The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1866-12-08
TEE MESSAGE.
Full Abstract Of It's Contents

The message opens, as usual, with thanks
to Providence for peace and prosperity,
IN the abatement OF the pestilence and the
restoration Of civil authority throughout the
United States.
A review is then had OF tie facts set forth
in the last message, relative TO the measures
which the Executive had taken for the grad
ual restoration of the Southern States to the
Union, such as appointing Provisional Gov
ernOrs, etc Only one thing then remained,
the message says, to be done, and that was
the admission Of the loyal representatives
to Congress. This question was devolved
solely on Congress. In the meantime, the
President says, no other plan having been
proposed, he continued his efforts te perfect
a restoration through the judicial, revenue.
and postal systems of the country
The South had also ratified the amend
ment abolishing slavery, conlormed their
social laws to the fact, repudiated the rebel
debts and proceeded in good faith to legislate
for the amelioration Of the cOlored races
The President then speaks as follows
" Congress, however, yet hesitated to admit
any of these States to representation, and it
was near the close of the eighth month of the
session that an exception was made in favor
Of Tennessee.
q" ! deem it "a subject Of profound regret
that Congress has thus far failed to admit to
seats Che loyal Senators and Representatives
from the other States wherein the inhabitants,
with those of Tennessee, had engaged in
rebellion ten States, more than one-fOurth
OF the whole number remain without rer-
resentation. The seats Of hfty members of
the House and twenty of the Senate are yet
vacant, not by their own consent nos by a
failure Of election, but by the refusal of
Congress to accept their credentials
Their admission it is believed, would
have accomplished much toward the renewal
and strengthening of our relations as one
people, and removed serious cause for dis
content on the part Of the people of these
States 1t would have accorded with the
great principle enunciated in the Declara-
tion Of American Independence, that no
people ought to bear the burden Of taxation
and yet be denied representation. 1t would
have been in consonance with the express
provisions Of the Constitution, that each
State shall have at least one Representative
and that no State, without its consent shall
be deprived Of equal suffrage in the Senate
These provisions were intended to secure
to every State the right Of representation il
Congress, and SO important was it deemed by
the trainers Of the Constitution that the
equality of States shall be preserved in the
Senate, that not even by an amendment OIL
the Constitution can any State without it,
consent be denied voice in that branch o
the National Legislature
80 lt has. been assumed that these States b.
rebellion became Territories, but all depart
ments Of the Government with great distinct
ness, refused to sanction an assumption s.
incompatible with the nature of our Repub
Iican system, and the protested objects q
the war. Throughout the recent legislation o
Congress, the undeniable fact makes itsel
apparent chat these ten political communi
ties are nothing but States"
The President then quotes the Crittendel
.F,.Ar 80 IL IL
war, and reviews the legislation of Cor
gress wherein the States are recognized, an
also in Lincons proclamation. lie the
proceeds again, as follows
In the admission Of Senators and ReT
,resentatives from all the States there can B
no grounds Of apprehension that person
who are disioyal viii be clothed with Cd
powers Of legislation, for this could not hal
pen when the Constitution and laws az
enforced by vigilant and faithful Congress
Each House is the judge of its own member
4 senator or member may be admitted
rejected or his credentials referred to
proper committee If admitted to a seat,
must be on evidence satisfactory that
Possesses the requisite loyal and constit
tional qualifications. If refused admission
and sent to his constituents for want Of du
allegiance, they are admonished that non
but persous loyal 10 the United States wi
be allowed In The councils Of the nation. ar
the power and moral influence of Cougre
are thus effectively exerted in the interest
loyalty to the Government and fidelity to Il
Union
Upon this question, so vitality afectil
the restoration OF the Union and the pc
1nanency Of our form Of government, u
convictions, heretofore expressed, have u
dergone no change, but on the contrar
their correctness have been confirmed
reflection and time.
If the admission Of loyal members
eeals in Congress was wise aad expedient
wear ago, it i no less wise and expedite
now If this anomalous condition is rig
now-if in the exact condition of the
Stetes at the present time, it Is lawful to e
clude them from representation, do not 8
that the question viii be changed by &
effect Of time Ten years hence if the
States remain as they are the right Of n
resentatOn viii be no stronger and the rig
of exclusion viii be no weaker
The Constitution makes j. the duty of {
President TO recommend 70 the consider