The tri-weekly standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1866-1868, 1867-03-07

resentatives from any and all of the States,
there can be no just ground OF apprehen-
sion that persons who are disloyal will be
clothed with the powers of legislation; for
| this could not happen when the Constitution
and the laws are enforcedb avigilant and
| faithful Congress-" When a Senator or
Representative presents his certificate of cleo
ton, he may at once be admitted or rejected !;
or, should there be any question as to his
eligibility, his credentials may be referred for
investigation to the appropriate committee.
If admitted to a seat, it must be upon evil
dence satisfactory to the House of which he
thus becomes member, that he possesses the
requisite constitutional and legal qualifica-
TONS If refused admission as member for
want of due allegiance to the Government,
and returned to his constituents they are adj
monished that none but persons loyal to the
United States will he allowed q voice in the
Legislative Councils of the nation, and the
political power and moral influence of Con-
gress are thus effectively exerted in the inter
ests of loyalty to the Government and tideli-
ty to the Union" And is it not far better
| that the work of restoration should be &C
complished by simple compliance with the
plain requirements of the Constitution than
| by recourse to measures which in effect
destroy the States, and threaten the subver-
sion of the general Government All that
| is necessary to settle this simple but impor-
tant question without further agitation or
| delay, is a willingness on the part of all to
sustain the Constitution and carry its provis-
ions into practical operation. If tomorrow
either branches of Congress would declare
that, upon the presentation of their creden-
tials, members constitutionally elected and
| loyal to the general Government would be
admitted to seats in Congress, while all 9th
ers would be excluded, and their places re-
main vacant until the selection by the peo-
pie ofloyal and qualified persons; and if, at
the same time, 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 tranquil
ity to the public mind.
While we are legislating upon subjects
which are of great Importance to the whole
people and which must affect all parts of
the country, not only during the life Of the
present generation. but for ages to conceive
should remember that all men are entitled at
least to hearing in the councils which de-
eide upon the destiny of themselves and
their children. AT present ten States are
denied representation, and when the For
tleth Congress assemblies on the fourth day
of the present month, sixteen States will be
without yo;:rr in tlle House of Representa-
tives This grave TACT, with the important
questions before us, should induce us to
pause in course of legislation, which, look
ing solely to the attainment of political ends.
fails to consider the rights it trangresses, the
law which it violates, or the institutions,
which it imperils.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
WAsHINGToN, March 2, 1867.