Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-12-15

fpsSpd objects OF Ine WIT. luEouBh-
out the recent legislation of Congress
the updeniabIe fact makes itself APP
parent that the ten political communl-
ties are nothing less than states OF tins
Union, At the commencement OF this
rebellion each House declared, with
as remarkable as 1t was sig
nificant, that the war was not waged up
on our part in any spirit of oppression,
nor for the purpose of conquest or sub
lugation, nor for the purpose OF over
throwing or interfering with the rights
or established institutions OF those
states; but to defend and maintain the
of the constitution, and all
laws made in pursuance thereof, and
To nreserye the Union, with all the dig
nifty, equality and the rights OF the
several states unimpaired; and that, as
soon as these objects were accomplish
ed. the war ought to cease. In some
instances senators were permitted to
continue their Legislative fupctions,
while in other instances representatives
were elected and admitted to seats after
their states had formally declared their
right TO withdraw from the Union, and
were endeavoring to maintain that
right by force of arms.
All of the States whose people were
in instruction as States were lnclud-
ed In the apportiOnment of the direct
tax of twenty millions of dollars, an
nually laid upon the United States by
the act approved the 9th or August,
1861. Congress, by the act of March
Attn, 1862, and by the apportiontment OF
representation Hereunder, also re-
cognized their presence as states IN the
Union. and they have for Judicial pur-
poses been divided into districts as
states alone can be divided. The same
recognition appeared IN the recent
legislature In r5 ference 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 principle IS OF
course applicable to those states which,
ike Tennessee, attempted to rsnOunce
their place IL the Union. The action
of the executive department OF the
government upon this snblect was
equally definite and uniforms and the
purpose of the war was specifically
stated in the proclamation issued by
NV predecessor on the 22d day OF Sep
tember. 1862. 1t was then sOlemnly
proclaimed aud declared that 'heIeat-
ter as hereto, ore the war will be prose
cuted for the object of practically re-
storing the constitutional relations be-
tween the United States and each OF
the states, and the people thereof, III
which states that rebellion is or may
be suspended or disturbed"
The recognition of the states by tue
judicial department of the government
has also been clear and conclusive III
all proceedings affecting them as states,
aud in the Supreme, Crcuit and DIS
trict Courts In the qualification of mem
beers. In the admission of Senators and
| Representatives from any aud all ot the
states, there can be no Just ground ol
apprehension that persons who are dis
loyal will be clothed with the powers o.
| LEGISLATION. 1t could not happen whel
tie constitution and the laws are en-
| forced by a vigilant aud faithful Con
| gress. Each house is made the Jndgt
of the election returns and quallfica
tions of its own members, and may
with the concurrence OF two thirds, ex
pel a member. When q Senator o.
| Representative presents his certificate
of his election he may at once be al
mitted or rejected; or should there bt
any question as to his eligibility, hi
credentials may be referred for investi
cation to the appropriate committee. L
admitted to a seat, it must be upon evl
dence satisfactory to the House of which
he thus becomes a member, that he
possess the requisite constitutional anC
| legal qualification; if refused admission
as member for want of due allegiance
TO the government, and returned to hii
constituents, they are admOnished thai
none but persons loyal TO the United
States will be allowed a voice in the leg
islative councils of the nation, and the
political power and moral influence o.
Congress are thus effectively exerted ia
the interests of loyalty to the govern
ment and fidelity To the Union. UpOr
this question, so vitality affecting the
restoration of the Union and the per
manence of our present form of govern
ment, my convictions, heretofore eX
pressed, have undergone no change
Int on the contrary their correctness
has been confirmed by reflection and
time If tie admission of loyal mem
bers, to seats IN the respective Houses
of Congress was wise and expedlent q
year ago, it is no less Wise aud eK'
pedient now, if this anomalous condition
is right
Now, If in the exact condition of these
States at the present time, it is lawful
to exclude them from representation,
do not see that the question will be
changed by the influence of time Ten
years hence, if the States remain as they
are, the right of representation will be
no stronger, the right of exclusion will
be no weaker. The advantage of adj
hitting loyal Southern members and
the constitution of the United States
make it the duty of the President TO
recommend TO the consideration of
Congress such measures as he shall
Judge necessary or eXpedient. L know
of no measure more imperatively de-
manded by every consideration of ma
tiOnal interests, sonnd policy, and equal
Justice, than the admission of the loyal
members from the now nnrepresented
States. This would consummate the
work of restoration and exert most sal
utaTy influence in the establishment
of peace. harmony and fraternal feeling.
1t would tend greatly to renew the con-
tidence of the American people in the
vIgor and stability OF their constitution;
it wOuld bind us more closely together
as nation, and enable US TO show the
world the inherent and recuperative
power of a government founded upon
the good will of the people, and estab-
lished upon the principles of liberty,
Justice and intelligence. Our increased
a.,