North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-03-13


compromises. Besides, our duty does not
in my Judgment, leave us choice between.
thatand ANY otbor,, | believe that It con-l
tains the remedy thatis so much needed,
and if the coordinate branches of the gov
ernment would unite upon its provisions.
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
tthe most-sacred guarantees Of that in>tru-
ment are those which declare that Zach
State shall have at least one representative
and that no State, without its consent shall
be deprived of equal suffrage in the 'Senate.
Each IiouseriS. made the ,lnd GO OF the. .elec-.
ton returns and qualification of it own
members, and may, with the concurrence
of two-thirds, expel a member Thus, as
heretofore urged, in the admission Of Sen
ators and Representatives from any and all
of the States there can be no just ground of
apprehension that persons who are dSloyal
will be clothed with the powers of legisia-
tion; for this could not happen, when the
Constitution and the laws are enforced by
vigi ant and faithful Congress. When
Senator or Repres ntative presents his GER
tifcate of election he may at once be ad--
mitted or rel cred or should there be any
.euestion of his eligibility his credentials
NAV he referred for investigation to the APP
propria;e committee. Ifalmitted to seat
it must b, upon evidence satisfactory to the
House of which he thus becomes member
that h. post sses the requisite constitution
al and legal qualifications. If refused ad-
mission as a member for want of due al
legianco TO the government, and retutnrd
to his constituents, they are almOni>hed
that none but persons loyal to the United
States will be allowed a voice in the legiS-
ative councils of the nation, and the politl-
cal power and moral Influence of Congress
are thus effectively eXerted in the interests
of loyalty to the government and fidelity to
the Union. Aud is it not far better that
the work of restoration should be accom-
plished by simple compliance with the
plain requirements of the constitution than
bv recourse to measures which IN effect
DESTROY the States and threaten the sub
version Of the general government All
that is nee nsSary to settle this simple but
important question, without further agita-
tiou or delay, is willingness on the part
of all to sustain the Constitution and carry
its provisions into practical operation.
II tomorrow either branch of Congress
wonld declare that upaa he presentation
of their credentials members constitutional
" elected and loyal to the general gov
crnment would be admitted 10 seats in
Congress. while all others wonll b. ex-
c.uded and their places remain vacant un
til the seleotiOn by the people of loyal and
qualified persons, and if at the same time
assurance were gwen that this policy
would be continued until all the States
were represented iE Congress, it would
send thrill OF Joy throughout the entire
lard a, indicating the Inauguration of svs
TEN Which must speedily bring tranquility
to the public mind While we are legis-
lating upon subjects VIII ch are of great
! Importance to the whole people and which
! must affect all parts of The country, not on
| lv during the life Of the present generation
bnt for a1eS to come, We should remember
-that ALI men are entitled at least to a hear
| ing in the counties which decide upon the
! destiny of themselves aud their children.
1t present ten States are denied rcprrsen-
talion. and when the Fcre'gn Congress as
sembies, on the 4th day of the present
month, sixteen States will be without a
voice in the House OF Representatives,
This grave fact, with the important que6-
ton before US, should induce Us to pause
in a course of legislation which, 'oOsiug
solely to the attainment Of political ends,
fails to consider the rights it transgresses,
the law which it violates or the institutions
which i! imperils.
ANDREW JOHNSON.
Washington, March ,, 1867.