The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-12-11

voice Ill the Legislative Counclls or tne
Nation, and the political power and moral
influence of Congress are thus effectively
exerted to the interests of loyalty to the
Government and fidelity to the Union.
Upon this question, so vitality affecting the
restoration of the Union and the permanen-
cy of our present form of government, my
convictions, heretofore expressed, have un-
dergone no change; but, on the contrary,
their correctness has been confrmsd by re
Election and time. If the admission of 10y
al members to seats in the respective Houses
of Congress was wise and expedient year
ago, it is no less wise and expedient now.
If this anomalous condition is right now
| if in the exact condition of these States at
the present time, it is lawful to exclude
them from representation, do not see that
the question will be changed by the efflux
of time. Ten years hence, if these States
remain as they are, the right of representa-
ton will be no stronger-the right of ex-
clusion will be no weaker.
The Constitution of the United States
makes it the duty Of the President to re-
commend to the consideration of Congress
"such measures as he shall Judge necessary
or expedient." | know Of no measure more
imperatively demanded by every consider
alton Of national interest, sound policy, and
equal justice, than the admission of loyal
members from the unrepresented States.
This would consummate the work of resto-
ration and exert a most salutary influence
in the re-establishment of peace, harmony
and traternal feeling. 1t would tend great
ly to renew the confidence of the American
people in the vigor and stability of their
institutions. 1t would bind us more closely
together as nation, and enable US to show
to the world the Inherent and recuperatiye
power of Government founded upon the
will Of the people, and established upon the
principles of liberty, justice and intelligence.
Our increased strength and enhanced pros
perity would irrefragibIy demonstrate the
falIacy of the arguments against free insti-
tutions drawn from our recent national
disorders, by the enemies of republican
government. The admission ofloyal men,
bers from the States now excluded from
Congress, by allaying doubt aud apprehen-
sion, would turn capital, now awaiting an
opportunity for investment, into the chan
nels of trade and indu try. 1t would ale
yiate the present troubled condition of
those States, and, by inducing emigration
aid in the settlement of fertile regions now
uncultivated, and lead to an increased pro-
duction of those staples which have added
So greatly to the wealth of the nation and
the commerce of the world. New fields Of
enterprise would be opened to our pro-
gressivc people, and soon the devastations
of war would be repaired, and all traces of
our domestic differences efaced from the
minds of our countrymeu.
In our efforts to preserve the unity of
Government which constitutes us one
people" by restoring the States to the con-
dltion which they had prior to the rebellion,
we should be cautious, lest, having rescued
our nation from perils of threatened disinte-
grafton, we resort to consolidation, and in
the end absolute despotism, as a remedy
for the recurrence of similar troubles. Tue
war having terminated, and with it all oc-
caslon for the exercise of powers of doubt
tul constitutionality, we should hasten to
bring legislation within the boundaries pre-
scribed by the Constitution, and to return
to the ancient landmarks established by
our fathers for the guidance of succeeding
generations. The Constitution which at
any time exists,until changed by an explicit
and authentic act of the whole people, is
sacredly obligatory upon ALL IF, in the
opinion of the people, obstruction or mod
ification of the constitutional powers, be in
any particular wrong, let it be corrected BY
an amendment in the way in which the con-
stitution designates. But let there be no
change by unsurpation; for" ait is the Gus
tomary weapon by which free Governments
are destroyed" Washington spoke these
words to his countrymen, when followed
by their love and gratitude, he voluntarily
retired from the cares of public life. To
keep In all things within the pale OF our
constitutional powers, and cherish the Fed
eral Union as the only rock Of safety, were
prescribed by Jefferson as rules of action
to endear to his "countrymen the true
principles of their Constitution, and pro-
mote a union of sentiment and action
equally suspicious to their happiness and
safety" Jackson held that the action of
the General Government should always be
strictly confined to the sphere of its ap-
proprlate duties and Justly and forcibIy
urged that our Government is not to be
maintained nor our Union preserved "by
Invasion of the rights and powers of the
several States. In thus attempting to
make our General Government strong, we
make 1t weak. It's true strength consists
IN leaving individuals and States as much
as possible to themselves; in making itself
felt, not in IFS power, but in its beneicence; :;
not in its control. but in its nrotaction. not