The Nashville daily union. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1862-1866, 1866-05-29

tween the President and the Represents
tives in Congress Of the National Union
party from which he and they have receiv-
ed their respective but co-ordir ate powers.
I agree that il is altogether easier and al
| together more desirable that the work Of re-
Cancellation so happily begun and so sue
cessfully prosecuted heretofore shall be con-
tinued and ended under the auspices Of the
National Union party, and Of the Presider t
and Congress as the representatives. Of that
party. / agree, therefore, that it would be
a sad misfortune if divergence between the
President and Congress should work de-
cline and downfall Of the National Union
party. Il is dear TO me, for l am identified
with its rapid rise, its majestic progress, and
its glorious work. Both the President and
Congress might well expect to be equally
involved in The calamity which should dis :
miss the Union party from the national
councils, and see with modification the
great responsibilities to which the party
had in that case proved itself unequal, as
sumed and discharged by some new and yet
undeTeloped political organization. But
President, Congress, statesmen, and parties
are Of no real account, in my estimation,
when weighed againBt the national life.
The national life lately hung on the issue Of
victory won in the war. 1t now hangs on
the issue Of reconciliation in peace. The
nation must live. It must live forever,
whether it receive the needed care in any
emergency at the hands Of one President,
Congress and party, OF at the hands Of an
other. / reasoned in this way about the
triumph of the war. | reason IN the same
yyay now in regard to reconciliation and
peace. ! expect that a year hence shall
be found to be right now as 1 an now ad-
milted to have been right one year, two
years, three years ago. do not think,
however, that there is any necessity for
separation between the President, the Con-
gress and the party Of the Union. / admit
that the iealousies and suspicious of the
last summer were only temporarily allayed,
not extinguished, by the elections OF No
vember. They have been sedulously cher
ished and increased until they have re-
vealed themselves in inhammatory debates
in the press and popular assem-
blies. I admit that the National
Union party in Congress has as yet
been unable either TO accept or reject the
councils Of the President. a wide and en-
during separation cannot, however, be
ms de between Cungress and the President
without having for its groove serious diff.
ference upon some cardinal political ques-
ton. At this point it will be well to settle
for yourselves what it is that we are desir-
ing to see effected by the President and
Congress. We all agree that we desire and
seek just what the nation needs at the pres
ent juncture. We cannot accept less than
this, because it would leave Us still if not
desolated, at least disturbed and distract
ed country. We cannot require more, be-
cause. even If more were desirable, yet that
more is debatesble, and must be the study
and the work not Of ourselves at this par
ticular period, but Of ourselves and our sue
cessors herea fer. What, then, does the
country actually need? Most persons say
restoration. ] think it needs no such thing.
The country is reeonstructed already. IL
w8s constructed ia I7S7. As then construct
ed it was q Union Of thirteen-since multi
piled to thirty -six-free, equal, separate,
self-acting, and in regard to internal ii
fairs, sef-governing States, We do not re-
Construct that which has not been destroyed.
There has, indeed, been an attempt at de-
struction, but il has failed. The political
system of 1857, constructed by our torefath
ers, stands now firm, compact, complete and
perfect, Just as it came from the builders
hands II was constructed not for eighty
years only; nor yet for q time Of peace on
~ nor yet for q pe-iod Of civil war only
but for al alternating conditions OF peace
and war, aud for all ages and for ali time.
Others say what the country needs IS the
restoration of the autonomy Of the nation.
] think It needs 10 scuh thing. We have
! past that point. The Southern States du-
| ring four years were deranged and disor
| esnized eQuslly in their constitutional ella
/ tions 70 tie Union. They have, however,
since that time reorganized. Their organ
| ic powers and functions have been renewed,
/ and they have resumed their constitution al
/ relation Of allegiance to the Union. What,
| then, does the nation need? 1t needs just
| what ] have dWelt upon so much, and SO
/ earnestly in these remarks.
It needs reconciliation, and just now
needs nothing more. Itneeds, moreover,
/ very little Of this. e needs q reconciliation
/ between the Senators Of the United States
| who are now acting, and those Senators
/ who, being loyal and qualified for member
/ ship Of the Senate, have been already or
NAV hereafter be elected by the people of
/ the several States which were lately in
/ volved in the rebellion. II needs recon
/ eiliation Of the same kind between the
| members Of the House Of Representatives,
| and loval members already elected or TO be
elected by the people in the same before
mentioned States. 1t needs just this Con-
| gressional reconciliation, and nothing more.
| Of course, l recognize the fact that the sepa-
ration which exists between the setting Sen
| ators and Representatives, and those loyal
/ Senators and Representatives who are al
ready or who may hereafter be elected IN
/ the Southern States, is understood 70 lndi-
/ cate a corresponding alienation between
| the constituents Of these parties lrTespect-
/ lively; but this does not affect the views
| have taken Of the case. It only shows that
what is wanted is reconciliation between
the aliepated constituents as well as be-
| tween separated Representatives. Let the
/ reconciliation be made first either in Con
/ rress or in any Of the constituencies, and it
! will follow in the other place Immediately.
| The country exhibits at this moment this
! extraordinary and interesting phenomenon
"a nation Of States, not only kindred, but
/ allied, vet hostile 10 each other. For such
! a condition, mutual reconciliation Is the only
! practical remedy. We are prepared nov 70
! ask: What hinders the application Of that
remedy in the legislative councils ?" The
/ Presidents position is absolutely taken,
| well defined and universally underg-Ood.
/ Ii Is this, namely That, so far and so fast
/ As the unrepresented States present them
| sefvesin loyal attitude, by representatives
! unouestionably loyal, they are entitled 10
/ REPRESENTATION IN Congress equally with all
/ otber States, and Just as well as Il there had
been no rebellion. The representatives of
! the Nstionsl Union party in Congress do
4 not agree with the President, but I think
/ they differ only in regard toSon essentials.
/ Some are understood 10 insist that the peo-
pie Of no State ought 10 reserve the right
/ Of secession or disunion. The President
/ saws exactly the same thing. A State
( that should claim TO reserve the
I RIGHT of secession could not be loyal.
o hers contend that after rebellion q
1 state ought rot 70 be accepted which insists
4 upon or resdmits ire validity Of The debts
/ II the rebellion. The President ssys exsct-
/ " the same thing. A state that should in
/ SIS unon the validity OF such debts eoaid
MT be lovnl Others argue that as a conse-
/ ouence 81 the abolition Of slavery, change
! Of the basis Of represe ntation hiss become
/ desirable and Necessary. Ihis can Pc d0re
/ only by amending the Constitution a the
/ United States. While Congress are yet una
be 10 agree among themselves upon the
! form OF such an amendment, the President
/ ssvst sfLet Us amend the Constitution 50 Is
| 70 u-opO ton representation lccur4.pg y
! suffrsre." This seems To- he 10 be the only
/ sssertfa,s of reaanoil aticn. Two If them
! - elresdv secured BY the unrepreseDted
| Sfa4es in their Constitutions. The third is
work Of time, requir ng the action Of
| 49, fourths Of tbs states By amendment
IA re Constitution. Way, then, the delay
oF reconciliation BY Congress, when they
av-ee mon sssentisls? With some It may
IS matter Of temper They ask Why
shauld con gress be expected % agree Wlih
the President upon his plan, rather tnan ne
be expected q sgSee Win congress upon
pan 81 be originated by thenf 81 we
because the President hiss q plan' ana Co1
gTess has as yet proposed noae3At 4S -
| rome thatis Immediately practicable, Bat
in truth i is not 8 question Which Of lhs
two, the President or Congress has devised
I nn MI u e