Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1867-03-15

3
require. Ii is TO be expected that upon
such question there would be diverse
views expressed. Men whose opinions are
in accord with those of the community
among which they live, will find ii safe to
express their opinions freely, and will ties
tify that free speech is allowed; they will
conduct their business without interior.
ence, and will not observe that hindrances
are opposed 10 loyal men; they are protect
ell in person, property and life. and appre-
ciate no danger which they never feel
And when the question connects itself
political differences, such diverse views be-
come more apparent and difficult TO recon
Gle. II is obvious that such difference eX-
lists at Washington. 1t is equally SO that
they find place in Louisiana. Those who
are known there and marked as Union
Men, advocate political views widely
differing from those held by the late officers
and soldiers in rebel armies, and by the
men citizens or soldicrs-who maintain
that traitors defeated in attemps TO break
up the Government had yet n right under
the Constitution TO voice and vote in Con
gress. and TO immediate restoration to
former political power. If, then, in order
TO just determination of the question
which the committee has been charged to
answer the only means offered US had been
the opinions Of men, there might be in our
mind uncertainty and some misgiFings lest
political biaseS had affected the judgment
of the committee. But that Congressional
action should be had, is settled by fact and
not opinion. When men are driven from
their homes. and their lives threatened, and
their property INSTRUMENTATION in bust
ness they are proScribed-whe recent rcb-
els hold all places of trust, and, Laying
power, use it 20 Cypress and punish loyal
men because they are and have been loyal
when the whole body of colOred men
who have never fiinched from duty as ra6i-
cal loyalists when the days were gloomiest
and the dangers greatest in the time of
war. are prosecuted by system, hunted like
wild beasts, and slaughtered without mer-
cy and with entire immunity from punish
ment, there is no room left for doubt that
some legislative remedy should be applied.
These are matters of fact and not of opin-
ion, and. in our Judgment, but one course
is open and that should be pursued with
out hesitation or delay. According TO the
Judgment of all who have felt the presence
of rebel rule and have stood firmly and
fearleSsly for the Union when treason was
nearest 10 success. whose augment, given
upon oath. is based upon facts within per-
sonal experience; who give opinions rest
ing on knowledge. and speak of what they
have seen and known, the present civil
Government of Louisiana, existing without
sanction of national law, should be suspen-
ded by act of Congress, and a provisional
Government established and maintained by
when Louisiana is controlled by loyal men,
and may be restored 10 the former ''practi-
cal relations to the Union without endan-
gering its security and peace.
RIGHTFUI POWER ~ CONGRESS To LEGISLATT.
The imperative necessity Of such legisla-
ton TO this end that Louisiana shall be
within the control of loyal men and not
subject to the rule of the same rebel lea
ders, military and civil, who conducted the
war against the Government during the
rebellion. is fully demonstrated by facts in
proof before the committee.
Tie rightful power in Congress TO act
has been the subject of so full debate and
argument that we do not deem it within
our province tG reState at length the
ground upon which il rests.
Among the States corfederated in rebel
lion, Louisiana assumed a leading place,
and furnished her full proportion of troops
and means and munitions of war. The
State was arrayed against the Government.
By the choice of her own people her ale
glance TO the United States was abjurcd,
and was pledged to another Government
engaged in war against them.
The political rights and powers and
privileges heretofore possessed and enjoyed
within the Union were wilfully abandoned
and forfeited. The war was waged
against the Union until the whole military
power of the Confederate States was ami
hilated, and the rebellion crushed out by
armies of the Government.
That Government then held entire and
exclusive possession of Louisiana. What
ever the political relations were which en-
sted between the citizens ofI.ouisiana and
he rebel Observation-Disclosures State or
Conicderate-which claimed their allegi
,nce. and to which that allegiance had
been willingly rendered during the civil
var, they were suspended fora season at
he discretion of the cOnquering party, by
;onfederalcd rebellion and by the fact of
Iictory. The conquered country remains
within the power of the United States to
,e held according to law until the safety
If the Republic shall be assured.
Until such time as Congress shall act, |
md the political state shall be in full COM
nunion with the United States, the Gov
,Inment of the State, however established, |
must, for the necessity of the case, be
emporary, inchoate and incomplete.
BY act of the Nations Congress, such |
government may be recognized, confirmed |
nd sanctioned, or it may be dIsapproved |
nd set aside as the safety of the nation l
hall require.
Within Louisiana, civil government has /
'een organized, and Constitution framed, |
5 here set forth.
The military authority of the United |
states virtually controls the State at this /
ilne, ant it must control ii until such civil |
government Is established and such Con- !
titution ordained by the people of Louisi-
ma as shall assure safety 10 the Republic, |
nd receive the legislative sanction of the /
congress of the United States.
These results follow of necessity from |
he fact of successful war. They are the !
ruits of victory. Without them the war |
n the part of the United States has been,
D this extent waged in yain-that while
ictory has crowned the valor OF our armies, |
ur Government would be left powerless /
ither to impose terms of peace or provide |
gainst rebellion or attempted secession in
ne future.
These results you'd not follow if the re-
elton had been instruction merely and |
OF civil war. But the Congress of the
-nited States for four years legislated
I view of war, and our soldiers gave
lemselves to service during the war"
/, then, il was war, victory has disclosed
he rights and the powers which .he high
st consideration Of duty compel us to use.
Int the war was conducted by the United
tates pursuant to powers recognized by
ne Constitution, to prevent secession and
reserve the Union
The rebel State was at war, it is true. and
Tas defeated in its attempt 90 overthrow
ne Government. But we would not use
ho r.nuar -. xr;cfarx bae ...,-o- |