Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1866-12-11

o0i IN the IiouSe Oh representative
and Of 20 members in the Senate. are
yet vacant-not by their own cen
sent, not by failure of election-but
by the refusal OF Congress to accept
their credentials. Their admission
1t is believed, would have accomplish
ed much toward the renewal and
strengthening of our relations as one
LeOple, and removed serious cause for
discomfort on the part Of the inhabi-
tants OF those States.
1t would have accorded with the
great principle enunciated in the Dec.
laration of American Independence,
that no people ought to bear the
burden OF taxation, and yet be de-
MED the right of presentation.
1t would have been in consonancc
with the express provisions of the
Constitution that each Ste shall have
at least one representative, and that
no State without its consent shall be
deprived of its equal suffrage in the
Senate. These provisions were in
tended to secure to every State the
right representation in each House
of Congress, and 50 important was
it deemed by the trainers Of the
Constitution that the equality Of the
States IN the Senate should be pre-
served, that not even by an amend
ment of the Constitution can any
State, without its consent be denied
Il voice in that branch Of the national
legislature.
INTEGRITY OF ALL THE STATES.
1t is true it has been assumed that
he existence of the States was ter
minated by the rebellious acts Of their
inhabitants, and that the insurrection
having been suppressed they were
thencetorWard to be considered mere.
y as conquered territories. The
Legislative, executive and judicial de-
partments of the Government have.
however, with great distinctness and
uniform consistency refused to sane
ton an assumption SO Incompatible
with the nature Of our republican
system, and the protested objects Of
the war. Throughout the recent leg
islation of Congress the updeniable
fact makes itself apparent, that the
ten political communities are nothing
less than States Of this Union. At
the very commencement of the re-
belliOn, each house declared with a
uaanlmity as remarkable as it was
significant, that she war was not
'waged upon our part in any spirit
OF oppression, nor for any purpose of
conquest or subjugation, nor purpose
OF overthrowing or interfering with
the rights or established institutions
Of those States; but to defend and
maintain the supremacy Of the Con
stitution and all laws made in pursu.
ance thereof; and to preserve the
Union with all The dignity, equality
and rjghts Of the several States un.
impaired and that as soon as these
Objects were accomplished, the war
ought to cease" In some instances,
Senators were permitted TO continue
their legislative functions, while in
other instances, Representatives were
elected and admitted to seats after
they had formally declared their
right to withdraw from the Union,
and were endeavoring to maintain
that right by force Of arms.
Al the States whose people were
in iusurrection, as st ltes were inclu,
ded in the apportioument of the III.
rect tax of $40, 900, 600 annually laid
upon the people of the United States
by the act approved 5th August. 1861.
Congress, by the act of March 18th,
1865, and by the apportionmcnt OF
repr, sentation hereunder, also re
cognized their presence ~ States in
the Union, and they have, for judi
cal purposes, been divided into dis.
tricts as States alone can be divided
The same recognition appears IN the
recent Legislation in reference to
Tennessee, which evidently rests
upon the fact that the functions OF
the State were not destroyed by the
rebellion, but merely suspended, and,
that the principle is Of course appli.
gable to those States which, like
Tenness e, attempted to reuounce
their places in the Union The ac-
tion of the Executive Department OF
the Government upon this subject
has been equally definite and uni
form, and the purpose ofthe war was
specifically stated in the proclama
ton issued by my predecessor on the
23d day of September, 1862. 1t was
then solemnly proclaimed and de-
clared that hereafter, as heretofore,
the war viii be prosecuted for the
object of practically restoring the
constitutional relations between the
United States and each of the States
and the people thereof in which
States that relation is or may be
susper ded or disturbed.
The recognition of the States by
the Judicial Department Of the Gov
eminent has also been clear and con-
elusive in all proceedings affecting
them as States, and in the Supreme
Circuit and District Courts.
QUALIFICATIONS OF MEMBERS.
Tn the admission of Senators anC
Represen tatives from any and all o
the States there can be no just GROUND
Of apprehension that persons whC
are disloyal will be clothed with The
powers Of legislation or this coulC
not happen when the Constitution
| and the laws are enforced by q viri