American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-12-12

sion Of loyal members to seats in the re-
spectiye Houses of Congress was wise
and expedient year ago. is no less WI Sc
and expedient now. If this anomalous
condition is right now-if, in tho exact
condition of these States at the present
time, it is lawful to exclude them IRON
representation, do not see that the ques'
ton will be changed by the effiux of
time Ten years hence, if these States
remain as they are, the right ofrepresen-
tation will be 40 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 Con
gress :'such measures as he shall judge
necessary or expedient." | know Of no
measure more imperatively demanded by
every consideration Of national interest,
sound policy, and equal justice, than the
admission of loyal members from the now
unrepresented States. This would con
summate the work of restoration, and ex
ert a most salutary influence in the res
establishment of peace, harmony, and
fraternal feeling. II would teLd greatly
to renew the confidence of the American
reople in the vigor and stability of their
institutions. 1t would bind us more close
ly together as nation, and enable US to
show to the world the inherent and recu>
perative power of Government founded
upon the will of the people, and es'ab
lisael upon the principles OF liberty JUS
tice and intelligence. Oar increased
strength and enhanced prosperity would
irtefragably demonstrate the iallacy Of
the arguments against free institutions
drawn from our recent national disorders
by the enemies of republican government
The admission of loyal members from
the States now excluded from Congress.
by allaying doubt aul apprehension,
would turn capital, now awaiting IN op,
porlunity for investment, into the chan
nels of trade and industry. II would al
IcviatC the present troubled condition OF
those States, and, by inducing emigra>
ton, aid in the settlement of fertile re
gions now uncultivated, and lead to au
increased production of those staples
which have added 50 greatly to the
wealth of the nation and the commerce
of the world. New fields of enterprise
would he opened to our progressive peo
pie, and soon the devastations of war
would be repaired, and all traces Of our
domestic differences effaced from the
minds Of our countrymen.
II off ,,raaarvp E,thn unity pt
Government which constitutes US one peo
ple," by restoring the States to the con-
dition which they held prior to the re-
bellioa. we should be can iou', lest, hly>
ing rescued oar nation from perils of
threatened disinte.ration, we resort to
consolidation, and in the end absolute des
p0tism, as remedy for the recurrence OF
similar troubles. The war having tcr>
minated, and with it all o casion for the
exercise Of powers of doubtful eonstltu
tioaality, we should hastea to bring leg
islation within the boundrics prescribed
by the Constitution, and to return to the
ancient landmarks established BY our
faith RS for the guidance o; su ceedlna
gcnerq,ions "The Constitution which at
any time exists, NATL changed by an ex
plicit aud authentic act Of the whole peo
pie, is sacrelly obligatory upon all. "lf
IN the opinion of the poop e the distribu
ton or II odiGcatiol Of the constitutions
powers be, in any particular, wrong let il
be corrected by an amen imcnt in. the way
in which the Constitution dosignates.-
But let there be no change by uSurpr>
ton; for" it is the customary weapon by
which free Governments are destroyed
Washington spoke these words to HI,
counuymen, when, followed By their love
and gratitude, he voluntarily retired i'rIm
he cares of public life, TO keep in all
things within the pale Of 0 If constitutions
al powcrs, and cherish the Federal Union
as the only rack of safety" wee pres
scribe by jefferson as rules OF action to
endear to his ''countrymcu the true prin
ciples of their Cons tuition, and promote
union Of sentiment ond action equally
auspicious to their happiness and safety .
Jackson held that the action Of the Gen
eral Government sh uld always be st tiS
coniReI to the sphere of It's appropriate
iuaes, anil justly and IorcibIy rrgca that
our Government Is not to- be nitintmned
nor our Union preserved "by inrasion5 ~
he rights and powers Of the seFeral States.
lu thus attempting to make onr Genera
Government strong, We make it weak
Its true siren tn consists IN leaving n
dividuals and States as much as possible
to themselves; in making itself felt, mol
/ Ia. its power but in It's bchtGctnce not
in It's control, but in is protection; not
in binding the States more closelyto the
Gentle, but lea ing each to rnove unob
struelel in its proper constitutional orbit,
! These are The eeachines of men whose
deeds and services have made them illus
trious, aud who, long since Withdrawn
from the scenes Of life, have left to thci
country the rich legacy of their exam
pie, their wisdom, and their patriotism
Drawing fresh inspiration firm their los
sons, let US emulate them in love Of coun
try and respect for the Constitution anC
| the laws.
The report Of the Secretary of tn,
Treasury affo,ds much Information res
pecting the revenue and commerce of tn
l. country, His Jews upon the earrency
and with reference to proper adjust
ment of our revenue system, internal a
we'll as impost, are commended TO tn
p - r.