The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1866-09-27
WM. LEWIS.
ERENspuRa. Sept. Is, 1866

GbENSbCAOs SSPh- 40 ACOO-
VIM. LEWIS, ESQ:
Denr Sir Your note is before me,
ard Will, it the resolutions it refers to.
| recognize your right, whether as voter
in my district, or journalist, to ascertain
the views of any candidate offered for
your support and fortunately for me, |
am able, without any hesitation, 10 make
you a frank and candid reply.
I need not tell you that if elected ard
admitted to seat in Congress, l should
be required to take an oath to "suppOrt
the Constitution of the United States"
In that instrument fad that, "the Sen
Gte Of the United States shall he composed
of two Senator'S from each State, and
that Representatives and direct taxes
shall b.. apportioued among the several
States which may be included within this
Union, according to their respective num-
bers." &c. l believe with the late Presi-
dent Lincoln and his Cabinet-with the
Congress which iDaugurated the war 70
put do9n the rebellion and prevent
secession with the statesmen in the
forum aud tie soldiers in the field that
no State caH secede from the Union. All
the acts of the Government, In all its
departments, were based upon the duty
Vi oreserving the Union of the States"
Fur this we iabured -! !or this we incurred
our enormous debt for this we gave the
lives of our brethren.
That the Union lcds preserved is not
now matter Of orgument-it il history
Every Southern State is now moving on
peacefully under her own Constitution
aud laws while the Judicial Department
takes cognizauce of every Southern State
in the administration of civil and cr:ni
nal jurisprudeBce, and the Executive
Department collects its proportion Of the
tnxes 10 pay the National debt, ard " takes
care that the laws be faithfully execu-
ted"
IF Mr. Stevens, who embodies the radi-
cal idea. we're asked how many States are
il the Union, even he would unwiliingIy
give the same answer as the student in
Geography, ,hir!y-six." Yet while any
radical would make this answer; and
while our flag" the proud emblem OF
our nationality. filings its thirty six stars
TO :ka breeze, from the Aslantic to the
Pacific, and from the lakes to the gnlf-
while our gallant tar5 float he same "star-
- ChSiSu, uH every Htd EhucI IhC 4ltd-
ven these same radicals, by refusing
them that which makes State, and with
out ghich State cannot eriSt, would re-
duce them to subjugatcd provinces
Believing, then, tina. every State in the
South is entitled to tTo Senators in Con-
gre>s, and as many members of the House
OF Representatives as the act o. Congress
provides, | can at once 's subscribe TO the
sentiments of the resolutions to which
you refer. Aud while. under that other
clause Of the Constitution, which makes
each House judge of the qualifications
OF its own members" rcould refuse u seat
To any DISiOYAL member and every MEM
her rctasiay to take the test oaik prescribed
by Congress, would make the disgualifi-
cation a personal one, and not permit it to
impair the rights of Sovereign State
Hoping YOU will excuse the crudeneSs of
tho foregoing views, arising from the ex.
treme hurry in which they are written,
| remain very respectfully yours,