The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1866-12-07

Without It's consent, De uenleu a VOICE IN
that branch in the National Legislature.
tits true, it has been assumed that the
existence Of the States was terminated by
the rebellious acts of their inhabitants,
and that the instruction having been sup
pressed, they were thenceforward to be
considered merely as conquered territories.
The Legislative, Executive, and Judicial
Departments CT the Government have,
however, with great distinctness and uni
form consistency, refused to sanction an as
sumption so incompatible with the nature
of our republican system, and with the
protested objects of war. Throughout the
recent legislation of Congress, the undeni-
able fact makes itself apparent, that these
ten political communities are nothing less
than States of this Union. At the very
commencement of the rebellion each
House declared, with a unanimity as
remarkable as it was significant that the
war was not "waged, upon our part, in
any spirit of oppression, nor for any pur-
pose of conquest or subiugation, nsr pur-
pose of oyerthrowing or interfering with
the rights or established Institutions of
those States, but to defend and maintain
the supremacy of the Constitution and all
laws made in pursuance thereof and to
preserve the Union with all dignity, eqali
ty, and rights of the several States unim-
paired; and that as soon as these objects"
were accomplished the war ought to
cease" In some instances, Senators we're
permitted to continue their legislative func-
tions, while in other instances Representa-
tives were elected and admitted TO seats
after their States had formally declared
their right to withdraw from the Union,
and were endeavoring to maintain that
right by force of arms. All of the States
10 ~
were included in the apportionment of the
direct tax of twenty millions of dollars an
nually laid upon the United States by the
act approved 9Th August, 1861. Congress,
by the act of March 4, 1862, and by the
apportionnent of representation there
under, also recognized their presence as
States in the Union; and they have, for ju-
dicial purposes, been divided into districts,
as States alone can be divided. The same
recognition appears in the recent legislation
In reference to Tennessee, which evidently
rests upon the fact that the functions of the
State were not destroyed by the rebellion,
but merely suspended, and that principle
is of course applicable to those States
which, like Tennessee, attempted to re-
nOunce their places in the Union.
The action of the Executive Department
of the Government upon this subject has
been equally definite and uniform, and the
purpose of the war was specifically stated
in the Proclamation issued by my prede-
cessor on the I'D day of September, 1862,
1t was then sOlemnly proclaimed and de-
clared that thereafter, as heretofore, the
war Will be prosecuted for the object of
practically restoring the constitutional re-
lation between the United States and each
of the, States and the people thereof in
which States that relation is or may be sus-
pended or disturbed"
The recognition of the States by the Ju-
dicial Department of the Government has
also been clear and conclusive in all pro-
ceedings affecting them as States, had in
the Supreme Circuit and District Courts.
In the admission of Senators and Repre-
sentatives from any and all of the States,
there can be no Just ground of apprehen-
sion that persons who are dislOyal viii be
clothed with the powers Of legislation; for
this could not happen when the Constitution
and laws are enforced by a vigilant and
faithful Congress. Each House is made
the 'iudge of the elections returns, and
qualifications of its own members" and
may, with the concurrence of two-thirds,
expel member" When a Senator ST.
Representative presents his certificate of
election, he may be at once admitted or
rejected or, should there be any question
as to his eligibility, his credentials may be
referred for investigation TO the approximate
committee. If admitted to a seat it must
be upon evidence satisfactory to the House
Of which he thus becomes a member. that
be possesses the requisite constitutional
aud legal qualifications. If refused
admission as a member for want of
due allegiance to the Government
and returned to his constituents, they are
admonished that none but persons loyal to
the United States will be allowed a voice in
the Legislative Councils of the Nation, and
the political power and moral influence of
Congress are thus effectively exerted In the
interests of loyalty to the Government and
fidelity to the Union. Upon this question,
so vitality effecting the restoration of the
Union and the permaneney of our present
form of government, my convictions, here
tofore expressed, have undergone no change;
but, on the contrary, their correctness has
been confirmed by reflection and time II
the admission of loyal 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 con-
dition of these States at the present time,
it is lawful to exclude them from represen-
tation, / do not see that the question will
be changed by the eflux of time. Ten
years hence, if these States remain as they
are, the right of Representation Will be no
/ stronger-the right of exclusion will be no
weaker.
4 The Constitution of the United States makes
1t the duty Ofthe President to recommend to the
consideration of Congress such measures as be
shall judge necessary or expedient." I know Oi
no measure more imperatiYely demanded By
every consideration of national interest, sound
policy, and equal Justice. than the admission oil
loyal mem bers from the now uurepresen ted
states. This would cOnsummate the work OF
= restoration, and exert a most salutary influence
| IN the re-estabiishment of peace, harmony, and
fraternal telling. 1t would tend greatly to re-
| new the confidence of the American people In
the vior and stability Of their Institutions. Ii
would bind rs more closely together as a nation,
and enable Us to show to the world the inherent
and reeegeratiye power of a Governments found
ed upon the will Of a people. and established
upon heprineiples of liberty. justice and intel
| ligence. Our increased strength and enhanced
prosperity would iFrefragably demonstrate tho
allacy Oh the arguments against free installations
=