Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-06-21

The minority OF the Joint Committss on Re-
construS ton, Messrs- Senator Jshnson and
Representatives, Grider and Rogers, have pre-
sentk d their views.
In order 10 obtain a correct apprehension OF
the subject, and as having q direct bearing
upon IL, they think il all important clearly 20
ascertain what was the effect Of the late insur-
rectlon upon the relations In the States W here
o. prevailed TO the General Government and
OF the people. collectively and indiv I'd pally OF
such States. Did the insurrection, ~ irs CON-
mencement. or az any subseq uent time, leeal-
ly dissolve the connection between those States
snd the General Government To ncede
that, by the illegal conduct OF her citizens,
STATE can be Withdrawn from the Union, II
But the doctrine is wholly erroneous. State
once IN the Union must still abide in /; tor
eNer-they can never withdraw from or oe ex-
pened rom II A different principle would
snolect the Union TO dissolution az any mo-
ment IL Is, therefore, alike perilous and un-
sound. Nor do the minority see that II mas sny
support IN the measures recommended ey the
m11ority OF the committee. The insurrection-
ary states are, by these measures, conceded TO
De States OF the Union. The proposed Consti-
.nuonal Amendment is 10 be submitted 20
tbem as wei as 10 the other States In this
respect each Is placed on the same ground To
consult STATE not in the Union ON the pro
lrlety OF adopting a Constitutional Aroend-
menI 10 the Government OF the Union ana
which rs nessariIy 10 affect those s,,atss oni,,
composing the Union would be an ab>urditv
ana 10 allow an amendment, which States IN
'he Union might desire, 70 b. defeated by the
votes OF the STATES not in the Union, would ~
alike nonsensical and unjust. The insure
non. now happily and utterly suppressed, has
IN no respect changed the relations of The
States here II prevailed 10 ths General Gov
eminent. On the contrary, they are 70 aIl IN
tents and purposes as completely STATES Of
the Union as they ever were 4 diferen- doc
trlpe necessarily leads 10 a dissolution of he
The minority then proceed 10 consider what
mere Is IN ne present political condition of
the southern States that lus;ifes their "a clu-
sion from representation in Congress l. AZ
because they are without organized govern
ments, or WITHOUT governments republican IN
point OF form; IN 1aci. it - known tha. thry
nave governments completely organ yad. u,irb
legislative. executive aud 1ndiclal fuuefious
II ~ known thaf tbay ara now in .usrpSsful
operation. No one within heir limits ouss-
Mons theiF loyalty, or - denied cher prO'se-
non. How they We're formed. and under hat
auspices they were formed. are rquiri.s win
which Con gress has no concern
These ana other points are argued az length,
ana the minority say, in conclusiol -. The
undersigned have nor II ought it ne..rsSary IN
exam me mt the legality Of the meats ures aeopt-
"d- either by TIE late or the present prastd.nf
lor ne restoration OF the southern state. II
IS sufficient for their purposes 70 say tnat. II
those oi President johnson were not iu-;lt!ad
by We CONSTITUTION. he same may 8. least be
said OF those OF his predecessor
ne purity 81 motive OF President Ioanson
IN ihis particular, was 20 have been sN
pected, ~ admitted by the majority OF The COM
Ili'tee to he beyond doubt; for whatever was
thelr opinion Of the uncOnS titutioualItv OF hss
course, and ITS tendency TO enlarga The lXe.-
ulye power, they tell Us that they 10 not for
a moment IMP ute 10 Esm any such design. bu.
ch' eriully concede 10 hlm the most patriotic
motives" We cannot iorbear ID say, IN con-
ciuslon, upon that point, that he Is against
lI2ht, ana closes his eyes TO Jhe course OF the
President dnrIng the rebellion, from iis Incep-
uon To lis close, who ventures 20 impeach his
patriotism. Surrounded by iusurrec ctionl~ts
be stood firm. His life was almos- constantly
IN peru, and he clung TO the THIon-and dis
charged all the obligations il Imposed npon
closer, because of the peril: ana now
that he has escaped unharmed, and hy he
confidence OF the people has had davolv.d
upon nm the Executive function of he Cow
10 charge him with diSloyaItv - either
a folly or a sland.r-:olly IN the fool ssbo b.
lieves ~: slander In the man o; sense. Al any
such there be-, who utrers AZ.