Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1866-03-22

sumed. The argument is by no means end.
ed, as Senators Doolttle and Johnson seem
TO suppose. when it is proved that the late
rebel States are not out of the Union. They
were not out of the Union year ago. Was
any representative which South Carolina
might have chosen to send to Congress at
that time to be therefore admitted without
question: No sensible man will affirm such
an absurdity.
Neither the President nor Congress hold
that the mere fact oflaying down arms raised
against the Government proves either the
loyalty OF those who surrender or the pro
priety Of admitting without question the
representatives whom they send. Senator
Reverdy johnson himself concurred in the
report made 20 the Senate in February Of
last year that it was improper for this body
to admit to seats Senators from Louisiana
ill, By some. joint action Of both Houses, there
shall be some recognition of an ertsttng State
Government acting an harmony touh the
Government ofthe United States and recog
nizing its authority" All that Congress
asks is that the subject shall be investigated
aud the facts ascertained, and for that sole
purpose was the Reconstruction Committee
appointed. The President also reaffirms the
same principle when he says, in speaking Of
the late rebel States: "When they COM
ply with the Constitution, when they have
given sufficient evidence Of their loyalty and
that they can be trusted when they yield
obedience to the law, say extend TO them
the right hand of fellowship, and let peace
and union be restored. SO says the Presi
dent; 50 say we all. But here are points
to be decided, and by whom2 Is it not eyi'
dent that Congress must decide them for
itself before it can admit single member
do g. ha aA
upon some Of these points, and he says in
his Vet, Message that, in his Judgment,
some" Of the late rebel States may proper
| y be admitted to representation. But sure
! ly he nor any other man can expect that his
conviction will bind Congress. There was
never a subject, indeed, which required more
deliberate consideration. The honor Of the
country pledged to the freedmen; the
security of the national debt the increased
representation given by the Emancipation
Amendment to the late rebel States; the
| danger ofany risk of assumption ofthe rebel
debt in any form-all require the most
thoughtful care in legislation.
| But the most truly patriotic men may
honestly differ about methods. and if upon
any point Congress and the President dis
agree, the Constitution indicates the course
to pursue He may interpose his veto. 1t
Congress overcomes it by the Constitutional
vote, it will becomes a law of the United
States which the President is sworn to exc
cute. IF his veto prevails. the will of Con-
press 90 far fails to become law. But the
President, if he have any regard tor the
dignity of his Office or for the just distribu-
ton of powers in this government, will be
very wary of declaring that his view of the
case shall prevail against that Of Congress.
The President is but CO ordinate branch OF
the Government. He is not the superior Of
Congress nor of the Supreme Court. He is
the executive officer of the laws. Mean
while his veto OF any measure is a deliber
ate appeal to the country upon the point oil
difference, and the country will decide the
question at the ballotbox
; But we confidently truS no such apnea
will be necessary. The President and Con
gress have the same end in view. They
both desire the resumption by every State
Of its relations in the Union at the earliest
moment consistent with the general peace
and security and il Congress, accepting the
facts Of the situation, trusts something tc
time, something to the traditions of the Gov
ernment, something to the sure laws which
despite passion and prejudice, still contro
human affairs and if the President mind
fnl of the equal dignity and responsibility O
Congress, remembers that 6rmness is not in
consistent with forbearnnce, nsr conviction
, with concillation and ii orators and Jour
mails reflect that rhetorical fury.is alway
feeble and futile, the great party of loya
men who saved the Union will secure it
peaceful perpetuity by mutual moderation
, and wise concession.