The Louisiana Democrat. [volume] (Alexandria, La.) 1845-1918, 1868-05-06

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power is not there found, io does not exist.
Under the Constitution, there are, and
there can be, no conquered, tributary, or
subject States. Equality of citizenship
and tho right of self-government have new
er been granted Or surrendered by the peo-
pie or States of the Republic. To do this
would be voluntary submission to the
chains and manacles of slavery. The right
of self-government constitutes the liberty
and freedom of the citizen. Without the
enjoyment OF this right no man can be
styled free; no man can enjoy the liberty
intended to be secured by the Federal Con-
stitution It is the dearest, the most es-
sential right Of American citizenship. It
cannot be taken away without totally SUBJ
verting the Constitution, and destroying
our system of Government altogether.
Sir, upon what provision of the Consti-
tuition can this bill rest? to what do its
friends appeal for their justification in it's
support? ] do not make this inquiry with
reference to the gentleman from Pennsyl-
vana. Mr.. Stevens.] He is consistent
and logical; he has never stultifed himself
by any pretended constitutional sanction.
He proclaims all the reconstruction meas
ures Of Congress aoutside the Constitu-
ton. But to those who admit the obliga-
tions and duty of obedience to the fnnda-
mental law of the land, / ask them in all
sincerity and honesty, under which of its
provisions or by what right do they justify
their action upon this bill
Article four, section three, provides
that
New States may be admitted by the
Congress into the Union but no new
State shall be formed or erected within the
jurisdiction of any other State; nor any
State be formed by the junction of two or
more States or parts of States without the
consent of the Legislatures Of the States
concerned, as well as of the Congress.
The State of Alabama is certainly not a
new State it is not State formed by the
junction of two or more States or parts OF
States it is not new State formed
within the jurisdiction of another State
And, Il it were new State so formed and
erected, there is no consent Of the Legisla.
ture Of the State concerned. There is
then no authority for this bill in this sec
ton, and it is the only provision of the
Constitution relating to the admission C!
States into the Union.
But if it be said that the purpose Of this
bill and the measures Of Congress preced-
ing it are only to reorganize government in
the State of Alabama and not to admit
the State, as new State, the inquiry is
still pertinent, where does Congress get
the authority? I have looked in vain to
find any authority for this even. / can
find no authority in the Constitution fol
any interference by Congress in the organ
ization or reorganization of a government
by the people Of an existing State Of the
Union. The right to form and reform, tc
organize and reorganize governments is
under our systems right original and in
heritent in the people. 1t is only the ex
ercise Of the right of selfgoyernment-tht
original right upon which all our State ane
and national governments are founded
The right to form and establish govern
ments does not come from Congress it il
not a constitutional grant. It's one ofth
rights never delegated, never parted witt
by the people. 1t was derived from
source higher than Congress or Parlia
ments. It is the right, the power to max
and unmake both. All the "just power
ofgovernment are by the consent Of til
governed"
If the right Of the people to cover
themselves be usurped or surrendered, t
that extent the people are enslaved. The
cannot part with it or allow it to be take
from them and be free. The people mus
either govern themselves or be goyerne
by Others. They must make their ow1
/ constitutions and laws, or submit to cor
situations and laws made for them. Th
right given up, conceded to Others, T
make the laws, the kind and quality of tn
laws, depend upon the will Of the maker
and the people are OF their mercy, line
are no longer free.
/ Sir, these views are too elementary
admit Of argument. The principles state
lie at the very foundation of the Republl
They were most clearly annunclated IN Il
]. Declaration of Independence, and are in
bedded in all our State and Federal Co
stitutions. They are the principles iupo
which alone our system OF government ca
be maintained.
Now, what does this bill propose?
! will not here stop to argue the question.
whether Alabama is State whether it
out of the Union. That it is q State al
I a State in the Union, ( have several tim
n shown in this House, to my own satisfa
: ton at least, and BY arguments and fac
o that cannot be refuted, denied oranswere
d 1t is an existing State in the Union, or t
; history of the last five years is a lie. 1t
t "a State in the Union, or the war for t
! preservation Of the Union and the va
expenditure of life and treasure nits mar
T. l -, Is, bobo1f "a a ,ynnnotro,s,;g orsr, a