The Weekly Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, O. [Ohio]) 1861-1???, 1866-12-07

4
vlded. The same recognition appears In the
recent legislation 10 reference 10 Tennessee,
when evidently rests upon the fact that the
functions OF the State were not destroyed
sy the rebellion, bat merely suspended; and
that principle is, Of course, applicable to
those States which, like Tennessee, attempt.
ed to renounce 'heir places In the Union,
The action OF the Executive Depart
ment OF the Government upon this subject
has been equally definite and uniform, and
the purpose Of the war was specific.
ally stated In the Proclamation issued by
my predecessor on the 92d day of Septem.
der, 1859. Il was then solemnly pro-
claimed and declared that thereafter, as
heretofore, the war will be prosecute d for
the object OF practically restoring the con-
sututonsl relation between the United
states and each OF the States and the
people thereof, in which States that rela-
ion Is or may DO suspended or disturbed"
Ihe recognition of the States by the
Judicial Department OF the Government.
has also been clear and conclusive in ali
proceedings affecting them as States, had
IN the Supreme, Circuit and District
Courts.
In the admission of Senators and Repre-
sentatives from any and all OF the States.
there can be no just ground Of apprehen-
sion that persons who are disloyal will be
clothed with the powers of legi ,lation for
this could not happen when the Constitu-
uon and laws are enforced by vigilant
and faithful Congress. Each House is
made the Judge OF the elections, returns.
and qualifications Of its own members"
and may, with the concurrence of two
thirds, expel member" When Sena-
tor or Representative presents hi, ceriih-
cate OF election, be may at once be admit
ted or rejected; or, should there be any
question as TO his eligibility, his creden-
tials may 6e referred for investigation to
the appropriate committee. II admit
ted to seat, IL must be upon evidence sat.
isfactory to the House of which he thus
becomes member, and he possesses the
requisite constitutional and legal qualifi-
cations. Ii refused admission as men,
Der for want Of due allegiance to the Gov
eminent, and returned to his constituents
they are admonished that none but per-
soDs loyal to the United States will be al
lowed voice in the Legislative Councils
of the Nation, and the political power and
moral influence Of Congress are us eff
fectively exerted in the interests of loyal
" TO the Government and fidelity to the
Union. Upon this question so vitally af-
fectlng the restoration OF the Union and
the permanency OF our present form of
Government, my convictions, heretofore
expressed, have undergone no chaege;
but, on the contrary, their correctness has
been confirmed by reflection and time
Ii the admission OF loyal members to seats
Ia the respective Houses of Congress was
wise and eXPedient ear ago, it is no
less wise and expe,!ient now. If this au-
omalous condition ia right now-if, in the
exact condition of these States at the pres
ent time, it is lawful TO exclude them from
representation, 1 do not see that the ques-
ton will be changed by the tfflux of time.
Ten years hence, If these States remain az
they are, the right of representation will
be no stronger-the right Ofexcusion will
be no weaker.
The Consti utiou of the United States
makes 1t the duty of the President to recon-
mend to the consideration OF Congress "such
measures as he shall judge necessary or ex.
pedient." l know OF no measure more im.
peratively demanded by every consideration
OF national interest, sound policy and equal
Justice, than the admit IN o. loyal members
IRON the now unrepresen,ed States. This
would eonsummate the work of restoration,
and exert most salutary influence in the
re-establishment ct peace, harmony and fra
ternal feeling. 1t would tend greatly to re-
new the confidence of the American people
In the vigor and stability of their institutions
1t would bind us more closely together as a
nation, and enable us to show to the world
Government founded upon the will of the
people, and established upon the principles
OF liberty, justice and Intelligence. Our iu-
creased strength and enhanced prosperity
would lrreiragioly demonstrate the fallscy OF
the arguments against free institutions drawn
from cur recent national disorders by the
enemies OF republican government The ad-
mission OF loyal members from the States
now excluded from Congress, by allaying
doubt and apprehension, would turn capital,
awaiting nv fOr In
into The channels OF trade and industry. 1t
would alleviate the present troubled condi-
ticn OF those States, and, by inducing emil
grafton, aid in the settlement Of fertile re-
glons now uocnliiVated, and lead to an in
creased production of those staples which
have added so greatly to the wealth Of the
nation and the commerce OF the world. New
fields OF enterprise would be opened to our
progressive people, and soon the devastations
oil war would be repaired, and all the traces
OF our domdsttc differences effaced from the
countrymen.
In our efforts TO preserve "the unity of
Government which constitutes US one peo-
ple," by restoring the States 10 the condi-
tion which they held prior to the rebel.
lion, we should be cautious, lest, having
rescued our nation from perils of threat.
ened d'sintegrationwe resort to consOlida-
tiop; and in The end absolute despotism,
as remedy for the recurrence of similar
troubl- 8. The war having terminated,
aud with it all occasion for the exercise of
powers of dOub ful constitutionality, we
should hasten to bring legislation within
the boundaries prescribed by the Cousti-
tuition, and to return to the ancient land
marks established by our fathers Tor the
guidance succeeding generations. "The
Constitution which at any time exists, un-
til changed by an explicit aud authentic
act of the whole people, is sacredly obli-
gatory upon all" at, in the opinion of
the people, the distribution or modifica-
tion OF the constitutional power be in any
particular wrong, let il he corrected by an
amendment in the way 10 which the Con-
stiIutiOn designates. But let there be no
change by usuip Ition; for it Is the Gus
tOmary weapon by which free govern
ments are destroyed" Washington spoke
these werds to his cOuntrymen, when, fol-
lowed by their love and gratitude, he vol
unfairly retired from the cares of public
life. "TO keep all things within the pale
of our constitutional powers, aud cherish
the Federal U0iOn as the only rock of
safety" were prescribed by JEFFERSON as
rules of action tO endear To his country
men the true principles Oi their COnelitu-
tiOn, aud promote q union of sentiment
and aclion equally auspicious to their han.
piness and safety" jackson held that the
action of the General G ,vernment should
always be strictly confined To the sphere
OF its appropriate duties, and justly and
foribly urged that our Government is not
tO be maintained or our Union preserved
"by invasiOns Dt the rights and powers of
tho several States In thus attempting to
make our General Government strong, we
make IL weak. Its true strength consists
In leaving individuals and Safes as much