Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-03-02


ded, those who where most faithful during
the war, not less than others The State Of
Ienness ee, for instance, whose authorities
engaged IN the rebellion, was restored to all
ner constitutional relations to the Union BY
4he patriotism and energy Of her injured and
betrayed people before the war was brought
to q termination. They had placed them
selves in relations with the General Govern
ment, had established at State Government
OF their own, and as they were not included
IN the emancipation proclamation, they by
their own act have amended their constitr-
ton so as to abolish slavery within the limits
OF their State. know no reason why the
State ct Tennessee, for should not fully en-
Joy all her Constitutional relations to the
United States. The President ofthe United
States stands towards the country In In a
somewhat different attitude from that of any
member of Congress chosen from single
district OF State. The President is chosen
BY the people of all the States Eleven
States are not at present represented in
either branch of Congress. Il would seem
to be his duty on all proper occasions to
present their just claims to Congress.
There always will be differences of opinion
III the community, and individuals may be
guilty of transgression the law, but these
do not constitute valid objections against
the right Of a State to representation. 1t
would in no wise interfere with the discre-
tion Of Congress- with regard to the aualii.
cation OF members but / hold it my duty to
recommend to you in the interests Of peace,
and in the interests Of the Union, the admis-
sion of every State to its share ofpllblic leg
lslatlon when however, insubordinate, insur-
gent OF rebellious, its people may have been
1t presents itself not only In an attitude of
loyalty and harmony, but in the persons. of
Representatives whose loyalty cannot be
questioned under the existing constitutional
or legal test 1t is plain that an indefinite
or permanent exclusion of any part of the
country from representation must be atten-
ded by aspirit of disquiet and complaint.
1t Is unwise and dangerous to pursue a course
of measures which viii unite any large sec
ton Of the country against another section
of the country no matter how much the lat
ter may predominant. The course of inrni-
grafton. the development of industry and
business, and natural causes will raise up at
the South men as devoted to the Union as
those Of any other part Of the land; but if
they are all excluded from Congress, if in
permanent stitutional relations to the country
they may think they have cause to becomea
unit IN feelings and sentiment against the
Government. Under the political education
of the American people, the idea isinherent
and irradicable that the consent of the ma
jority of the whole people is necessary to Sc
cure willing acquieseence In Legislation.
The bill under consideration refers to certain
Of the States as though they had not been
fully restored to the United States Hthey
have not let US at once act together to secure
that desirable end at the earliest possible
moment, it is hardly necessary for me to
inform Congress that in my own judgment,
most of those States, so far at least as de-
pends upon their own action have already
been fully restord, and are to be deemed to
be entitled to the enjoyment Of their const-
tutlonal rights as members of the Union.
Reasoning from the Constitution itself and
from the actual situation of the country, [
feel not only entitled, but bound to assume
that with the Federal courts restored in the
the several States and in the full exercise of
their functions, the rights and interests of
all classes of the people viii with the aid of
the military IN cases of insuficiency of the
law, be essentially protected against uneon-
stituti0nal infringement and violation.
Should this expectation nunhappily fail, which
l do not anticipate then the Executive is al
ready armed with the powers conferred by
the act. Of March, 1865, establishing the
Freedmen Bueau, and hereafter as hereto
fore, he can employ the land and naval for
ees Of the country to suppress insurrection,
and to overcome obstruction to the laws
return the bill to the Senate, in the
earnest hope that a measure involving Ques-
tions and interests so important to the coun-
try, win not become law unless upon deli
berate consideration by the people, it shall
receive the sanction ofan enlightened public
Judgment.
Signed