Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-04-19
The Admission of the Southern Members
How to Accomplish It

From the New York News.l
What, then, is to be done2 The dema-
gogues exult to-day at their triumph
over the Executive. The success Of their
treachery and usurpation will make them
still more arrogant and reckless, and will
give their ambition wings to soar toward
a confirmed absolutism. They must be
met now, in the hour of their victory,
by measures prompt and decisive, that
will settle the issue and leave the field
permanently in the possession of one or
the other party. There must be moral
trial of strength between right and wrong,
between usurpation and legitimate au-
thority, between faction and the Execu-
tive, supported by the people. The
President, in his present position, is a
mere puppet. Eleven States and their
population, sienced and outlawed by
Radical dictatorship, have been kept out
of the arena. Their welfare, their safety,
their very political life depend upon the
issue in the settlement of which they are
denied all voice and participation. They
have the right to representation IN the
National Legislature. 1t is the duty of
the President to protect them in the en-
joyment of that right The vindication
of great principles, the interests Of the
people, the integrity of the Union, the
very essence of the Republic, in a word,
the enforcement of the Executive policy
of restoration, demands that the repro
sentatiyes Of the Southern States and
people should Immediately assume their
official functions-should take their seats
at once in the Senate Chamber and Hall
of Representative in the Capitol of the
United States.
The Radicals oppose their admission.
They bar the doors. They stand armed
with stolen and unlawful weapons to dis
pute the passage of duly elected members
of Congress 10 their rightfnl seats in the
National Legislature, Then why does not
the Chief Magistrate Of the Republic in
terpose his authority TO prevent this out
.age against the representatives of the
States and of the people ? He has the
power to do 30. He is Commander-in-
chief of the armies of the United States,
and has at his disposal an armed and dis
ciplined force amply sufficient to preserve
the peace at the seat of government, and
to enforce obedience to the laws beneath
the roof of the Capitol of the Republic.
Let day be fixed for the representatives
of the Southern States and people to take
their seats in Congress The seats are
there ready to receive the rightful claim
ants. Let them enter, take possession
Of their own and fulfill their official iunc-
tions. Should violence be offered them
by any man, or number of men, under
any pretense whatsoever, let the Presi-
dent send detachment of Federal troops
to preserve order in the Capitol IL
Radical conspirators attempt to sup
port their ururpation by force, the conse-
quences be upon their heads. 1t is time
the Republic should have complete and
constitutional national Legislature. We
have been ruled too long by faction. We
have been too long subject to the caprices
of fanatics. The country must be per
mitted to resume its normal condition,
and if revolutionists stand in the way,
the Executive arm is strong enough TO
sweep them from the path of restoration.