The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1867-03-14

legal government, we elevate them III
history to the rank of self-sacriticing
patriots, conseerate them to the adnli-
ration of the world, and place them by
the side of Washington, Hampden and
Sydney. No, let us leave them to the
infamy they deserve, punish them as
they should be punished, according to
law, and take upon ourselves no share OF
the odium, which they can bear alone.
1t is part of our public history Which
can never be forgotten that both Houses
of Congress in July, 1861, declared in
the form of solemn resolution that the
war was and should be carried on for no
purpose of subjugation, but solely to en-
force the Constitution and laws; and
that when this was yielded by the par
ties in rebellion, the contest should
cease. with the constitutional rights of
the States and of individuals unimpalr-
ed. This resolution was adopted and
seut forth to the world unanimously by
the Senate, and with only two dissent
ing voices in the House. 1t was accept
ed by the friends Of the Union i'll the
South, as we'll as in the North, as eX-
pressing honestly and truly the object Of
| the war. On the faith of it many thou
sands of persons in both sections gave
their lives and their fortunes to the
cause. 70 repudiate it now by refusing
to the States and to the individuals
within them the rights which the Con-
stitution and laws of the Union would
secure to them, is a breach Of our plight
ed honor for which | can imagine no ex-
euse, and to which | cannot voluntarily
become party.
The evils which spring from the I'M
settled state of our Government will be
acknowledged by all. Commercial III
tercourse is impeded, capital is in con-
slant peril, public securities huctuate in
| value, peace itself is not secure, and the
sense of moral and political duty is i'm
paired. 70 avert these calanities from
our country it is imperatively required
that we should Immediately decide up
on some course of administration which
can be steadfastly adhered to. | am
| thoroughly convinced that any settle
ment or compromise or plan Of action
piles of the Constitution will not only be
but multiply the present evils instead of
removing them.
The Constitution in its whole integri-
ty and vigor, throughout the length and
breadth OF the land, is the best of all COM
! P1OtillSCS. ioS9ISlSo3 Wi NQt,y OoGS lIOl.
in my Judgment leave US a choice be-
tween that and any other. believe that
it contains the remedy that is so much
needed, and that if the coordinate
branches of the Government would unite
upon its provisions, they would be found
broad enough and strong enough to sus-
tain in time of peace the nation which
they bore safely through the ordeal of d
protraeted civil war.
Among the most sacred guarantees of
that instrument are those Which declare
| that teach State shall have at least one
Representatives and that emo State.
without its consent, shall be deprived
of its equal suffrage in the Senaten-
Each House is made the "judge of the
elections, returns and qualifications of
its own MEMBERS and may, "with
the concurrence Of two-thirds, expeI
member" Thus, as heretofore urged,
in the admission of Senators and
Representatives from any and all of the
States, there can be no just ground of
apprehension that persons who are dis
loyal will be clothed with the powers of
legislation for this could not happen
when the constitution and laws are en-
forced by vigilant and faithful Con-
gress." "When Senator or Repre-
! OoAIeetANO PAO lI1o CC1 llllCdCt vi ClCC-
ton, he may at once be admitted or re-
jected or, should there be any question
as to his eligibility, his credentials may
be referred for investigation to the APP
propriate committees. If admitted to
seat, it must be upon evidence salts
factory to the House of which he thus
becomes a member, that he possesses
the requisite constitutional and legal
qualifications.
| If refused admission as member for
want OF due allegiance to the govern
ment, and returned to his constituents.
they are admonished that none but per-
sons loyal to the United States will be
allowed voice in the legislative coun-
ellis OF the nation, and the political
! power and moral influence of Congress
are thus effectively exerted in the in
terests of loyalty to the government and
fidelity to the Uhion.o And is it not
far better that the work of restoration
should be accomplished by simple COM
pliance with the plain requirements of
the constitution, than by recourse to
measures which in effect destroy the
States, and threaten the subversion Of !
the general government: All that is
necessary to settle this simnla hut Inn.