The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1866-03-02
VETO OF THE FREEDMEN'S
BUREAU BILL.
CONCLUDED.

declares lii connection with
taxation. that each state shall have ut
least one representative, and fixes the rule
for the number to which in future times
each state shall be entitled. 1t also pro-
vldes that the senate OF the United States
shall be composed Of two senators from
each state; and adds with peculiar force
that no state without its consent shall be
deprived OF its equal suffrage in the senate.
The original act was necessarily passed i'll
the absence of the states chiefly to be al.
tecled. because their people were then
contunaciously engaged in the rebellion.
Now the case is changed, and some of
the states are attending Congress by 10y
al representatives, soliciting the allowance
OF the constitutional right OF representa-
ton. AT the time, however, of the con-
'lderatlon and passage of the bill there
was no senator OF representative in Con-
gre>S from the eleven states which are to
be mainly affected by the provisions
The very fact that reports were and are
made against the good disposition of the
country is an additional reason why they
need and should have representatives, OF
their own in Congress to explain their
condition, reply to acquisitions and assist
by their local knowledge i'll the pertcciing
OF measure, Immediately affecting them
selves, while the liberty OF dcliberation
would then be ,rce, and congress would
have full power 10 decide according to its
best jud4mrnt There could be no obiec-
ton urged ihat the states most interested
had lol i.eca permitted to be heard The
princlplc is firmly fixed i'll the minds OF
the American people that there should be
no taxation without representation.
Great burdens are now to be borne by all
the country, and We may best demand
tI,at they snail be borne without murmur
when they are voted by Il majority Of the
rcprc~, nialivcs OF all tie people. | would
NOT interfere with the unquc:tiunabl,'
right OF Congress 10 lud sc. each house for
itself, OF the elections. returns and quaiti-
catlon~ of liz own members. But that
authority cannot he construed as including
the II .:it to slut out in time OF peace any
state from thu representation to which ii
Is entitled by The constitution. At pres
cnt ali tie people OF the eleven states are
excluded. Those who We're most faithful
lurin" The war not less than others. The
state of Tennessee. for instance whose
authorities engaged III rebellion. WAS re-
stored to I'LL h,r constitutional relations to
ihe mon by ihc patriotism and encr9v
Of her injured and betrayed people. Be
lore the war was brought to Il terminal
ton they had placed themselves i'll relation
with the general government. had c>tab-
II>hCd Il state government of their own.
and, a> they were not inclnded i'll the
emancipation proclamation. they. bv their
own act. had amended their constitution
80 rs to abolish slavery within the limits
of their state know no reasons why
he state OF Tennessee, for example, should
not fully ENJOY all her constitutional rcla-
lions to the United States.
The President of the United States
stands toward the country i'll a somewhat
different attitude from that of any mem
Der OF Congress, chosen from Il single dis
trct or state The President Is cho>c,
by the people of all the states, Eleven
states are not, at this time, Represented III
either branch OF Congress. 1t would
seem to be his duty on all proper occasions
10 present their Just claims to congress-
There always will be differences of opin-
ION i'll the community, and individuals may
be guilty. of trans"res>onS of the law
But these do not constitute valid Oblcc-
tion> against the right ct Il state to rep
rcScntation 1t would lii no wise inter
ltrc with the discretion OF congress with
regard TO the qualification OF members
bat | hold it my duty to recommend tl
Won III the interests OF peace, and i'll tn,
interests of the Union, the admission OF
every State to its share OF public lc"i>la-
tiol.. when. however, insuborlinatr. in
,urgcnt OF rebelious people may have
been, ii presents Itself not only IN ;n at.
,itudc Of loyalty and harmony, but in th,
persons o. representatives whose lovalt,
cannot be questioned under eXi-tin" con
>tllulional or legal test 1t Is plain tha
;n indefinite u permanet exclusion OF an,
part oi the country from representation
mrot be attended by a spirit OF disquie
;,nd complaint 1t is unwise and danger
Gus to pursue course of measures which
will unite any large section of the coun
! try against another section of the country
10 matter how much the latter may pre-
dominate The course of immigration
the development Of industry and buslnes
and natural causes will raise up at ,h
South men as devoted to the Union a
those of any other part of the land Blu
il they are excluded from Congress if il
Il permanent statute they are declared no
to be in full constitutional relations to th
country, they may think they have eau,
to become a unit III feeling and sentiment
against the government. Under the pc
litical education of the American people
the idea is inherent and ineradicabl
that the consent of the majority of tn
whole people is necessary to secure will
ing acquiesccnce in legislation. The bi
under consideration refers to certain of tn
states as though they had not s. been full
restored in all their constitutional relation
to the United States. If they have no
, let us at once act together to secure tn;
desirable end at the earliest possible me
ment 1t is hardly necessary for me
, inform Congress, that, in my own jud: