Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1866-02-12


by the Constitution aud those qualifications
most .upquestionably imply loyalty. lie who
comes as representative, having the quallt1-
cations. prescribed by the Constitution to ut
him to take seat in either Of the dehberatl7e
bodies which constitute the National Leglsla-
ture, must necessarily according to the Intend
ment Of the Constitutions, oe loyal man: VIII
! ling to abide by, and be devoted TO the Union
and the Constitution of the States. lie can
not be for the Constitution, he cannot he Tor
the Union, he cannot acknowledge obedience to
all the laws, unless he Is loyal. When the peo-
pie send such men in good faith, they are en-
titled to representation through them.
In going into the recent rebellion or Insured
ton against the Government of the y. S. we
erred, and in returning aud resuming our rel&-
tions with the Federal Government, | am free
to say that ali the responsible positions and
places ought to be confined distinctly ADD clear
| ly to men who are loyal If there were only
FIVE thousand loyal men in State or less
number, tut sufficient to take charge OF the
political machinery Of State, those live
thousand men, or the lesser number: are er-
titled to it, il all the rest should be otherwise
Inclined. look upon it as teing fundamental
that the exercise of political power should be
confined to loyal men, and regard that as In
piled in the doctrines laid down in these reso-
lutions and in the eloquent address by which
they have been accompanied. l may say,
furthermore, that after having passed through
the great struggle in which we have been en-
gagged we should be placed upon much more
acceptable ground Ia resunlug all our relations
to the General Government if we presented
men Enthusiastically and unquestionably loyal to
fill the places of power. This being cone,
feel that the day is not Distant speak con
fidingly in reference to the great mass OF the
American people-when they will determine
that this Union shall be made whole, and the
great right of representation in the councils OF
the nation be acknowledged.
Gen tleman, that is fundamental prlnclp!e.
mo taxation without representation was one
of the principles which carried us through the
Revolution This great principle will ho]d
GOOD vet; and if we but perform our duty; II
we but comply with the spirit of the resolutions
presented to me to day, the American people
will maintain and sustain the great doctrines
upon which the Government was inaugurated.
It can be done, apd it will be done and think
that II he effort be fairly and fully made, with
foshearance and with prudence, and win dis
erection aud wisdom, the end is rot very Tar
distant
II seems to me- apparent tha: from every
consideration the best nolicy which could be
adppt-d az resent would be a restoration OF
these States and of the Government upon cor
recv principles.
[The President here dwelIed upon the na1lon9
prsperity thas would ensue upon the complete
re -tora1ioD Of all the States to the Union
Gentlemen, know nothing further that L
could say in the expression OF my teelngs on
this OCCASION and theyare GOT at1ectt d-lnof2
than to add that [ shall continue 10 the same
line of policy which | have pursued from the
commencement Of the rebellion TO the present
period My efforts have been to preserve the
! Union of the States. I.never tor single mo,
ment. entertained the opinion thata ofat2 could
withdraw from the Union OF its own o'Il. That
uttcmpt was made. It has failed. continue
70 nursue the same line Of policy which has
tei nv constant guide was against diss|'-
]u,ion. Dissolution was attempted: It has
failed: ana DOW | cannot take the position that
State which attempted to secede is out OF the
| JTuon. when [ contend ali the time thatlt could
nor un out and that it never has been oar.
cannot b. forced into that position. Hence,
when the States and their people >nalt have
COMPLIED with the requirements OF he '1oSero-
m.nt. shuh be in favor Of their resuln'ng
,hei,. former relations 20 tits JnveTninent ID
all re>pec's
do ,ot intend to say anything peT>ona hut
ynn knew IS vel! as [ do that at the beginning,
aod. indeed. before the ueg,nnjng Of the reeefr
rigantic struggle between he di5feren: "tct'o; S
0f fnn country there We're extreme u n :5oulh:
and there we're extreme rnen North. 'ngI'1
mike Us OF a homely figure, (which is some
times as good as any otaer even 10 re sllostra;
t;ons q great and important questions and
say that It has been hammer at one end OF the
line and anvil at the ot|.er and this great { eF'v-
a.,>,,ont tbo hest the world ever say, was kept