The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1866-12-08

loyalty to his Government and fidelity
to the Union. Upon this question, SO
vitality affecting the restoration Of the
Union and the permanency or our
present form of government, my con-
victions, heretofore expressed, have
undergone no change; but, oil the CON
trary, their correctness fas been con-
firmed by reflection and time. If the
admission of loyal members to seats in
the respective Houses of Congress was
wise and expedient year ago, 1t 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
cfiluX of time. Ten years hence, if
these States remain as they are, the
right of representation will be no strong
er--the right of exclusion will be no
weaker.
EFFECTS OF SUCH ADMISSION,
The Constitution of the United States
makes it the duty of the President to
recommend to the consideration of Con-
gress such measures as he shall Judge
necessary or eSpedient." know of no
measure more imperatively demanded
by every consideration of national in
terest, sound policy, and equal justice,
than the admission of loyal members
from the now unrepresented States. This
would consummate the work of restora-
ton, and exert a most salutary influence
in the re-establishment of peace, har-
mony, and fraternal feeling. 1t would
tend greatly to renew the confidence of
the American people in the vigor and
stability of their institutions. 1t would
bind us more closely together as a ma
tion, and enable us to show to the
world the inherent and recuperative
power of government founded upon
the will of the people, and established
upon the principals of liberty, justice,
and intelligence. Our increased strength
and enhanced prosperity would ire
fragably demonstrate the fallacy of
the arguments against free institu-
tions drawn from our recent nation
al disorders by the enemies of re-
publican government. The admission
now excluded from Congress, by allay-
, ing doubt and apprehension, would turn
capital, now awaiting an opportunity
for investment, into the channels of
trade and industry. 1t would alleviate
the present troubled condition of those
States, and, by inducing emigration,
aid in the settlement of fertile regions
now -uncultivated, and lead to an in
creased production 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 bic opened to our progressive peo'
, pie, and soon the devastations of war
would be repaired, and all traces of oul
! domestic differences effaced from the
minds Of our countrymen.
e CONSOLIDATION TO BE AVOIDED.
i; In our efforts,to preserve the unity of
Government which constitutes us one
5 people," by restoring the States to the
r condition which they held prior to tht
: Rebellion, we should be cautious, lest
having rescued our nation from peril'
= of threatened disintegration, we resort
). to consolidation, and in the end absolute
t despotisin, as a remedy for the recur
: renee of similar troubles. The war hay
+: ing terminated and with 1t hll occasion
!, for the exercise of powers of doubtful
g constitutionality we should hasten t.
= bring legislation within the boundaries
prescribed by the Constitution, and t.
return to the ancient landmarks cstab
l. lished by our fathers for the guidance
of succeeding generations. "The Con
: stitution which at any time exists, unit
n changed by an explicit and authentic
: act of the whole people, Is sacredly oh
q ligatory upon ALL" If, in the opinion
! of the people, the distribution or modi
/, tication of tile constitutional powers be
: in any particular, wrong, let it be cor
rected by an amendment in the way il
! which the Constitution designates. Blu
: let there be no change by usurpation; fol
p it is the customary weapon by which freC
governments are destroyed" Wash
q ingtcn spoke these words to his coun
trymen when, followed hy their low,
q and gratitude, he voluntarily retireC
: from the cares of public life. "To keel
in all things within the pale of our con
stitutional powers, and cherish the Fed
!. eral Union rs the only rock of safety
were prescribed by jefferson as rules OF
] action to endear to his countrymen thC
. true principles of their Constitution
and promote Union Of sentiment ant
action equally auspfcious to their hap
: piness and safety" jackson held tina
, the action of the General Government
a should always be strictly confined t
the sphere of its appropriate duties, ant
\ Justly and forcibly urged that our Gov
ernment is not to be maintained nor ou
Union preserved "by invasions of TIL,
> rights and powers of the several States
:. In thus attempting to make our Genera
Government strong we make it Weak
a Its true strength consists IN leaving in
"a dividuals and States as much as possible
. to themselves; in making itself felt, no
! in its power, but in its beneficence no
in its control, but in its protection; no
J. in binding the States more closely t
+ the centre, but leaving each to move un
# obstructed in its proper constitutions
# orbit" These are the teachings Of mel