Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1866-12-07
question as to his eligibility, his credentials

propriate committee. If admitted to
seat, it must be upon evidence, satisfactory
to the House of which he thus becomes
member, that he possesses the requisite
constitutional and legal qualifications. II
refused admission as n member, for want of
due allegiance to the Government, and re-
turned to his constituents, they are alrnon.
ished that none but persons loyal to the
United States will be allowed voice in
the legislative councils of the nation; and
the political powot 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 tho restoration of the
Union and the permanency of our present
form of Government, my convictions here.
tofore expressed have undergone no change;
but, on the contrary, thoir correctness has
been confirmed oy reflection and time. IF
the admission of loyal members to seats in
the respective Iouscs OF Congress was wise
and expedicnt year ago, it is no less wise
and expedient now. If this anomalous
condition is right now-if in the exact
condition of these States, at the present
time, it is lawful to exclude them from rep
resen'ation, do not see that the question
will be changed by the efflnx of time.
Ten years hence, if these Stares remain as
they are, the right of representation vii!
be no stronger-tl,e ri ght OF exclusion will
be no weaker. The Constitution of the
United States makes it the duty of the
President to recommend TO the consdera.
tion Of Congress such measures ~ he shall
Judge necessary or expedent. 1 know of
no measure more inperativcly demanded
by every consideration of national interest.
sound policy and eqnal justice, than the
admission of lcval members from now I'M
represented States. This would consum-
mate the work OF restoration, and exert
IN ost salu:ary influence in the re-es.abli>h-
ment Of peace, harmony, and fra,crnal
feeling. |, would tend greatly to renew
tue conf lence Of the American people in
the vigor and stability of their institutions.
1t would bind MS more closely together as
q nation, and enable us to show to the
world the inherent and recupera,ive pow
era. Of Government founded upon the
will Of; the people and established up
on the principles Of liberty, justice
and intelligence. Our increased strength
and enhanced prosperity would ire
fragibly demonstrate The fulacy Of
the arguments against free inslitu.
tlons, drawn from our recsut national dis
orders, BY the enemies Of republican gov.
ernnent. The admission Of loyal mem
bers from the States now excluded from
Congress, by allaying doubt and apprehen.
sion, would turn capital, now awaiting an
opportunity for investment, into the chan.
neIs Of trade end industry. 1t would allie
viate tue present troubled condition of those
States; and, by inducing emigration, aid
in the settlement of fertile regions now un-
cultivated, and lead to an increased produc
ton Of those staples which have added so
greatly to the wealth of the nation and
the commerce Of the world. New fields Of
enterprise would be opened to our progres.
sive peop:e, and soon the devasta,ions
of war would be repaired. and all ira
ces of our domestic differences efraced
from the minds of our countrymeu.-
In our efforts to preserve the unity of Gov.
which cons:itut es us one people,
BY restoring the States to the condition
which they held prior to the rebellion, we
should be cautious lest, having rescued our
nation from perils OF threatened disintegra-
ton, we resort to consolidation, and in the
end absolute despo,ism. As remedy for
the recurrence of similar troubles, the war
having terminated, and with it all occasion
for the exercise of powers of doubtful con-
stitu tionaIily, we should hasten to bring
legislation within the boundaries prescribed
by the Constitution, and to return to the
ancient landmarks established by our
fathers for the guidance Of succeeding gen.
erations. The Constitution, which, at any
time, exists uutiI changed by any explicit
and authentic act Of the whole people, is
saoTedly obligatory upon all. II, in the
opinion Of the people,, the distributitn or
modification Of the Constitutional powers
be, jig fqy particular wrong, let, il, be eor-.
rected BY an amendment. iu The way in
which the Constitution ,dssignates; but
let there be 90 change BY usurps.ion, for It
is the customary weapon by. which free
Governments are destroyed Washington
spoke these words 70 his country men.
when, followed by their love apd g,a,i.ads,
be yoluuta ariIy retineh. fro m * 49,. se :I