Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1866-12-05

interfering with the rights or estab-
lished institutions of those States, but
to defend and maintain the supremacy
of the Constitution and all laws
made in pursuance thereof, and to pre-
serve the Union with all the dignity,
equality, and rights of the several
States unimpaired and that as soon
as these objects" were accomplished,
the war ought to cease" In some in
stances, Senators were were permitted
to continue their legislative functions,
while in other instances, Representa-
tives. we're elected and admitted to
seats after their States had formally
declared their right 10 Withdraw from
the Union, and we're endeavoring to
maintain that right by force of arms.
All of the States whose people were in
insurrection, as States, were included
in the apportionment of the direct tax
of twenty millions of dollars annually
laid upon the United States by the act
approved 9TH August, 1861. Congress,
by the act of March 4, 1862, and by
the spportionment of representation
hereunder, also recognized their pres
ence as States in the Union and they
have, for judicial purposes, been divi.
ded into districts, as States alone can
be divided. The same recognition APP
pears in the recent legislation in refer
ence to Tennessee, which evidently
rests upon the fact that the functions of
the State were not destroyed by the re-
bellion, but merely suspended; and
.Io8 -r;,o;11a &c of oor1rca onpGaahfa N
those States which, like Tennessee, at
tempted to renounce their places in the
Union.
The action of the Executive Depart
meAt of the Government upon this
subject has been equally definite and
uniform, and the purpose of the war
was specifically stated in the Procls-
nation issued by my predecessor on
the 23d day of September, 1862. 1t
was then solemnly proclaimed and de-
clared, that thereafter, as heretofore,
the war will be prosecuted for the OBJ
iect of practically restoring the consti-
tutional relation between the United
States and each of the States and peo-
pie thereof, in which States that rela-
ton is or may be suspended or disturb
ed"
The recognition of the States by the
Judicial Department of the Govern
ment has also been clear and conclu-
siYe in all proceedings affecting them
as States, had in the Supreme, Circuit
and District Courts.
NO DIsLoYAL MEMBERS WILL BE ADMITTED.
In the admission of Senators and
Representatives from any or all of the
States, there can be no just ground of
apprehension that persons who are dis
loyal will be clothed with the power OF
legislation for this could not happen
when the Constitution and laws are en-
forced by a vigilant and faithful Con-
gress. Each House is made the Judge
of the elections, returns, and qualiica-
tions of its own members" and may,
with a concurrence of two-thirds, ex-
pel a member" When q Senator or
Representative presents his certificate
of election, he may at once be admit
ed or rejected or, should there be any
question to his eligibility, his credent-
ials may be referred to for investiga.
ton for the appropriate committe. 1t
admitted to a seat, it must be upon ev-
idence satisfactory 20 the House OF
which he thus becomes a member, that
he possesses the requisite constitution
al and legal qualifications. If refused
admission as a member for want Of due
allegiance to the Government, and re-
turned to his constituents, they are
admonished that none but persons 10y
al to the United States will be allowed
a voice in the Legislative Councils OF
the Nation, and the political power and
moral influence of Congress, are thus
effectively exerted in the interests of
LOYALTY to the Government and fidelity
to the Union. Upon this question so
vitality affecting the restoration OF the
Union and the permanency OF our
present form of government, my con-
y1ctions heretofore expressed, have un-
dergoue no change; but. on the con-
trary, their correctness has been con-
6rmed by reflection and time IF the
admission of loyal members to seats in
the respective Houses of Congress was
wise and expedient a year ago, 1t Is no
less wise and expedient now. If this
anomalous condition is right now-if,
in the exact condition of these States
at the present time, it is lawful to ex-
cIude them from representation, l do
not see that the question will b echang-
ed by the efiux of time. Ten years
hence, if these States remain as they
are, the right of representation will be
no stronger-the right of exclusion
will be no weaker.
EFFECTS OF THE ADMISSION OF MEMBERS.
The Constitution of the United
States makes It the duty of the Presi-
dent to recommend to the considera-
ton of Congress "snch measures as ne
shall Judge necessary or expedient."-
I know Of no measure more impera.
tsvely demanded by every considera-
ton of national interest, sound pol
icy and equal justice, than the admis-
sion of loyal members frem the now I'M
represented States. This would consum.
mate the work of restoration, and ex-
ert a most salutary influence in the re-
establishment of peace, harmony and
fraternal feeling. 1t would tend great,
" to renew the confidence of the
American people in the vigor and sta.
biIity of their institutions. 1t would
bind us more closely together as a ma
ton. and enable US to show to the
world the inherent and recuperative
power of a Government founded upon
the will of the people. and established
upon the principles of liberty, justice.
and intelligence. Our increased
strength and enhanced prosperity
would irrefragably demonstrate thu
fallaoy of the arguments against free in
situations drawn from our recent ma
tional disorders by the enemies of th'
republican government. The admis
sion of loyal members from the States
now excluded from Congress, by allay
ing doubt and apprehension, woul6
turn capital, now awaiting an opportu
nifty for investment, into the channel
of trade and industry. 1t would ale
viate the present troubled condition o
those States, and, by inducing emigra
, ton, aid in the settlement Of fertile re
gions now uncultivated, and lead to al
|, increased production of those staple
which have added so greatly to tn
: wealth of the nation and the commerce
!, of the world. New fields of enterpris
!, would be opened to our progressiy.
|; people, and soon the devastations 0
! war would be repaired, and all trace
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