The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-04-26

Postmaster-Ge General, "Let the people
have facilities for mail communications,
and let them begin again to understand
what we all feel and thinl-that we are
enc people" We looked out again and
saw that there was a blockade; that the
Custom Houses were all closed. We
said: "Open the doors of the Custom
House and remove the blockade; let
trade, commerce, and the pursuits of
peace be restored" and it was done.
We thus travelled on step by step, open
ing up Custom Houses, appointing Col
lectors, establishing mail facilities, and
restoring all the relations that had been
interrupted by the rebellion. Was there
anything undertaken to be done here
that was not authorized by the Consti-
tuition, that was not justified by the great
necessities OF the case, that has not been
and with the genius and theory Of our
Government? Cheers. Whatremained
to be done? One thing remained to de-
monstrate TO the civilized and Pagan
world that we had passed successfully
through the third ordeal of our National
existence, and proved that our Govern
ment was perpetual. A great principle
was to be restored which was established
in our Revolution when our fathers were
contending against the power Of Great
Britain. What was one of the principal
causes OF their complaint? 1t was that
they were denied representation. They
complained of taxation without repre-
sentation. Cheers. One of the great
principles laid down by our fathers, and
which fired their hearts, was that there
should be no taxation without repre-
sentation. How then does the matter
stand? Who has been usurping power?
Who has been defeaeing the operation
of the Constitution, and what now re-
mains to be done to complete the resto-
ration OF these States to all their former
relations under the Federal Govern
through which we have been passing?
1t is to admit representation. Cheers.
And when we say admit representation
what do we mean? We mean repre-
sentation in the constitutional and law
abiding sense, as was intended at the
beginning Of the Government. And
where does that power lie: The Consti-
tuition declares in express terms that
each House, the Senate and House of
Representatives, each acting for itself,
shall be the judge of the returns Of cleo
ton and qualifications of its own men,
bers. It is for each House to settle that
question under the Constitution, and
under the solemn sanction of an oath
and can we believe that either House
would admit any member into its body
to participate in the legislation of the
country who was not qualified and fit to
sit in that body and participate in its
proceedings? They have the power
not the two Houses, but each House for
itself. The Constitution further declares
that no State shall be deprived of its
equal suffrage in the Senate Of the
United States without it's consent. Then
where do we stand? All that is needed
is for the two Houses respectively to de-
termine these questions. "Oh,o but
some will say, "a traitor might come
in" The answer to that is: Each
House must be the judge, and if trail
tor presents himself cannot either House
know that he is a traitor applause, and
if he is a traitor, can they not kicl, him
out of the door and send him back, say
ing to the people who sent him, You
must send us loyal man." Cheers,
and voice, "That's the logic." Is there
any difficulty about that: Cries of
"No, no."] If a traitor presents HIM
self to either House, cannot that House
say to him: No, you cannot be admit
ted into this body. Go back-we will
not deny your people the right of repre-
sentation, but they must send loyal
representative. Cheers. And when
the States do send loyal representatives,
can you have any better evidence of
their fidelity to the Constitution and
laws? There is no one learned in consti-
tutional law who will say that if trail
tor happens to get into Congress, that
body cannot expel him after he gets in.
That makes assurance doubly sure, and
conforms the action of the Government
to the Constitution of our fathers
Hence, say, let us stand by that Consti-
tuition, and in standing by it our cove
nant will be preserved.
While l have been cOntending against
traitors and treason, and secession, and
the dissolution of the Union, l have been
contending at the same time against the
consolidation of power here. Cries of
''good."l I think the consolidation of
power here is equally dangerous with
the separation Of the States. Cheers.
The one would weaken us and might
run into anarchy, while the other would
concentrate and run into monarchy.
Cheers and cries Of ''can't do it," Oh,
hut there is an idea abroad that one man