The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1866-12-21
STATES OR TERRITORIES.

~
by Mr.. Stevens OF Pennsy Nsnia, providing
f6r a territorial government for North Caro-
lima. which, if passed, viii be followed by
the like process As TO all Of the ex.rebel
Estates" and which is no moro nor less
than Ma Sumnsr's theory advanced upon
the withdrawal Of the rceusant States in
1861, although until recently that theory
has never obtained to much extent That
the logic OF events and sound reasoning arc
forcing us To the adoption Of that theory
we believe. Il is very convenien, to as
scr that South Carolina is sill State in
the Union with only, as President Lincoln
said. "i,s practical relations severed; but
!, requires some close argument to show
that. IL they are States in the Union, they
are not entitled to representation. Nor IS Il
easy TO reason that South Carolina is in the
Union for one purpose, and out Of Il for
another his certainly not a Snie ow Of
the Union for such an anomaly is strnn.
ger to our economy. 10 il q state N the
Union3 II 50, why should Il not be equally
a State with all the other Statss7 Although
this can lie answered in what we in COM
mon with the loyal press believe to be a
strictly legal manner, it is nevertheless
fun Of objections, each moro or less
~eigh,y, which shoald no, pertain to plan
OF strict craftsmanship.
The trcuble with this plan Is not, We sP.
prehend, 90 much in ITSELF pr y, as in the
difficulty Of making plain the Judicial al
,bority for such course. Or In other
words, while the theory Of Mr.. Sumner is
consistent and liable TO no misconstriction
and aims at direct results the theory that
South Carolina Is State in the Union, and
yet not State, Is ternporising, and admits
OF too much speculation. We want plan
Of reconstruction so plain tina, the people
can understand ], at once, and believe in
its consistency; not one that only acute le-
gal minds can fathom. There Is no inielli-
gent person who does not understand that
Congress will no, admit to ipll fellowship
those rccusant States, under the law Of jus
,irs and necessity that treason should and
mus, DO punished and made odious.
Whether wc consider them rs States or
territories, we treat them as territories.
They are not allowed voice in the na.
tional councils, and, save in form, are given
To understand that their salvation depends
upon their accomplishing certain acts, the
same a. has been given every territory to
understand = ac1niescence to the will of
Congress before their admission. Then
why stand upon punctilios and call them
States when we treat them NJ territories,
which they are' We do not intend now
to discuss the question Of State suicide
If not fully admitted in theory, this ques-
ton il admitted in practice, and that is |
enough for present purposes.
The g~nera, duties Of all bodies polite |
arc reduced tn single one, that Of acting
IN To the end or design for which they
were created, AID this is good law. Louis
lana WIS GRATED State in the Union for
the purpose Of making a moro perfect Tn
ion and perpetua,ing the institutions Of the
nation into which il was incorporated. Did
!, at up to the end and design for which
!, WIS created. when Il sought to destroy
thi, ignore perfect Union" and pcrpctuaie
institutions fdreisn and antaycnis,ic to this
,.s,ion, To admit this would be national
.,iciie. The corporation Of Louisiana
has already become dissolved by two Of the
four means by which corporations may be
dissolved. first Ivy the surrender Of its
franchises when its body polite withdrew
its representation in Conafcss. and SECOND,
Nv the forfeiture Of its charter through
abuse of its franchises ...... r
The men in whose hands arc now placed
these seni.Staic governments are not the
men either to hiring those communities
hack to th,ir proper relations to the Union,
ar tn administer "a republican form Of
government. Manifes'ly there Is neither
necessity nor wisdom for putting aside In
these communities the only element which
can make State within the meaning and in
tent Of the constitution. We must begin de
moro and then the beautiful fabric Of Snte
governments will have is foundations Sc