Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1866-12-06
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.

proceeds to discuss the question of the
RESTORATION OF THE STATES.
In my message of the 4th of December
1866, Congress was informed of the meas
ures which had been instituted by the Ex-
ecuiive with view to the gradual restora-
ton OF the States in which the instruction
occurred to their relations with the Gener-
nj Government. Provisional Governors
had been appointed, Conventions called
Governors elected, Legislatures assembled,
and Senators and Representatives chosen
10 the Congress of the United States; courts
had been opened for the enforcement OF
laws long in allegiance; the blockade had
been removed. custom houses re-establish-
ed, and the Internal Revenue laws put in
force in order that the people might con-
tribute to the national income. Postal OPP
erations had been renewed, and efforts were
being made to restore them to their former
condition and efficiency. The States them
selves had been asked 10 take part in the
high function of amending the Constitution.
and of thus sanctiOning the extinction OF
slavery, as one of the legitimate results OF
our internicine struggle. Having progress
ed thus far, the Executive Depart1 ent
found that it had accomplished nearly all
that was within the scope of its cOnstitu-
tional authority. One thing, however. yet
remained to he done before the work OF
restoration could be completed. and that
was, the admission to Congress of loyal
Senators and Representatives from the
States whose people had rebeIled against
the lawful authority of the General Gov
eminent. The question devolvcd on the
respective Houses, which, by the Consiitu-
ton, are made the judges of the elections,
returns and qualifications of their own
members, and its consideration at once en-
gagged the attention of Congress. In the
meantime, the Executive Department--no
other plan having been proposed by Con
gress-continucd in its efforts to perfect as
far as was practicable, the restoration OF
the proper relations between the citizens OF
the respective States, the States, and the
Federal Government, extending. from time
to time, as the public interests seemed to
require. the judicial, revenue and postal sys-
TENS of the country. With the advice and
consent of the Senate, the necessary officers
were appointed and appropriations made
by congress for the payment of their sala-
ries. The proposition To amend the Fed
eral constitution so as to prevent The exist
cnce of slavery within the United States, or
any place subject to their jurisdiction. was
ratified by the requisite number of States.
and on the 18th day of December, 1865, it
was officially declared to- have become val
d rs part of the Constitution of the United
States.
All of the States in which the iusurrec-
ton had existed promptly amended their
constitutions, so as 10 make them conform
to the great change thus effected in the or
ganic laws Of the land: declared null end
void all ordinances and laws of secession:
repudiated alf pretended debts and obliga-
tons created fortlie revolutionary purpos-
es ofinsurrection, and proceeded in good
faith TO the enactment of measures for the
protection and amelioration ofihe condition
of the colored race. Congress, however,
vet hesitated to admit any of the States to
representation, and it was not until towards
the close of the eighth month the session
that an exception was made i'm favor OF Ten
nessee, by the admission Other Senators and
Representatives.
EXCLUSION OF LOYAL SOUTHERN SENATOR'S
AND REPRESENTATIVES.
deem it subject of profound regret
that congress has thus far failed to admit
to seats loyal representatives from the 9th
er States, whose inhabitants, with those OF
Tennessee, had engaged in the rebellion
Ten States-more than onc-fourth of the
whole number-remain without representa-
ton. The seats of 30 members in the House
of Representatives. and of 30 members in
the Senate, are yet vacant-not by their
own consent, not by the failure of election
but by the refusal of congress to accept
their credentials. Their admission, il is be-
lieved, would have accomplished much to-
ward the renewal and strengthening of our
relations as one people, and removed seri-
Gus cause for discomfort on the part of the
inhabitants of those States.
1t would have accorded with the great
principle enunciated in the Declaration of
American independence, that no people
ought to bear the burden of taxation, and
yet be denied the right of representation.
Ii would have been in eonsOnance with
the express provisions of the constitution
that each State shall have al least one repre-
sentative, AID that no State without its con-
sent shall be deprived of its equal suffrage
i'm the Senate. These provisions were in-
tended to secure to every State, and To the
people ofevcry State the right of represen-
tatiOn in each House of congress, and so
important was it deemed by the trainers OF
the constitution that the equality of the
States in the Senate should be preserved,
that not even by an amendment 10 the con-
stitution can any State, without its consent,
be denied a voice in that branch of the ma
tional legislature.
INTEGRITY OF ALL TIE STATES
II is true it has been assumed that the cx-
istence of the States was terminated by the
rebellious acts of their inhabitants, and that
the Instruction having been suppressed
they were thenceforward to be considered
merely as conquered territories. The leg
islative. executive and judicial departments
of the Government have, however. with
great distinctness and uniform consistency
refused to sanction an assumption so in
compatible with the nature of our republi-
can system. Throughout the recent legis-
lation Ofcongrcss, the undeniablc fact makes
itself apparent, that the ten political com
munities are nothing less than States of this
Union. At the very commencement of the
rebellion, each House declared with una
nimi.y as remarkable as it was significant
I that the war was not ''waged on our part
in any spirit of oppression, nor for any pur-
pose of conquest or subjugation, nor pur'
pose of overthrowing or interfering with
| the rights or established institutions Ofthoss
! States; but to defend and maintain the SUI
preniacy of the constitution and all law.
made in pursuance thereof; and TO preserv,
the Union with all the dignity, equality and
rights of the States unimpaired; and that a:
soon as these objects were accomplished
the war ought to cease" In some instan
ces, Senators were permitted to continue
their legislative functions, while in othel
instances, Representatives were elected ant
admitted to seats after they had formally
declared their right to withdraw from tn,
Union. and were endeavoring to maintain
that right by force of arms.
All the States whose people were in in
surrection, as States were included in tn,
apportionment of the direct tax of $40, 600,
900 annually laid upon the people of tin
United States by the act approved 9Th Au
gust, 1861. Congress, by the act of Marcl