Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1866-08-15

plause.] Congress has not only done this !;
1t has gone further. 1t has Incorporated
new conditions with amendments to the
| Constitution and submitted them for the
ratification of the States. There isnO prob
ability that these amendments will be rat
itied by three-fourths of the States OF this
Union. Applause.l To insist on the con-
ditions they contain is to prolong indef-
nitely the exclusion Of more than one
fourth of the States from the right to be
represented In the Legislative bodies.
They had q right under the Constitution !;
they had right under the resolutions
passed In both Houses of Congress in 1861.
[Applause.] These resolutions were not
concurrent but they were substantially
identical. Moreover, they were entitled to
be represented on other grounds-of fair
ness and good faith.
1t is this wrong which we bave come here
to protest against, and as far as in us lies to
redress it. [Applause.] When the Presi-
dent OF the United States declared that
armed resistance to the authority of the
Union was over, all the States had right
to representation 10 Congress. Applause.
Is this the Government our fathers fought
to establish? Loud cries of "No."l Is
this the Government we have been fighting
TO preserve? ["No." "No."] The Presi-
dent has done all in his power to correct
this wrong. [Applause.I He has done all
in his power to restore the rights of the
States in the Legislature of the country, by
giving to each section it, full status. Leg
islation without representation is an anom-
ally In our political system. Under any
other form Of Government it would be but
another name for usurpation and misrule.
Gentlemen, trust that in our deibera-
tions here we shall cOhtne ourselves to one
to which have referred. There is much
in the administration of the Government
which needs amendment--some things need
to be done and others need to be undone
There are commercial and financial reforms
which are indispensable to the public well
fare; but we shall not have the power TO
carry out these until we change the politi.
cal complexion of Congress. [Applause.]
This should be our first and our immediate
aim. [Applause.l 1t is in the Congress
sional districts that the vital contest is to
take place. The control of one body will
enable us to prevent political, unjust and
pernicious legislation. The control of both
Houses, with the power to introduce and
carry out salutary reform, to bring the
Government back, in the language ofJOhn-
son, to the Republican track, will come
later. [Applause.l By wise, harmonious
and judicious action on our part and
the part of those we represent,
that period need not be long
delayed. / believe that public opinion is
rife, and that it is only necessary to present
to the people clearly the issues between us
and the other party which controls the ac-
tion of Congress. And, gentlemen, is not
the object for which we are contendng a
consummation worthy of our highest and
our most devoted efforts -[applause. Ito
bring back the Republic, pacitied and
strengthened by the fiery ordeal through
which it has passed to its ancient prosper
ity and power to present to the world an
example worthy Of imitation-no Utopian
vision of good government, but the grand
old real idea of the better times, bringing
up the memory of our fathers and the re-
collection of tine past, and with the past
and the future inseperably intertwined,
one country, one flag, one Union of
equal States. Long and continued ap-
plause.
General Dix then announced that the
proceedings would be opened with prayer,
and the Rev. j. N. Mcdonald made the
prayer, in which thanks were rendered to
God for the blessings which the nation en-
ioyed,more particularly in having been pre-
served in the late troubles, and also for the
assemblage of this Convention to consult
loT Gne pupllc Soou' Ie pTdyeu InaC Ine
members might take action as brothers and
as friends, might lay aside all selfish mo-
tives and all unworthy personal and Sec
tional considerations, so that the Union of
these States may be fully restored and
be perpetual. A loud amen from dele
gate. He prayed that God might manifest
his special favor on the President of the
United States, and make him great and
lasting blessing to the country. [Another
loud amen.l And he prayed for the main
tenance of the Union inviolate under the
Constitution adopted by our fathers.
On motion of Mr.. Randall, Postmaster
General, the following were appointed Sec
retaries of the Convention: o. R Perrin,
of New York; John F. Gayle, District of
Columbia; A. r. Potts, of Pennsylvania,
and James X. O'Byrne, of the District of
Columbia. --