The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-21
CONGRESS and the Excluded States-What
Their Representatives Ought to DO.
From the Her0ld.

From the Herald.
There Is no telling when the Representatives
and Senators elected to Congress from the late
Rebel States will be admitted. There Is but a
shadowy prospect during the present session,
even for the unquestionably loyal members from
Tennessee, a State which was reconstructed
under the appointments and supervision of Pre-
sident Lincoln. AS for the other States of the
late Rebel Confederacy, their chances of restora-
ton this side of the next Presidential contest are
exceedingly doubtful from present appearances.
Meantime the Reconstructien Committee of Mr..
Thaddeus Stevens and Senator Fessenden have
1t all their own way. They produce their wit
neases to prove the deneerous disloyaty prevail
ing in all the excluded States, and the testimony
thus collected is published and sown broadcast
over all the country; and all this time the
Southern Senators and Representatives elect
(most inteTested) are denied q hearing on the
floor oil either house.
Thus situated the question naturally recurs,
is there no way whereby these men May present
their CLAIMS and the claims of their respective
States before Congress and the country! Yes:
there is the simple and popular medium OF a
convention, through which they may be heard.
Let all the Senators and Representatives elected
to Congress from the lately rebellious States,
then, meet together in Washington, or Some
other convenient place IN the form of a conven-
ton, Tor the eeAsideraton of their present posi-.
tion, aHd the course best adapted to secure the
recognition oi the claims OF their several States
to an early readmission into Congress. la such
q convention the discussion of what the States
interested have done, what they are doing, and
what they expect to do, as loyal members OF the
Union, under the new order of things, would
contribute, no doubt, vast amount Of useful
Information TO Congress and the people of the
Northern States. Finally, in the shaping OF a
memorial TO Congress, submitting their claims
and asking what additional safeguards and
securities Ter the Union and the freedmen will
be deemed sufficient 0 reopen the doors OF Con.
gress to the South, the convention may bring
the Reconstruction Committee at least to a clear
understanding.
Such az understanding would be great point
gained; for we are all in doubt as to what condi
lions precedent will satisfy the present Congress
OF the htness OF the excluded States To a restora
ton to both houses. Nor can the people Of those
States act intelligently or with any assurance o
success, in reference to Congress- without kno "
ing the conditions they will be required to meet
In this view, therefore, Ii in no other the con
yention indicated would be good movement
Indeed, we think that some such proceeding mas
become necessary TO secure the defendants il
the premises fair and full opportunity to lal
their claims before Congress and the country
and to secure If possible, a statement OF the con
| ditons essential to a readmissiOn OF the latt
Rebel States into the national councils. NJ,
| hope that the Representatives and Senators cleo
| from those States will act upon this suggestion
| We know of nothing better that they can nov
! undertake in behalf OF themselves OF their con