The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-03-01

rlly passed in the absence ofthe States
chiefly to be affected. because their pco.
pie we're then contumaciously engaged
in the sebellion, Nov the case il
changed, and some at least of the States
are attending Congress by LOYAL Repre-.
sentatives,> solicting8 the. allowance of
constitutional right of representation
AT the time, howeSer, of the considera.
ton and passing of4his bill. there was
no Senator or Representative in Con.
fgress from tic plexep States which are
to be mainly affected by its provisions.
Tho very fact that reports were and are
nlade against the good disposition of the
country is an additional reason wbv
they need and shonld have representa-.
tives Of their own III Congress to explain
their condition, reply to accusations,
and assist by their local knowledge in
the perfecting Of measures immediately
affecting themselves While the lib.
erty of deliheration would then be
free, and Congress would have full pow.
er to decide according to its Judgement,
there could be no objection urged that the
States most interested had not been per.
permitted to be heard. The principle
is firmly fixed in theminls orthe Ameri.
can people that there should be no taxa.
ton. without representation. Great
burdens have now to be borne by all
the country, and we may best demand
that they shall be borne without mur.
mur when they are voted by majority
OF the representatives of all the people.
i would not interfere with the unoues.
tlonabie right of Congress to Judge each
House for itself Of the election returns
and qualifications Of its own members
but I ", authority cannot be construed
as including the rightto shut out in time
OF peace any State from representation
to which it is entitled by the Constitu
ton. Atpresent all the people of eleven
States are excluGed5-=====::hlios osa whc were
most faithful during the war not less
than others. The Stnte Of Tennessee,
Tor Instaiice,7 whose
in rebellion, was restored to all her con.
stltutlonal relations to the Union bv the
patriotism and energy Of her injured
and betrayed people before the war was
brought to termination. They had
placed themselves in relations with the
General Government, had established
State Government of their own, and as
they were not included in the Emancipa.
ton Proclamation, they, by their own
act, had amended their Constitution so
as to abolish slavery within the limits Of
their State, | know no reason why the
State of Tennessee, for example, should
not fully enjoy all her constitutional re
latious TO the United States.
The President Of the United States
stands towards the country in some
what different attitude from that of any
member of Congress who is chosen from
single district or State. The Presi.
dent is chosen by the people of all the
States. Eleven States are rot at this
time represented in either branch of
Congress! It'would seem to be his duty.
on all proper occasions, to present their
just claims to Congress. There always
will he differences OF opinionfn The com
munlty, and individuals may be guilty
OF transgressions of the law but these
DO not constitute valid objections against
The rights of a State to representation.
! would in no wise interfere with the
discretion of Congress with regard to the
qualifications Of members, but 1 hold it
my duty to recommend to you, in the
interests Of peace and8he interests ofthe
Union, the admission of every State to
It's share in public legislation when, how.
ever insubordinate, insurgent or rebel.
ous its people may have been, it pre-.
'cnts itself not only in an attitude of 10y.
llty and harmony, but in the persons Of
representatives whose loyalty cannot be
Questioned under any existing constitu.
lonal or legal test 1t is plain that an
Indefinite or permanent exclusion of any
art OF the country from representation
must be attended by spirit of disquet,
nd complaint.
ltis unwise and dangerous to pursue
course oil measures which will unite a
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