The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1866-03-17

upon credentials and the character ofmen and
the position of men, but upon the position OF
| the States which sent those men here. In othf 7
words, to use the language of the President
| again, when the question Is to be decided
whether they obey the Constitution, whether
they have fitting constitution of their own,
whether they are loyal, whether they are pre-.
pared TO obey the laws as a preliminary. as
the President says it is, to their admission.
we will say whether those preliminary require
ments have been complied with, and not he,
| and nobody but ourselves
! 1t was my very strong impression and opin
| ion with reference to this matter which in
! duced me to ask the Senate TO take up this
question now | deem il as transcendlnr in
! importance the question of the amendment Of
the Constitution which has been under dis.
cusson for several DAYS | deem that in the
/ present condition OF the country. situated as
weare, ittranscends in Importance every other
question Where are we, sir2 Let us allow
ourselves to consider for moment. IF we are
not TO inquire into and be satisfied of the con-
dlii0n oil these States, if We are not 10 inquire
and ascertain whether they are or are not in
such situation that they may safely come
here and govern. because when tbeY come
here they come as rulers but If somebody
else IS 70 settle that question for US, all that
Congress has to do is this; Sben a State
chooses TO go out Of the Union and make war
upon IT, il is to provide means for the occa
sion; when the State has been conquered and
is ready to come back again, it is to enquire
Of somebody else whether the State IS in a
condition 10 come back, and il to take the
men who are sent here, and may come here
with credentials from a military governor ap-
pointed by the President. without a word ex
cept as to their qualifications
Mr. President, this subject is one upon
which mach might be said have been prond
Of the fact-and perhaps | am, therefore. to
be bumbled-that | am a member Of the Sen.
ate Of the United States have deemed
that the position was great one, one of which
any man. no matter how great his powers.
might we'll r. proud and with which his III
most ambition might be well contented Whv?
| supposed that Senators we're somewhat in
the nature OF representatives Of the people,
although selected by the Legislatures of the
States; that Senators. like Representatives.
were sent here for the purpose Of guarding
the interests 81 the people. aud although other
officers were chosen for specific terms and ex.
ercised for the time greater power: that af.er
all the protection Of this government must be
touni IN It's Congre S; that public opinion was
represented here, the public wishes were ren.
resented here. the rights Of the whole peopla
we're guarded here, the money Of the people
was taken care OF here-I mean in Congress.
taking both Houses together ard that. II
fact all the essential powers of the govern.
ment. everything that was necessary In order
70 protect our form Of government republican
and to save tie ibestes Of the country rest
Ell IN the iaithiulness Of the Senators and
Representatives Of the United States. and in
their power to Judge Of what was necessary n
fFrrlar fr ~
BODIES. But, sir. II this is not 50. if they are
confined simply to q mere question of paperv,
to a mere question Of credentials 10 zmpIy
taking the opinions of Others as to who are
emitted TO seats u this BODY. 80 Gar as States
hafh- the night 10 send them here are con.
cerned, then | consider that we are reduced
. be mere creatures of circumstance. moth.
inss, no6odies; AT any time We may be over
whelmed: Al any time We may cease 10 be tn
check. which the Constitution intends We
should be. upon the Executive If the United
States-upon other brauche, of tie govern
ment; at any time We may lose al of which
We have been 50 justlypeond with reference 10
oar own condition as assigned by the Coasti-
luton ot tie nued States Senators will
pardon me, hoie. foF -peahi.r at such
length upon that subject
beltv1 that The President Is friend Of
Ht> t3AHt y ifteFe thAt ne lS 4 Natf1ntIC.
devoted citizen; that he would do nothing 10
iuure any Of itS institutions under any Gil.
euiaStances Il tic as aWaae. while ding IT,
oi what he w,4s doing believe. however,
IN reference 70 tins matter that ht has spoken
onguardediy His feelings in relation to the
admission q tennessee particularly and
these ether States, have carried him berond
what | believe in calmer moments and On
due consideration he would be wiling ia 20
far beyond what he himself on calm review
would find 1t N his power 10 stand hv This
part q his message is not well considered -
That is Ill choose TO sav ot liz. Bat II Il
message from the President Of the United
States. Il IS a part Of The record We
must eonsderlt L as part Of the record, and
whlie !; 20 stands as a reason given for We
tong biil OF Congress. we must treat il pre-
clseiy "a the same manner as if we believed
that every word OF il was intended | would
not inSlnuate for moment that the Presi-
dent would advance a sentiment that was
calculated to wound the Constitution in any
degree. on the contrary, believe he would
not. Nc man has shown greater attach
mentio It than be has and | wish to speak
OF him respectfully and kindly But whether
he means it or NOT, when lie a lyances opin-
ions and lays down principles which. in my
lndgmet, strike at the very existence of this
body as power in the Governments | can.
not bnt enter my solemn dissent from Il. and
call npon Congress to assert its own rights
and Us own position with reference to all
these questions.