The tri-weekly news. [volume] (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1865-1876, 1866-12-08

tlons, while IN other instances Repre-
scntatives were elected aud admitted
to seats after their States hnd formally
declared their right to withdraw from
the Union, and were cndeayoring to
maintain that right by force of arms.
All of the States whose people were In
insurrcction, as States, wers included
i'll the apportionment of the Gircct tax
of twenty millions of dollars ANNUALLY
laid upon the United States by the
act approved 9Th August, 1861. Con-
gress, by the act of March, 4, 1862,
and by the apportionment ofreprescn-
tation thercundcr, also recognized
their presence as States in the Union;
and they have, for judicial purposes,
been divided into districts, as States
alone can be divided. The E.same re-
cognition appears in the recent legis-
lation in reference to Tenncsse, which
evidently rests upon the fact that the
functions of the State were notdestroy-
cd by the rebellion, but merely sus-
pended; /; and that principle is of course
applicable to those States which, like
Tennessee, attempted to renounce tb .r
places in the Union.
The action Of the Executive Department
of the GovernmenL upon this subject has
been equally definite and uniforms, and tho
purpose of the war was specifically stated
i'll tie Proclamation issued by my prede:es. :.
sor on the 22d day Of September. 1862. 1t
Pwns then socmnly proclaimed and declared
that thereafter, rs heretofore, the war will
be prosecuted for the object of practically
restoring the constitutional relation be-
tw en- the United States and each of the
States and tho people thereof, in which
States. that relation is or may be suspended
or disturbed"
Tho recognition of the States by the Ju.
dicial Department of the Government has
ALSO been clear and conclusive in alipro-
ceedings Affecting them as States. had in
the. Supreme, Cjreuib ,und Distpj0si Coas5s
In the admission of Senators aud Repre-
sentatiyes from any and all OF the States,
there can be no jus. ground OF apprehension
that persons who are disloyal will be cloth
cd with the powers of legislation for this
could pct happen when tho Constitution
and the laws are enforscd by vigilant and
faithful Congress. Each House is made
the Judge Of the elections, returns. and
qualifications Gifts own members" md
may, ''with the concurrence of two thirds,
excel n member" When q Senator or
Representative presents his certificate Of
election, he may at once be admitted or
rejected or should there be any question
as to his eligibility, his credentials may ba
referred for investigation to the appropri-
ate committee. Ii admitted to q seat, it
must be upon evidence satisfactory to the
House of which he thus becomes q member,
that tho ronniAif, m nal
and legal qualifications. III refused admis-
sion as q member for want of due allegiance
to fine Government and returned to his
constituents, they are admonished that
none but persons loyal to the United States
will be allowed voice in the Legislative
Councils Oof The Nation, and the political
power and moral infuence.of Congress are
thus effectively excrted in the interests of
loyalty to the Government and fidelity 10
the Union Upon This question, so vitality
affecting the restoration sof the Union and
the premanency of ono present form of
government, my convictions, heretofore
expressed, have undergone NO change; but,
ON the contrary, their correctness has been
confirmed by reelection and time. Ifthe
admission of loyal members to seats in the
respective Houses of Congress was wise and
cxpc1ient year ago, it is no less wise aud
CApCuiCIt ioMs ~ thlo huOulhtOuS COuultlOu
is right now--if, in the exact time it is
lawful to exclude them from representation,
DO not sne that the question will be chang
cd by the cfllux OF time. Ten years hence,
if these States remain as they are. tho riSht
of representation will be no stronger-the
right Of exclusion will be no weaker.
The Constitution of the United States
makes il the duty ofthc President TO recom-
mend to the consideration Of Congress
''such measures rs he shall judge necessary
or expe,lient." know of no measure more
imperatively demanded by every considera-
ton in national interest, sound policy, and
equal justice; than the admission of loyal
members from the now uprepresented
States This would consummatc the work of
restoration, and exert most salutary in
fiuence in the re establishment of peace, ,har-
mony, and fraternal feeling. II would
tend greatly 10 renew the confidence of the
American people, in the vigor and stability
of their institutions. 1t would bind us
more closely together as 20 nation, and
enable us TO show to The world the inherent
and retuperative power of Government
e,,nJaA ,nnn tho will .nf tho nannlo and