The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1866-06-27
The Minority Report Of the Committee on Recon
sfructiOu.

l
day Mr.. Rogers, of New Jersey, sub
mitted the views of the minority OF the
Reconstruction Committee. 1t is
lengthy document, and is signed by Sem
ator Reverdy johnson and Representa-
tives Order, of Kentucky, and Rogers,
of New Jersey. The minority proceed
fist to consider what was the effect OF
the late insurrection upon the relations
of the States where it prevailed, to the
General Government, and of the people
collectively and individually, OF such
States. They contend that the insurrec-
ton never legally dissolved the connec-
ton between those States and the Gov
crnment. In its. nature the Govern
ment is formed of States possessing
equal rights and privileges and powers.
States unequal are not known to the
Constitution. In its original formation
perfect equality was secured. The
equality of rights was the condition OF
the original thirteen States before the
Government was formed. In every
State admitted since the Constitution
was adopted, each State is declared ito
be one of the United States, on an equal
footing of all the original States In all
respects whatsoever"
4 The minority argue at length the sta
tus of the States, and maintained thai
when State is once iii the Union sht
must abide by it forever. She can ney
er withdraw or be expelled from 1t
The majority concede this by submit
ting a Constitutional amendment t.
these Southern States the same as t.
other States. A different doctrine woult
lead to dissolution of the Union. Ih
Constitution does not give the powe
to sabiugate the State, but to suppress
the Instruction within the State, AM
, thereby preserve the State. The pow
| er is Conservative. 1t is to protect tn
State and not destroy it. In referring
) to the local governments OF the Souti
and the charge that the President llis
!, gally created them, the minority sa
. that. conceding for the arguments sax
E that this was so, does it not follow ths
# Congress is equally unauthorized to II
t terfere? Congress may admit me-
States, but State once admitted cease
c to be in it's control and can never agar
\ be brought within it. Whatever chal
ges her people may make in their Col
stitution, Congress has nothing to d
with it. :.
In abiding to representation the mi
ority say that fhe representatives, OF u
States not insurrection, if the othe
were represented, would exceed In Il
House (under the present apportlo
ment) by majority ofseven-two vote
and have a decided preponderance IN II
4 Senate. What danger to the Cover
ment, then, can possibly arise from Sou,
ern representation ? Are the Senate
and representatives fearful OF thel
selvesa Are they apprehensive tn u,
It they might be led to destruction 9! !
n, idea that the country isto be kept
.. turmoil, States toybe reduced to Don
). age, and their rights under the Con:
y. tuition denied and the rights OF their q
at zens disregarded, with, a view to t
K. continuance in power of a mere poll
is. cal party cannot for a moment De emit
he tanned without imputing gross disht
co esty Of purpose and gross derellction
81 81 duty to those who entertain 1t.
ny nv The minority claim that THERE'S no
= inc in the evidence taken to show Il
in this denial of representation should
ss made. They have complied with eve
Mt reon;rement of the President, and
~; pudiated the Rebel debt. The prop
re- ed Constitutional amendment IS iool
nd upon by the minority as impolltlc. !
e amendments suggested have no conn
70; tion with each other, and each ought
;ch have been submitted as a separate a
Gle. In discussing the legal status
of tn. local State governments OF the Sou
md the minority add, in conclusion, that
ic majority report states that : they
the nj for 4 moment impute to Presid
'ad Johnson any design to extend Execui
,' At power, hut cheerfully concede to
ed the most patriotic motives" and we
me not forbear to say, in concluding,
and that point. that he sins against Ii
Itch and closes his eyes to the course OF
ugh President during the rebellion, who
lures to impeach his patriotism.
am am life was constantly in peril, ant
M. sne clnng to the Union and discharged
,ich the Obligations it imposed upon
own aven the closer because ofthe peril,
itch now that he has escaped unframed.
tive Inv the confidence of the people has
usly deyolyed upon him the executive FL
viii ions Of government, to charge him
s'0n disloyaiity is either q folly or q 81