The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-12-06


to the Government, and returned 10 his
constituents, they are admolished that
none but persons loyal to the United
States Will be allowed voice in the
Legislative Councils OF the nation, aud
the political power and moral influence
OF Congress are thus effectively exerted
in the interest of loyalty to the Govern.
mopt aud liIoity to the Union. Upon
this question, 50 vitality affecting the
restoration Of the Union and the per
mancncy OF our present form of govern.
mcnt, my convictions heretofore express
ed, 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
vas wise and eXpedicnta year ago. it is
10 less wise and expedient now. II this
anomalous condition is right now Ill,
in the exact condition of these States
at the present time, tits lawful to exclude
them from representation, | do not see
that the question will be changed by
the efi1ux Of time. Ten wears hence,
if these States remain rs they are, the
right Of representation WILDE 10 stronger
the right Of exclusion will be no
weaker.
The Constitution of the United States
makes it tn: duty Of the President to
recommend to the Consideration Of
Congress "such measures as he Shall
Judge eccssary or expcdient." / know
Of no measure more imperticely dc,
manded by every consideration Of IA
tional interest, sound policy, and equal
justice, than the admission OF loyal
members from the now uurepresented
States. This would consummatc the
work OF restoration, and exert a most
salutar, influence in the re establishment
Of peace, harmony, and traternal feeling
1t would tend greatly to renew the con-
lidence OF the Anne. ican people in the
vigor aud stability Of their institutions.
1t wo aid bind US more closely together
as ~ nation, and cna' le us to show to
the world the inherent aud recuperative
power OF government founded upon
the will OF the people, and established
upon the principles Of libcny, Justice
aud intelligence Oar increased strength
and enchanced prosperity would ire.
iragthIy demonstrate the ta'locy Of the
arguments against free institutions drawn
from our recent national disorders by
the enemies Of republican government.
The admission Of loyal members from
the States now excluded from Congress,
by aIlaHiug doubt and apprehension,
would turn capital, now awaiting an
opp 'rtun;ty iot Investment, into the
channels Of trade and industry 1t
would alleviate the present condition Of
those States, and, by inducing emisra
ton, aid in the settlement Of fertile
regions now uucuItivated, and lead to
an increased production IF those sta Piles
which have added so realty tOthe wealth
Of the nation and the commerce Of the
world. New fields of enterprise would
be opened to our progressive people, and
soon the devast,tlons Of war would be
repaired, and all traces OF our domestic
differences efIcel from the mind Of our
countrymen.
ln our efforts to preserve the unity
OF Government which constitutes Us one
people" by restoring the States To the
condition they held prior to the rebel
lion, we should be cautious, lest, having
rescued our natioI from periIs Of threat.
ened disintegration, We resort to consoli.
datiOn, aud In the end absolute deSpOt
ism, as IL remedy for the recurrence Of
similar troubles. The war having ter.
minated, and with it all occasion for the
exercise Of powers OF doubtful constitu.
tiouality, we should hasten to bring leg
lS'atiUn within the boundaries prescribed
by the Constitution, and to return to
the ancient landmai ks established bv
our fathers for the guidance Of succeed
ing generations. The Constitution
which at any time exists, uutiI changed
By an explicit aud authentic act Of the
whole people, is sacredIy obligatory up.
on ALL" IL, in the opinion OF the reo.
pie, the distribution or modification OF
the constitutional powers be, in any par,
ticu.ar wrong, let it be corrected by AN
amendment in the way in which the
Constitution designates. But let there
be no change by usurpation, for it is
,he customary weapnn by which free
Governments are destroyed. Washing.
ton 6p2ke these words to his countrymeu
when, followe! by their love and graft
tude, he voluntarily retired from the
cares of public lite. 10 keep in all
things within the pale Of our cohs;iu
tiOnal powers, aud cherish the Federal
Union as the only rock OF safety were
prescribed by Jefferson as rules Of action
to cndear to his !" cuunlrymen The true
principle Of their Constitution, and pro.
mote a union Of sentiment aud action
equally auspieious to lherhappness and
safety Jackson held that the action
Of the General Government should al.
ways be coufued to the sphere Of its APP.