Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1867-03-04

ed and sent forth t. the world unanimously by
the Senate, and with only two dissenting voices
in the House 1t was accepted by the friends
Of the Union ln the South, as we'll as in the
North, as expressing honestly and truly the
object of the war. On the faith of it, many
thousands Of persons in 10th sections gave
their lives and their fortunes to the cause. 10
repudate it now by refusing to the States and
to the individuals within them the rights which
secure to them, is a breach of our plighted
honor for which can imagine no excuse, and
to which cannot voluntarily become party.
The evils which spring from the unsettled
state of our Government will be acknowledged
by ALL Commercial intercourse is impeded,
capital IS 10 constant peril, public securities
huctuate in value, peace itself is not secure,
aud the sense Of moral and political duty is
impaired 10 avert these calamities from our
country, it is imperatively required that we
should Immediately decide upon some course
of administration which can be steadfastly ad-
hered to. | am thoroughly convinced that any
settlement, or compromise, or plan OF action
which is inconsistent with the priucip pies of the
| Constitution will not only be unavaing, but
mischievous; that it will but multiply the
present evils, instead Of removing them The
| Constitution, in its whole integrity and ylgor,
throughout the length and breadth oil the land,
| is the bes; Of all compromises. Besides, our
| duty does nor, in my Judgment, leave US a
choice between that and any other | believe
that it contains the remedy that is so much
needed, and that if the co ordinate branches OF
| the Government would unite upon It's proVl-
sions, they would be found broad enough and
strong enough to sustain in time OF peace the
nation which they bore safely through the
ordeal Of protracted civil war Among the
most sacred guarantees OF that instrument are
those which declare that each State shall have
at least one Representative, and that mo
State, without its consent, shall be deprived of
its equal suffrage in the Senate" Each House
is made the ''judge of the elections, returns
and qualifications of it's own MEMBERS and
may. with the concurrence Of tWo-thlrds,
expel member. >
Thus, rs heretofore urged, in the admis-
sion of Senators and Representatives from any
and all of the States, there can be no just
ground of apprehension that persons who are
disoyal will be clothed with the powers of leg
islation; for this could not happen when the
Constitution and the laws are enforced by a
vigilant and faithful Congress-. - When a
Senator or Representative presents his certif-
cate of election, he may at once be admitted
OF rejected Or, should there be any question
as to his eligibility, his credentials may be re-
ferred for investigation to the appropriate COM
mittee. If admitted to seat, 1t must be upon
evidence satisfactory to the House OF which he
thus becomes member that he possesses the
requisite constitutional and legal qualifications.
Ii refused admission as member tor want OF
due allegiance to the Government, and re-
u Il, ants how oHm MI
isbed that none but persons loyal to the United
States will be allowed voice in the Legisa-
tive Councils of the Nation, and the political
power and moral influence of Congress arc
TINS effectively exerted in the interests of
loyalty 10 the Government and fidelity to the
Union. And is it not far bettertha the work
of restoration should be accomplished by
simple compliance with the plain requirements
Of the Constitution, than by a recourse to mea-
sures which in effect destroy the States, and
threaten the snbversion OF the General Gov
ment? All that is necessary to settle this sim
! ole 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 operation Ii to-
| morrow either branch Of Congress would de-
| clare that, upon the presentation or their Gre
| dentals, members consttutonally elected and
| OVal to the Ueneral UOVeTnule1L WOuIu oe du-
| mittcd to seats in Congress, while all others
would be excluded, and their places remain
vacant until the selection by the people ofloyal
and qualified persons; and if, at the same tune,
assurance was given that this policy would be
continued until all the States were represented
| in Congress. it would send a thrill Of joy
throughout the entire land, as indicating the
! inauguration Of a system which must speedily
bring tranquility to the public mind.
| While we are lcglslatlug upon subjects which
are of great importance to the whole people,
aud which must affect all parts OF the country,
not only dariug the life of the present genera
| ton, but for ages to come, we should remem-
Der that all men are entitled at least 70 q hear
| ing in the councils which decide upon the des-
tiny of themselves and their children. At
| present ten States are denied representation,
and when the Fortieth Congress assemblies on
| the fourth day of the present mooth, sixteen
States will be without a voice in the House or
Representatives This grave fact, with the
| important question before us, should induce
US to pause in a course of Legislation which,
| looking solely to the attainment Of political
ends, fails to consider the rights it transgress-
es the law which it violates, or the lnstltu-
tion which it imperis.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
| WASHINGTON, March ., 1867. t
| ~FT1INC OFF To CLOSE BJJSI N ESS -