The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-04

SaaISN thSIL IlBub tO VVlLlQraW from
the Union, and were endeavoring to
maintain 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 twenty millions of dollars annually
laid upon the United States by the Act
approved August 9th, 1861. Congress,
by the Act of March 4th, 1862, and bV
the aPportlonment of representation
hereunder, also recognized their pres-
ence as States in the Union; and thew
have, for Judicial purposes, been di-
vlded into districts, as States alone can
be divided. The same recognition ap-
pears in the recent legislation in refer
ence to Tennessee, which evidently
rests upon the fact that the functions
OF the State were not destroyed by the
rehelllon, but merely suspended; and
that principle is, of course, applica-
bic to those States, which like Tennes-
see, attempted to renounce their places
in the Union.
The action of the Executive Depart
ment of the Government upon this sub
ject has been equally definite and uni-
form, and the purpose of the war was
specifically stated in the proclamation
issued by my predecessor on the 22d
of September, 1862. It was there SOL
EMMY proclaimed and declared
that hereafter, as heretofore, the
war will be prosecuted for the
object of practically restoring the
constitutional relations between the
United States and each of the States
and the people thereof, in which States
that relation is, or may be suspended
or disturbed"
The recognition of the States bv the
Judicial Department of the Government
mas also been clear and conclusive in
al proceedings affecting them as States,
mad in the supreme, circuit and district
courts.
In the admission of Senators and
| Representatives 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 pow
ers oflegislation; for this could nothap-
pen when the constitution and the laws
are enforced by Vigilant and faithful
congress. Each House is made the Judge
OF the elections, returns and Qualfica-
tlons OF its own MEMBERS" and may,
with the concurrence of two-thirds,
e%Pel member" When a Senator or
| Representative presents his certificate
of election, he may at once be admitted
or rejected; or, should there be uny
| question as to his eligibility, his ere.
dent1alS may be referred for inYestiga-
uon to the appropriate committee. II
admitted to seat, it must be upon evi
dence satisfactory to the house ofwhich
hV bhhS bSCOu4eS IlGulDET, LluL lie
| possesses the requisite constitutional
and legal qualifications. Iirefused ad-
! mission as member for want of due
allegiance to the governments, and re-
turned to his constituents, they are adj
| monished that none but persons loyal
TO the United States will be allowed n
voice in the legislative councils of the
nation, and the political power and
| moral influence of Congress are thus
effectively exerted in the interests of
loyalty TO the government and fidelity
to the Union. Upon this question, so
vitality affecting the restoration of the
Union and the permanency of our pres
ent form of government, my convic-
tlons, heretofore expressed, have un-
dergone no change; but on the contra
ry, their correctness has been con-
tirmed by reflection and time. If the
admission of loyal members to sents in
the respective Houses of Congress was
wise and eXpedient a year ago, it is no
less wise and eXDedient now, If this
anomalous condition is right now-if in
the exact condition of these States ut
the present time, it is lawful to exclude
them from representation, 1 do not
see that the question will be changed
by the ettluX of time. Ten years
hence, if these States remain as they
are, the right of representation will be
no stronger-the right of exclusion
will be no weaker.
The Constitution of the United States
makes it the duty of the President to
| recommend to the consideration of
Congress 'tsuch measures as he shall
judge necessary or eXpedient." / know
of no measure more lmperatiVelY de-
manded by every consideration Of ma
tional interest, sound policy and equal
justice, than the admission of lOyal
| members from the now unrepresented
States. This would consummate the
work of restoration. and exert most
salutary influence in the re-establish-
ment of peace, harmony and fraternal
| feeling. 1t would tend greatly to re-
new the confidence of the American
people in the Vigor and stability of
their institutions. It would bind us
more closely together as II nation, and
enable us to show the world the inhe-
rent and recuperative power of a gov
ernment founded upon the will of the
people, and established upon the prin-
Ciples of liberty, justice and intelIi-
gence. Our increased strength and en-
hanced prosperity would irrefragably
demonstrate the fallacy of the argu-
ments against free institutions drawn
from our recent national disorders by
the enemies of Republican Govern
ment. The admission of loyal mem
bers from the States now excluded from
Congress, by allaying doubt and appre-
hension. would turn capital now await
ing an opportunity for investment, into
the channels of trade and industry. II
would alleviate the present troubled
condition of those States, and by induc-
ing immigration, and in the settlement
of fertile regions now uncultivated,
and lead to an increased production of
those staples which have added so
greatly to the wealth of the nation
| and the commerce of the world.
New fields ofenterprise would be OPEN
oil 10 nnnn1n mud
the deVastations of war would be re-
paired, and all traces of our domestic
differences effaced from the minds of
our countrymen.
In our efforts to preserve "the unity
of Government which constitutes us
one people," by restoring the States TO
the condition to which they held prior
to the rebellion, we should be
cautious, lest, having rescued our ma
ton from perils of threatened disinte-
grafton, we resort to consolidation,
and in the end absolute despotism, as u
remedy for the recurrence OF similar
troubles. The war having terminated,
and with it all occasion for the eXer-
cIse of powers of doubtful cOnstiIu.
Iionality, we should hasten TO bring
legislation within the boundaries pre-
scribed by the Constitution, and to re-
turn to the ancient landmarks estub-
lished by our fathers for the guidance
| of succeeding generations. "The Con-
stitutiou which at any time exists, un-
til changed by an explicit and authentic
act of the whole people, is sacredly
obligatory upon all" "If in the opin-
ion of the people, the distribution or
modification of the constitutional pow
ers be, in any particular wrong, let it
be corrected by an amendment in the
way in which the Constitution desig-
mates. But let there be no change by
I usurpation; for" sit is the customary