Clarksville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1865-1867, 1866-06-22
RECONSTRUCTION.
The Report from the Star Chamber
Committee.

Below we give from the National lntelli-
ligencer, of the 9Th inst, the concluding and
essential portion of the report Of the Com
mittee on Reconstruction, appointed at the
opening of Congress in December last. The
first portion is devoted to discussion Of the
condition of the Southern people at the close
of the war-of the origin of the war, and It's
leading political incidents-ofthe condition
of the States as component members of the
Federal Union-of the power of the Presi-
dent over the question of reorganization-of
his unwise clemency TO prominent leaders of
the Southern movement---of the demands of
the Northern people as conquorers in the
civil war; and the duties of their representa-
tives.
Reverdy johnson, Senator from Maryland,
Henry Grider, of Kentucky, and Andrew ].
Rogers, of New Jersey, Representatives,
and members of the committee, dissent, and
give notice that they will submit minority
report.
Say the majority:
We now propose to state, as briefly as
possible, the genral facts and principles ap-
plicable TO all the States lately in rebellion
First. The seats of Senators and Repre-
sentatives for the so-called Confederate
States became vacant in the year 1861, du-
ring the second session of the seth Congress,
by the voluntary Withdrawal. Of their fhcum-
bents, with the sanction and by direction of
the Legislatures or Conventions of their re-
spective States. This was done as hostile
act against the Constitution and Govern
ment of the United States, with declared
intent to overthrow the same by forming a
Southern confederation. This act of de-
clared hostility was speedily followed by an
organization of the same States into a con-
federacy which lived and waged war, by sea
and land, against the United States. This
continued more than four years, within which
period the rebel armies beseiged the national
capital, invaded the loyal States, burned
their towns and cities, robbed their citizens,
destroyed more than $4,000 loyal soldiers,
and imposed an increased national burden OF
not less than SO, 500, 900, ,0000 Of which sew
en- or eight hundred millions have already
been met and paid. From the time these
Confederate States thus withdrew from their
representation in Congress and levied war
against the United States the great mass oi
their people became and were insurgents
trators--and all of them assumed and occu-
pied the political, legal and practical relation
of enemies of the United States. This posi-
tion is established by acts of Congress and
judicial decisions, and is recognized repeat
edly by the President in public proclama.
tions.
Second. The States thus confederated
prosecuted the war against the United States
TO final arbtrament, and did not cease until
all their armies were captured, their military
power destroyed, their civil officers, State
and Confederate, taken prisoners and put to
flight, every vestige Of State and Confede-
rate Government obliterated, their territory
overrun and occupied by the Federal ar
mics, and their people reduced to the condi-
ton of enemies conquered in war, entitled
only by public law to such rights, privileges
and conditions as might be vouchsafed by
the conqueror. This position is also estab,
lishcd by judicial decisions, and is recognized
by the President in public proclamations
documents, and speeches.
Third. Having voluntarily deprived them
selves Of representation in Congress for the
criminal purpose Of destroying the Federal
Union, and having reduced themselves by
the act of levying war to the condition o.
public enemies, they. have no right TO com
plain of temporary exclusion from Congress
but, on the contrary, having Voluntarily re.
nounced their right to representation, aud
disqualified themselves by crime from par
ticpation in the Government, the burder
now rests upon them; before claiming TO b,
reinstated in their former conditions, to show
that they are qualified to resume Federal re.
lations. In order to do this, they must prov,
that they have established with the consen
Of the people, republican forms of govern
ment in harmony with the Constitution an(
laws of the United States; that all hostil
purposes have ceased; and should give ,ade
quate guarantees against future treason ant
rebellion, which will prove satisfactory t,
the Government against which they re
belled, and by whose arms they were sub
dued.
Fourth. Having by this reasonable with
drawal from Congress, and by fragrant re
bellion and war, forfeited all civil and politi
cal rights and privileges under the Fedora
Constitution, they can only be restored there
to by the permission and authority of tina
constitutional power against which they re
belled, and by which they were subdued.
Fifth. These rebellious enemies wer
conquered by the people of the United States
acting through all the coordinate branche
OF the Government, and not by the Execu
tive Department alone. The powers of con
Iqueror are not so vested in the Presiden
that he can fix and regulate the terms of set
tlement and confer Congressional represen
tation upon conquered rebels and traitors
Nor can he, in any way qualify enemies O
the Government TO exercise its law making
power. The authority to restore rebels :
power in the Federal Government can b
eKercised only with the concurrence of al
the departments in which political power
vested. And hence the several proclama
tions Of the President to the people of tn
Confederate States cannot be considered q
extending beyond the purposes declared, an
can only be regarded as provisional permi;
sion by the Commander-in-c chief of the arm
to do certain acts, the validity whereof is {
be determined by the Constitutional Gov
ernment and not solely by the Executiv
power.
Sixth. The question before Congress
then, whether conquered enemies have til
right and shall be permitted, a. their ow
pleasure, and on their own terms to partic
pate in making laws for their conqueror
whether conquered rebels may change the
: theatre of operations from the battlefield
where they were defeated and overthrow
> to the halls OF Congress and through the
Representatives seize the Government whic
they sought 10 destroy; whether the nationi
treasury, the army OF the nation, its for
and arsenals, its whole civil administration
its credit It's pensioners, the widows and o.
phans of those who perished in the war, Il
public honor peace and safety shall all I