The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1866-01-10
The President and Congress.

Tho HOLIDAYS, some OF tle He.nDeIs ue-IV' /
their positions for the benefit Of the country /
n. large. The most remarkable speech ofthe /
session thus far, was that OF Hon. Thaddeus I
Stevens. Stevens is the Nestor ofthe House, /
and has for several years been is ackn0wl-
edged leader. Al tho age Of seventy or
more. he still IS Ia possession Of all his pow
ers. and has no superior in that body as
parliamentary tacticIan. With his honesty
and muck. FOR which all will give bin credit
nature has also furnished linn with irrasc.-
bilj,v which has not al al decreased by the
heavy pecunsary loss which lie met with, 10
the invasion Of Pennsylvania by the rebel
forces under Gen. Lee He says the 10
ture condition Of the conquered power de-
peuds upon the VIII Of Tue coaqueror. They
must come in as new states or remain,
as conquered provinces Congress
the Senate and the House Of Representa-
tiyes-witn tie concurrence Of the Presi-
dent Is the only power that can act on the
matter lie means TIA, the Executive and
Legislative departments Of Government
must tx the status OF tic rebel states
either allowing them % exercise The former
functions Of States, which originally belong
cd 10 them under The Constitution, cr by
treating them ouiy a. conquered provinces
and giving them under The cOntrO! Of gov
ernmeuf Territorial governments
Here Mr.. Stevens strikes the key note Of
difference between himself aud President
johnson. The President has assumed 10
treat the late rebel states as still members
Ofthe Federal Government first supn.4iing,
that they should absolutely make void al.
acts contrary to tie letter and spirit Of the
Constitution, should Tepudlale forever
the rebel debt, and should adopt the Con
stitutiOnal amendment ab0hshlng slavery.
With these terms most OF The states have
complied, and by their ratification, tie
Constitutional amendment has been declar-
ed adopted by The provisions OF the Consti-
tuition. through the proclamation VI oecreta-
r, Seward To the above action oil the
President. Mr.. Stevens dissents. He pro
poses 10 undo what mas been done, TO make
territories o. these States, aud commence
anew the work Of RECONSTRUCTION We
frankly ;ell Mr.. Stevens, and the members
Of Congress who coincide in his views, that
they arc beginning too late. Had the last
Congress which proposed the amendment
jus, adopted, abOlisbug slavery, gone lur-
ihel, and Ut that session passed law
defining The position OF these states, decla
ring them su5juga.el provinces when the
war ended, those States would have sub
miited to their humil.atiug condition, and
made the best Of il. But they failed 10 do
this, aud the attempt now TO enforce such
action would be dangerous TO the future
welfare Of The country. Congress has the
power 10 determine the qualifications Of lis
own members, and may keep out the Scna-
tors and Representatives. OF the late reUe.
States al. dOomsday AMI no one Val COM
plain, even If The test oath is Insisted on,
and those States refuse 10 send men who have
the Constitution Is either. nuliliy, or IL was
adopted by The States which seeded from
the Union, as well as those who successfully
assrstel Tie power { that Constitution.
One OF lis articles decl res that Sc The Uni
ted States shall guarantee 10 every State
in The Union a Republican form Of govern
ment, and shall protect them against inva-
sion; AMI Oh application OF the legislature
or OF the Executive. when the Legislature
cannot be convened. against domestic vio-
lence' They are TO guarantee 70 each
State Republican form Of government. but
they are not, AMI cannot. by the terms Of
che Constitution give states IN the Union
Territorial governments. Now, who has
declared the re5e, States ont OF the Union.
Neither the President by Official manifesto.
or Congress by any legal enactment We
have thought this battle on the universally
declared principle, that no State could leave
the Caion, and il any States attempt
ed II, as these States have done. we could
coerce them. anI compel them 10 come
back by sis0 force Of arms, which l. the
work which has been done Tha; We have
q right 70 some suitable guarantees for the
future, there Is a. question. Let Congress
Clearly define BY legal enactment what
they shall be, and II any State rells5 their
acceptance then the power Is WIKI Con
gress to give them i Republican tom Of
Government, even ~ tie point Of the oAy-
onet. II need be.
There IS no occasion for collision between
the President a1l Congress. nor 10 We BE-
leve any such, for tue people. iamenta5le
occurrence, IS 10 be thrust upon Us IN the
future Let Congress. as they have done
in the case Of the Camden and Amboy
monopoly, take such power into their own
hands IS belongs 10 them by the COusIiu-
ton, aud they Will NEE. with the warm and
hearty support OF the President. For in
stance, 10 the case OF the amendment 10
the Constitution just adopted, by retaining
IN the ameldmen- that relic Of blrhlrism
which has come 10 us from the dark ages
except IN punishment i0g crime. they
have le.l the Southern States the right OF
selling into slavery any cologeI person who
may have been guilty OF petty crime. This
very thing was attempted AZ Wilmington
the other day. and WIS only prevented by
military power. Let Congress declare that
these States shall have no representation in /
either branch OF Congress till all such laws f.
are repealed-or let them by one sweeping
enactment, declare them null ani void. Is
antagonisuc 70 a Republican form Of
government" The b,ll Of Senator Wilson I
OF Massachusetts,, IS one That covers The .
entire groaad, AMI 10 which We heartily /
assent We are glad 10 know that tai.
gentleman believes that the action Of the
President anl Congress are to be harmoni-
Gus, and that the whole country is 10 reaD
the blessings OF tae peace We now enjoy Is
priceless luxury Mr. Wilson's bill pro-
vides, that all laws, ordinances and regula-
tons in any State or Territory, recognising
The inequality Of civil rights or immuni,ies
among the Inhabitants in consequences OF
race OF color, be lun ana void, and render
Ing i Illegal 70 make or enforce such 4 law