of March
4th, 1862, and by the appointment ofrepre-
sentatlon Hereunder, also recognized tfeIC
presence as States III the Union, and they
j
districts as States alone can be divided.
The same recognition appears in the re-
cent legislation in reference to Tennessee
which evidently rests under the fact that
the functions Ofthe State were not destroyed
by the rebellion, but merely suspended and
that the principle is of course applicable to
other States, which, like Tennessee attemp-
ted to renOunce their place in the Union.
The action of the Executive of the Gov
ernment upon this subject has been equally
definite and uniform, and the purpose of the
war was specifically stated in the prOcla-
nation issued by my predecessor ON the 22d
day of September, 1862. 1t was then solemn
ly proclaimed and declared that hereafter as
heretofore the war would be prosecuted for
the object of practically restoring the con-
stItutlonaI relations between the United
States and such of the States and the people
thereof, in which it states that relation is
or may be suspended or disturbed.
The recognition of the States by the Ju-
dicial Department of the Government has
also been clear and conclusive i'll all pro-
ceedings affecting them as States had in the
Supreme Circuit and District Courts. In
the admission of Senators and Representa-
tives from any and all of the States there
can be no just ground of apprehension that
persons who are disloyal will be clothed
With the power oflegislatiOn, for this could
not happen when the constitution and laws
IRE enforced by vigilant and faithful Con-
gress.
Each house is made the Judge of the cleo
.lOn returns and qualifications of its own
and may, with the concurrence of
expel members. When Sena-
ltor or Representative presents his certiti-
ate of election he must be admitted or re-
ected, or should there be any question as to
lis eligibility his credentials may be referred
or investigation to the appropriate commit
zee. If admitted to a seat, it must be upon
evidence satisfactory to the house of which
le becomes member, that he possesses the
'equisite constitutional and legal qualifica-
ions Ifhe is refused admission as a mem
Der for want of due allegiance to the govern
nent, his constituents are admonlshed that
lone but persons loyal to the United States,
will be allowed a voice in the legislative
councils of the natiOn and the political pow
+ and moral influence of Congress are thus
exerted in the interests of loyalty
o the Government and fidelity to the Union.
Upon the question so vitally affecting the
of the Union and the permanency
4 our present form of government, my con-
ictiOns heretofore expressed have under
one no change, but on the contrary they
ave been confirmed by reflection and time
t the admission of loyal members TO seats
n the respective houses of Congress was
wise and eXpedient year ago, it is no less
Use and eXpedient now if this anomOIous
ondition of these States at the pre-
ent time it is lawful TO exclude
hem from representation. l do not see that
be question will be changed by the effect
f time. Ten years hence, if these States
emain as they are, the right of representa-
On will be no stronger the right of eXclu-
on no weaker. The Constitution of the
nited States makes it duty of the Presi-
ent to recommend to the consideration of
Ongress such measures as he should judge
or expedient. | know of no meas
re more imperatiYely demanded by every
Of national interest, sound pol
~ and equal justice than the admission OF
'yal members from the now unrepresented
tates. This would consummate the work
restoration; would have most saIutary
lfiuence in the establishment of peace and
and fraternal feeling. 1t would
md greatly to renew the confidence OF the
merican people in the vigor and stability
{ their institutions. 1t would bind US more
Losely together nation, and enable as
show to the world the inherent and recu-
erative power of a Government founded
Il the will of the people and established
pom the principles of liberty, Justice and
lteIligence. Our increased strength and
1hanced prosperity would certainly destroy
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