The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1866-12-13

islatiye councils of the nation and the
political power and moral influence of
Congress are thus effectively exerted in
the interests Of loyalty to the Govern
h1eht and fidelity 70 the Union. Upon
this question, so vitality affecting the
restoration Of the Union and the per
mapency,of our present form of gov
ernment, my convictions, heretofore ex-
pressed, have undergone no change !;
but, on the contrary, their correctness
has been confirmed by reflection and
time. If the admission of loyal mem
bers 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 condition 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 exclu-
sion will be no weaker. fH
The Constitution of the United States
makes it the duty of the President to
recommend to the consideration of Con-
gress "such measures as he shall Judge
necessary or expedient." l know of no
measure more Himperatively demanded
by every consideration of national in
terest, sound policy and equal justice,
than the admission of loyal members
from the now unrepresented States.
This would consummate the work of
restoration, and exert most salutary in
fiuence in the re-establishment of peace,
harmony and fraternal feeling. 1t
would tend greatIyto renew the conf
dence of the American people in the
yigor and stability of their institutions.
ltwould bind US more closely together
as uation, and enable us to show to
the world the inherent and recuperative
power Of a Government founded upon
the will Of the people, and established
upon the principles of liberty, justice,
and intelligence Our increased
strength and enhanced prosperity would
irrefragibly demonstrate the fallacy of
the arguments against free institutions
drawn from our recent national disor-
ders by the enemies of republican gov
eminent. The admission of loyal mem
bers from the States excluded from
Congress, by allaying doubt and appre-
hension, would turn capital, now await
ing an opportunity for investment, into
the channels of trade and industry 1t
would alleviate the present condition of
those States, and, by inducing emigra-
tion, aid in the settlement of fertile re-
gions now uncultiVated, and lead to an
increased production of those staples
which have added so greatly to the
wealth of the nation and the commerce
of the world. New fields of enterprise
would be opened to our progressive
people, and soon the devastations of
war would be repaired, and all traces of
our domestic differences effaced from
the minds Of our countrymen.
DISSATISFACTION VERSUS CONSOLIDATION.
In our efforts to preserve "the unity
of Government which constitutes US one
people," by restoring the States to the
condition which they held prior to the
rebellion, we should be cautious lest,
having rescued our nation from perils of
threatened disintegration, we resort to
consolidation, and in the end absolute
despotism, as remedy for the recur-
renee of similar troubles. The war
having terminated, and with it all occa-
sion for the exercise of powers of doubt
ful constitutionality, We should hasten
to bring legislation within the boundaries
prescribed by the Constitution, and to
return to the ancient landmarks estab-
lished by our fathers for the guidance of
succeeding generations "The Consti.
tuition which at any time exists, until
changed by an explicit and authentic
act of the whole people, is sacredly OBJ
ligatory upon ALL" 'If, in the opinion
of the people, the distribution or modi-
fcation of the constitutional powers be,
in any particular, wrong, let it be cor
rected by an amendment in the way in
which the Constitution designates.
But let there be no change by usurpa-
ton; for sit is the customary weapon
by which free Governments are destroy
ed" Washington spoke these words
to his countrymen, when, followed by
their love and gratitude, he voluntarily
retired from the cares of public life.
ITO keep in all things within the pale
of our constitutional powers, and cherish
the Federal Union as the only rock of
safety were prescribed by Jefferson as
rules Of action to endear to his country
men the true principles of their Consti-
tuition, and promote union of senti-
ment and action equally auspicious to
their happiness and safety" Jackson
held that the action of the General
Government should always be strictly
confined to the sphere of its appropriate
duties, and justly and forcibly urged
that our Government is not to be main
tained nor our Union preserved "by in
vasions of the rights and powers of the
several States. In thus attempting to
make our General Government strong,
we make it weak. Its true strength
consists in leaving individuals and States