East Saginaw courier. (East Saginaw, Mich.) 1859-18??, 1866-02-21

excluded-th those who were most faith
full during the war not less than
others. The State Of Tennessee, for in
stance, whose authorities engaged in
rebellion, was restored 10 all her con-
stitutional relations Of the Union by
the patriotism and energy Of her in
jured and betrayed people. Before
the war was brought to termination
they had placed themselves in rela-
tons with the General Government,
had established State Government
of their own, and, as they were not
included in the emancipation procla-
nation, they, by their own act, have
amended their constitution SO as to
abolish slavery within the limits of
their State. i know no reason why
the State of Tennessee, for example,
should not fully enjoy all her consti-
tutional relations to the United States
The President Of the United States
stands toward the country in some
what different attitude from that Of
any Member Of Congress chosen from
single district or State. The Presi-
dent is chosen by the people of all the
States. Eleven States are not at this
time represented in either branch of
Congress. 1t would seem to be his
duty, on all proper occasions, to pre-
sent their Just claims to Congress-
There always will be difference of
opinion III communities, and individ-
male poa,, 10 ey..:lls- &c .~ann.--aso;e.,,s
or the law but these do not constitute
valid objections against the right of
State to representation. 1t would in
no wise interfere with the discretion
Of Congress with regard to the quail
fication of members. But l hold it
my duty TO recommend to you, in the
interests of peace and in the interests
of the Union, the admission Of every
State to its share of public legislation,
when, however insubordinate, insur-
gent or rebellious its people may have
been, il presents itself not only in an
attitude of loyalty and harmony, but
in the persons of Representatives
whose loyalty cannot be questioned
under existing constitutional or legal
tests. 1t is plain that an indefinite or
permanent exclusion of any part of
the country from representation must
be attended by spirit of disquiet
and complaint 1t is unwise and dan
gerous to pursue a course of measures
which will unite any large section of
tho nonntrv n oainst anotbar cacti,n of
the country, no matter how much the
latter may predominant. The course
of immigration, the development of
industry and business, and natural
causes will raise up men at the South
as devoted to the Union as those of
any other part of the land. But if
they are all excluded from Congress
il, in permanent statute, they are
declared not to be in full constitution
al relations to the country, they may
think they have cause to become
unit in feeling and sentiment against
tho Government. Under the political
education of the American people, the
idea is inherent and eradicable that
the consent of the majority of the
whole people is necessary to secure
willing acquiescence i'll legislation
The bill under consideration refers to
certain of the States as though they
had not been fully restored TO the
Union. If they have not let us at
once act together to secure that desi-
rable end at the earliest possible mo-
ment. 1t is hardly NECESSARY forWa
judgment most of those States, so far
at least rs depends upon their own
action, have already been fully re-
stored, and are to be deemed to he en-
titled to enjoy their constitutional
rights as members of the Union
Reasoning from the constitution itself, |
and from the actual situation of the
country, l feel not only entitled but
bound TO assume that the Federal
courts restored IN the sever6! States,
and in the full exercise of their func- !
tons, the rights and interests of all
classes of the people will, with the aid
of the military i'll cases of resistance
to the law, be essentially protected
against unconstitutional infringement
and violation. Should this expecta-
ton unhappily fail, which do not
anticipate, then the Executive is al
ready armed with the powers con-
ferred by the act of March, 1865, es-
tablishing the Freedmen's Bureau,
aud hereafter as heretofore we can
employ the land and naval forces of
the country to suppress instruction
and to overcome distractions to the
laws.
l return the bill to the Senate in
the earnest hope that a measure in
volving questions and interests so im-
portant to the country will not become
a law, unless, upon deliberate consid-
GRAFTON by the people, it shall receive
the sanction of an enlightened public
Judgment. (Signed)
ANDREW JOHNSON.
ID. G. Feb. 10, 1866.