The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-09


tnittee, the fact of the reference on the ground
assigned by General Logan forms precedent
that cannot safely be recognized. A specific
accusation against an individual applicant for
seat, as urged by Mr.. Schenok in the case
of Judge Young is, On its face, regular and
lust Mr. Mckee, the contestant, had filed
a protest, preferring, among other charges,
that of disloyalty; and though Mr.. Young
repeis the accusations In their order with a
clearuess that looks not unlike truth the
House had no alternative but TO make the
matter the subject of inquiry. General Logan,
however, introduced an altogether differ
ent element into the question. Without
specifications of any sort to rest upon--with-
out evidence that the seat of any member
other than Mr.. Young's Is disputed by his
opponent or called in question by any portion
Of his constituency, General Logan laid down
the principle that the State itself may be dis
franchised, because the politics of its people do
not come up to his standard of loyalty. |He
was not willing to sit there and allow any man
to take the oath when he knew that that mem
ber's constituents were disloyal and would
send no other kind of man to Congress if they
could avoid it." So he is reported to have
spoken. His action was predicated, then, not
upon the known dsloyalty of the Kentucky
delegation, but upon the presumption that
they are disloyal, because that is the alleged
character of the prevailing sentiment in the
State. rr1 o. afl.la ouns i1 .nratlh a1ctol B.
1t Is not surprising that Mr.. Bingham pro-
tested against a doctrine that would enable
Congress not merely to exclude Objectionable
members, but practically to disfranohise any
State whose party affnities may differ from
those of the majority. The wonder is that the
House entertained a proposition which assails
the fundamental right of States to representa-
ton. For if General Logan may to-day de-
prive the Kentucky members of their seats by
the bare assertion that their State is disloyal,
what shall hinder some other member, to-
morrow, from shutting out New York, or Con-
necticut, or Indiana, if the complexion of its
voting be not agreeable to the party dominant
in Congressl ,....,..
Mr.. Speaker Colfax processes to have found
a justification for the wholesale reference in
the adoption Of similar proceeding last Con-
gress in regard to Tennessee. But the cases
are not analogous. Tennessee was one of the
States excluded by their own acts from the
privileges of the Union. 1t had been, to all
intents and purposes, Rebel State. And its
exceptional treatment in respect of readmis-
sion arose in part from the loyal character of
its Representatives. The Committee on Elec-
tions was, therefore, the proper tribunal to
determine the facts on which the question of
admission or exclusion depended. The posi-
ton of Kentucky affords no room for this issue.
1t never was out of the Union. It's population
contributed largely to the Rebel armies; no
doubt it largely sympathized with the Confe-
racy; and it is certain that the Democratic
party, who were victorious in the last election,
evinced disgraceful preference for candidates
who in spirit, if not in the body, warred
against the Union. Inasmuch, however, as
the State never forfeited its rights as member
of the Union, the Speakers acceptance of
General Logan's dogma on the plea that a
precedent had been set in the case of Tennes-
see, falls to the ground.
The question derives much of its import
anoe from the known desire of an extreme
party to bring Kentucky, Maryland, and Della
ware within the range of Congressional inter
ference. Against all the charge of disloyalty
is preferred the circumstances relied upon to
sustain it being their failure to grant negro
suffrage and the n-disfranchisement of citi-
zens alleged to be disloyal. Behind and above
all is the support they render to the Demo-
cratic party and the continued election OF OBJ
noxious representatives. Hence the might of
Congress is invoked to "rehabilitate" these
States on the basis of negro Suffrage to be
ooupled-as some contend--with scheme of
disfranchisement akin to that which breeds
disaffection and danger in Tennessee. Cover
nor Brownlow, too, relies upon Congress for
help, it, Notwithstanding his usurpation and
his unlawful plans, the people refuse to re-elect
him. ,-a t
We are not at liberty to scout these propo-
sails and pretensions as absurd, and therefore
unworthy of serious notice. That they are
monstrous, Judged by constitutional stand
ard, cannot be denied; but they are in no
degree worse than the precedent inaugurated
by General Logan in reference to the Kentucky
Representatives TO impugn the right of the
constituencies in State within the Union to
send whom they please-subject only to the
tests already established-is, in effect to
reduce the States to the grade Of provinces,
over all the affairs of which Congress may
exercise Jurisdiction. If this be acquiesced in,
the proposed work of rehabilitation" may
be expected to proceed without let or him
drance, .l 40 -.f r.. ..H ....e.
We indicate the danger broadly, but with
ont any belief in its imminence. 1t shows
what would be if certain extremists obtained
the mastery, rather than what is in any way
probable. The measure introduced again by
Mr.. Sumner, and the ground assumed by
General Logan, are proofs sufficient of the ex-
isteuce of tendency to make loyalty pre-
tense for overthrowing the most sacred rights
of States within the Union. On the other
hand, the proceedings of the last few days
have established both the ability and the pur-
nose of q large Republican majority to dis
eountenance extreme measures, and to hold
in check the men who promote them. The
sama GOOD sense and moderation which carried
the present reconstruction scheme over the
onposition of the ultraists, have eVinced theii
nnrpose and power by the passage OF resolu
tions limiting the business of the session Il
tbe single question of amending the law. II
is evident from these resolutions that the
strength Of the dominant party is not on the