Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1866-12-08

hy uuu IARute % tno eeVerRl otttes uunisn-
paired and as soon as these oojectsr were
some instances Senators were permitted 70
continue their Legislative Functions, while In
other instances Representatives we're elected
and admitted to seats after their States had
formally declared their right to withdraw
from the Union, and were endeavoring to
maintain that right by force Of arms. All
of the States whose people were in insurrec1
tiDn, as States, were included in tho appor-
tionment of the direct tax of twenty mil.
lions dollars annually laid upon the United
States by the act approved 9th August, 1851. |
Congress, by the act OF March 4, 1862. and by |
the apportionment of representation there
under, also recognized their presence as |
States in the Union; and they have, tor
judicial purposes, been divided into districts,
as States alone can be divided. The same
recognition appears in the recent legislation
in reference to Tennessee, which evidently
rests upon the fact that the functions OF the
State were not destroyed by the rebellion,
but merely suspended ; and that principle is
Of course applicable to those States which,
like Tennessee. attempted to renounce their
places in the Union. ...t...tt .,t..t i
The action of the Executive Department
of the Government upon this subject has
been equally definite and uniform, and the
| purpose of the war was specifically stated
in the Proclamation issued by my prede-
cessor on the ED day of September, 1862.
1t was then solemnly proclaimed and de-
! clared that thereafter, US heretofore, the
war will be prosecuted for the Object of
practically restoring the constitutional rela,
ton between the United States and each of
the States and the people thereof, in which
States that relation is or may be suspended
or disturbed" .. .....i #.
The recognition of the States by the Ju
9icial Department Of the Government has
also been clear and conclusive in oil pro-
cecdings affecting them as States, had in
the Supreme, Circuit. and District Courts. -
In the admission of Senators and Repre-
sentatives from any and all of the States,
there can be no just ground of apprehension
: that persons who are disoyal will be cloth
ed with the powers of legislation; for this
could not happen when the Constitution
and the laws are enforced by vigilant and
: faithful Congress Each House is made the
! : Judge Of the elections, returns and qualifi-
cations of its own members" and may, with
; the concurrence of two .thir0s expel men-
ber." When a Senator or Representative
: presents bis certificate of election, he may at
! once be admitted or rejected or should
. there be any question as to his ell9lbility
= = his credential may be referred for inyestiga
tion to the appropriate committee. II ad
mitteG to seat, it must be upon evidence
: satisfactory to the House of which he thus
becomes a member, that he possesses the
; requisite constitutional and legal qualihca
tions If refused admission as member
', for want of due allegiance to the Govern
:, ment, and returned to his constituents, the.
y are admonsbed that none but persons loya
!. to the United States will be allowed a voice
y in the Legislative Councils of the nation
and the political power ano moral ipiuenc
of Congress are thus effectively exerted II
y the interests of loyalty to the Governmen
>, and fidelity to the Union. Upon this ques
j., tion. SO vitally affecting the restoration Q
- the Union and the permanency o: our pre-
sent form of government, my convictions
y heretofore expressed, have undergone n
y change but, on the contrary, their correct
ness mad been confirmed by reflection an
y time If the admission of loyal member
- to seats in .he respective Houses OF Cor
. gress was wise and expedient year ag'
!, it is no less wise and expedient now.
y this anomalous condition is right now
~ in the exact condition Of these States at tn
40 present time, it is lawful to exclude thel
. from representation, do not see that ii
a. question will be changed by the efilux {
y, " time. Ten years hence. if these States n
-, ~ main as they are, the right OF represents
~ ton will he no stronger--the right OF c.
~ - cluson will be 70 weaker r.. ..a
of The Constitution of the United Stat
Is makes it the duty of the President to recon
ne mend to the consideration of Congress ''sut
he measures as he shall judge necessary or e
ch pedent." know of no measure more in
,ly peratively demanded by every considerable
ke of national interest, sound policy. and equ
Of. Justice than the admission of loyal meu
le bers from the now unrepresented State
MA This would consummate the work of rest
,ts ration, and exert most salutary infuen
m. in the establishment of peace, harmon
ro. and fraternal feeling. 1t would tend grea
of lv to renew the confidence of the Americ,
ra. people in the vigor and stability of the
ce. institutions. 1t wonld bind us more close
nil together as q nation. and enable us to sho
IL to the world the inherent and recuprratl
,th power of Government founded upon Z
ms will Of the people, and established upon I
is. principles of liberty, justice and intel
gence.
rot Our increased strength and enhanc
nit prosperity would irrefragahly demonsirG
yes the fallacy of the arguments against free
ITS, stitntions drawn from our recent nh''"i
in disorders bv the enemies of republican 90
,ne ernmcnt. The admission of loyal mcmb
m. from the States now excluded from Congre
IN. hy allaying doubt and apprehension. swor
of turn capital, now awaiting in oppcrtun
va fnr investment. into the channels of tra
" and industry. II would alleviate the p
: of sent tronhled condition of those States, M
leir hy inducing emigration. and in the seti
nc ment of fertile regions now nncnltivat
and and lead to nm increased production of tn
nh, staples which have added so greatly tn
ON wealth Of the nation and the commerce
ties. the world New fields of enterprise wo'
reat be opened to our progressive reorle o
, NJ soon the ,levastations of war would I've
,nlc paired. and all traces of our domestic diff
and ences eifaced from the minds of our count
ion. men
the In our efforts 10 preserve "the upity
hat the Government which constitutes MS
pro- people" bv restoring the States TO the c
its dition which they held prior 10 the Rel
suf- lion, we should be cautious, lest. hav
ions rescued our nation from pefils of threaten
and disintegration. we resort to consolidati
It of and, in the end. absolute despotism, ~
ess remedy for the recurrence ofsimiiar troub
the Tho war ha yino Terminated. and with Ii