Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-05

and on. the faith Of it..made thousands in
both sections give their lives and fortunes
totae cause. To repudiate it nov by re-
fiising to the States and individuals within
them the rights, which the constitution and
laws of the Union would secure to them,
is breach Of oar plighted honor, for which
| can imagine no excuse, 10 which | cannot
1yoluntarily become a party. The evils
| which spring from the Unsettled stale of our
| government viii be acknowledged by all.
| Commercial intercourse is suspended, CAPT
tai is in constant peril public securities
| huctuate in value, peace itself is not secure,
and the cause of moral and political duty
is unimpaired to arrest these calamities
from the country 1t is imperatively re-
quired that we should Immediately decide
upon some course of administration which
can be steadiastly adhered to. / am thor
oughly convinced that any settlement, or
compromise, or plan of action which is In
consistent with principles of the eonstitu-
ton, viii not only be unayailing, but
mischievous; that it but multiplies
the resent evils, instead of maintaining
the constitution in its whole integrity
and vigor throughout the length and
breadth oftheland is best ofall compromises.
Besides our duty does not, in my Judgment,
leaveus a,choice between that and any
other. / believe that it contains the rene
dy that is 30 much needed and if the Co
ordinate branches ofthe government would
unite upon its provision they would be
found broad enough and strong enough to
sustain in time of peace, a nation which
they can bear through the ordeal of a pro-
ii a. frba
antees Of that instrument are those which
declare each State shall have at least one
representative, and that no State, without
its consent, be deprived ofequal suffrage in
the Senate each House is made Judge of
election returns and qualifications of its
own members, and may, with concurrence
oftwo-thirds, expel a member. Thus, as
heretofore urged in the admission of Sena-
tors and Representatives from any and all
States, there can be no just ground of APP
prehension that persons who are disloyal
will be clothed with powers of legislation,
for this could not happen when the consti-
tuition and laws are enforced by a yigilant
and faithful Congress. When Senator or
Representative presents his certificate of
election, he may be at once admitted or re-
iected ; or should there be any question of
his eligibility, his credentials may be re-
ferred for investigation to an appropriate
committee If he is admitted to a seat, it
must be upon evidence satisfactory to the
the House, of which he thus becomes a
member, that he possesses the requisite
constitutional and legal qualifications, and
ifrefused admission as a member for want
Of due allegiance to the government and
returned to his constituents, he is admon-
ished that none but persons loyal to the
United States will be allowed a voice in
the Legislative councils of the nation, and
the political power and moral influence of
Congress are thus effectively exerted in the
interest of loyalty to the government and
fidelity to the Union. And is it not for
the better that the work of restoration should
be accomplished by simple compliance |
with the plain requirements of the eonsti- !
ttsiion, than by recourse to measures |
which in effect destroy the States and |
threaten subversion of the general govern |
ment? All that is necessary to settle this |
simple but important question, without !
further agitation or delay, is a willingness |
on the part of all to sustain the constitution |
and carry its provisions into practical ope- |
ration. Congress would declare that the |
u tt1Stf GttO6httdlS, IheulDtfA
elected and loyal to the |
general government, would be admitted |
to seats in Congress, while others would |
be excluded and their places remain |
vacant until the election by the people of !
loyal and qualified persons, and If, at the |
same time, assurance were given that this |
policy would be continued until all the |
States were represented, it would send
thrill of JOY throughout the entire land, as
indicating the inauguration of system
which must speedily bring tranquility to
the public mind, While we are legislating |
upon subjects which areof great importance
TO the whole people, and which must effect |
all parts of the country, not only during |
the life of the present generation, but for |
ages to come, we should remember that all |
men are entitled at least to a hearing in
councils which decide upon the destiny of !
themselves and children. At present ten
States are denied representation, and when |
the 10th Congress assemblies on the 4th day |
Of the present month, sixteen States will be |
without a voice in the House of Represen-
tatives. This grave fact, with the impor-
tant question before us, should induce us 10
pause in a course of legislation which,
looking solely to the attainment of political
ends, fails to consider the right it trans
crosses, the law which it violates, or the
institutions it imperils.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
f WASHINGTON, March 2, 1866