The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-03-01

ODJGCbtOu ~ JuiS plll. ne constitution |
imperatively declares in connection with /
taxation that each State shailhave at least |
one Representative, and fixes the rule for
the number to which in future times each
State shall oe entitled 1t also provides
that the Senate of the United States shall
be composed of two Senators from each
State; and adds with peculiar force that
no State without lis consent shall be de-
prived of its equal suffrage in the Senate
The original act was necessarily passed In
the absence of the States chiefly to be af-
fected, because their people were then
contumaciously engaged in the rebellion 4
Now the case is changed, and some at
least Of the States are attending Congress
by loyal representatives, soliciting the al
iowance of the constitutional right of rep
resentatlon. At the time, however, of
the consideration and the passage of the
bill, there was no Senator or Representa-
tive in Congress from the eleven States
which are to be mainly affected by the
provisions. The very fact that reports
were and are made against the good dis
position of the country is an additional
reason why they need and should have
representatives of their own In Congress
to explain their condition, reply to accu-
sations, and assist by their local knowl-
edge in the perfecting of measures imme-
diately affecting themselves, while the
liberty of deiberation would then be free,
and Congress would have full power to
decide according to its judgment. There
could be no objection urged that the States
most interested had not been permitted to
be heard. The principle is firmly fixed
in the minds of the American people that
there should be no taxation without rep
resentation: Great burdens are now to be
borne by all the country, and we may best
demand that they shall be borne without
murmur when they are voted by a major
ity of the representatives Of all the people
| would not interfere with the unques-
tionabIe right of Congress to Judge, each
House for itself, Of the elections, returns
and qualifications o. its own members
But that authority cannot be construed as
including the right TO shut out in.time of
peace any State from the representation
to which it is entitled by the Constitution
At present all the people of eleven States
are excluded. Those who were most
faithful during the war not less than 9TH
ers. The State of Tennessee, for instance,
whose authorities engaged in rebellion,
was restored to all her constitutional rela-
tions to the Unior by the patriotism aud
energy of her injured and BETRAYED peo-
pie. Before the war was brought 10
termination, they had placed themselves
in relation with the General Government,
had established a State Government Of
their own, and, as they were not included
IN the Emancipation Proclamation, they,
by their own act, had amended their Con
stitution SO as to abolish slavery within
the limits of their State. I know no
reason why the State of Tennessee, for
example, should not fully enjoy all her
Constitutional relations 90 the United
States
The President of the United States
stands toward the country in somewhat
different attitude from that of any mem
Der of Congress, chosen from a single
district or State The President is cho-
sen by the people of all the States
Eleven States are not, at this time, repre-.
sented in either branch of Congress. It
would seem to be his duty on all proper
occasions to present their just claims to
Congress. There always will be differen-
ces of opinion in the community, and in
QIF DS SOiit aOI ICSStOuS
of the law. But these do not constitute
valid objections against the right Of
State to representation. 1t would in no
wise interfere with the discretion Of Con
gress with regard to the qualifications OF
members but hold it my duty to re-
commend to you in the interests of peace.
and in the interests of the Union, the
admission of every State to It's share OF
public legislation, when, however insub-
ordinate, insurgent or rebelious 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 uIder exist
ing constitutional or legal test Is is plain
that an indefinite or permanent exclusion
of any part of the country from reprosen-
tation must be attended by spirit Of dis
quiet and complaint. Ii is unwise and
dangerous to pursue course Of measures
which will unite any large section of the
country against another section cf the
country, no matter how much the latter
may predominate. The course of :mmi-
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 Con
gress if in permanent statute they are
declared not to be in full constitutional
relations to the country, they may think
they have cause to become a unit in feel
ings and sentiments against the Govern
ment Under the political education of
the American people, the idea is inherent
and ineradicable that the consent of the