The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-08-16

| all representation W tHo OtHeE soutHCih
States. Congress has ample means of pro-
tccting itself and Of protecting the coun.
try from the presence of disloyal men in
the halls Of legislation by tho simple exer-
else of the power which each branch pos
sesscs Of deciding, without appeal, on the
qualifications of its own members. Had
the case of each individual Senator or
Representative elected frUm the ten States
lately in rebellion been taken up by itself,
and fairly considered on its own merits,
agreeable to the wise suggestions OF fre-
sident Johnson, no one could have conf
planned, whatever may have been the re-
suit. But l know not how either branch
could have consented, as It has done, to
compromise its constitutional independence
by submitting any question as to its mem
bers either to legislative or executive
discretion.
This great question Of representation is
not question which concerns only the
southern States, who know are regarded
by not few unrcenting men as having
forfeited all rights which the northern
States arc bound to respect. 1t is ques.
ton which concerns the Constitution and
the whole country. The people OF the
whole country have a right TO demand OF
their public servants an exact and faithful
observance of the Constitution and of all
its provisions. 1t was to enforce ana VIM
dictate that Constitution that their olood
and treasure have been poured out so lav-
ishlv during the last four years OF civil
war. Who could have believed, IN ad-
vance. that year and half after that war
had ended. ard after the Union had been
rescued and restored so far as our gallant
armies and navics could accomplish it,
nearly one third of the States should still
be seen knocking in vain at the doors OF
the capitol, and should be denied even a
hearing in the councils of the country 7
Such a course may, indeed, he calculated
TO prolong the predominancc of party,
| but it seems to me utterly inconsistent
| with the supremacy of the Constitution.
have no disposition, however, to In
dulCc in any imputations either upon par
ties or upon individuals. / hope that
| spirit of torbearancc and moderation Will
prevail at Philadelphia, Notwithstanding the
insulting and proscriptive tone in which the
| Convention has been asSaied by SO many
Of the opponents of the President of the
United States. But / shall be greatly dis
appointed, | confess, if, through the inilu-
cncc of that Convention, or through some
other influence, the people of the whole
country are not soon aroused to the danger
of allowing the Constitution of the United
States to be longer the subject of partial
and discretionary observance on the part
of those who are sworn to support it. 1t
is vain to offer test oaths to others if we
| fail to to fulfil our own OathS. The ne
cessities of a state Of war may be an cX-
cuSc for many irregularities, both lcglSla-
tive and executive. But now that, by the
blessing of God, state OF peace has been
restored to us, we are entitled to the Con-
stituton and the Union in all their legiti-
mate authority and extent. Nothing less
than the whole Constitution and the whole
Union ought to satisfy us. For one, should
despair OF the restoration of law and order
in ten southern States, and even of the
maintenance of our own national Gre
dit, if there should fail to be exhibited at
Washington something Of that Scrupulous
adherence to the Constitution and the laws
which characterized the earlier days of the
Republic. Nor could anything, in my judg-
mcnt, be of more influence upon the fu-
! ture career of our country than that Con-
rrcss should even seem TO be holding in
allegiance any provisions of the Constitu-
ton, until they have been changed, under
| durcss, in order to suit the opinions or Sc
cure the interests Of predominant party.
| Against such Il course Of proceedings L
trust the Convention ut Philadelphia Will
put forth Scasonablc and effective protest.
Once more rcgretting my inability to be
present at that Convention, and thanking
| all to whom | am indebted for the honor
of being named as a delegate,
remain, dear sir, with great regard,
Very faithfully yours,
ROBERT c. WINTHROP.