Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-01-01

The case Of Georgia unquestionably offers on,
Of the most kuotty problems that Congress ha,
to solve It is question on which honest and
loyal men may and do differ The main point.
in the controversy are as follows: The new
State government of Georgia was Professionally
organized last summer under the Reconstruction
laws, and was duly recognized by Congress.
Soon after the close OF the last session the Legs
lature elected two United States Senators, Messrs.
Hill and Miller. short time afterwards that
body deliberately and unlswfully expelled all of
its colorei members, This action was in direct
violation Of the Reconstruction laws, and was
simply the work of a disloyal, negro-hatiuc
assembly. Early in the present session Of Con-
ress, the credentials Of Mr.. Hill were presented,
but, in consequence Of the peculiar course of the
body that elected him, he has not yet been al
mittel. Both the gentlemen elected from that
State were Union men. Both have the certih-
Gates Of the Legislature, and Of General Meade,
commanding the department. Governor Bullock
snd large party, however. arr opposed to their
admission, and denouuce the legislature as an
illegal and iisloyal body. So much for the facts
in the case.
The Senate is divided, and it is impossible to
say what action Will be taken in the premises.
On one hand, it is urged that the consent of
Congress to the admission Of Georgia cannot oe
revoked that to repeal the bill that accepted
the reconstruction of that State as satisfactory
and complete, would establish "a dangerous pre-
celent, and would be violent exercise Of arbi-
trary power; that it woull involve the loss of
Ge0rgia's ratification of the l4th amendment.
and consequently the defeat Of that proposition
that it Is better to suffer the present State gov
ernment to continue, AMI trust to time to i'm
prove its character; and that, rs there is no
personal objection to Messrs. Hill and Miller. |
hey should at once be given their seats. On |
he other hand, it Is maintained that subse- |
luent intormatian has shown the Legislature Of |
ieorgia to be a disloyal and Illegal body; that it
: perfectly lawful and proper for Congress to !
eyerse its action in admitting that State: that,
Incorrect representations were made to Con- |
ress to the character Of their State orcaniza-
ion by citizens Of that State, they are alone to |
lame, and their further exclusion from the |
jnion viii be deserved punishment; that the
xpulsion Of the colorei members of the Legisla-
ure was the arbitrary act Of a majority, in de
ance Of justice and law; and that if the Legis-
lture has forfeited its claim to be considered a
agal and constitutional body, then the election of
iessrs. Fill and Miller is void and without
feet. 1t is further maintained that reconstruc-
ion was intended to be and must be thorough in
he outset, and that there is manifest injustice
n admitting Georgia, to the exclusion Of Viz
mia, Texas, and Mississippi, which are equally.
not more loyal. Gov Bullock further takes
ne ground that a large number Of the white
lembers Of the Legislature were ineligible under
he Reconstruction Laws.
The more Radical Senators, like Sumner and
onkling, are in favor Of overthrowing the pre-
mt State Government, and compelling Georgia
correct the injustice done to the negroes Sen
tor Edmunds also takes this view Of the ques-
on, and has introduced a bill to that effect,
hich is said to be likely to pass There is much
fmpathy for the Georgia Senators in Washing
N, but Congress cannot, out of regard to their
ersonal and political fitness, endorse such
onstrous outrage as that Of the Georgia Legis-
ture.
One thing is already proved by these Georgia
faculties, viz that the haste of Congress to
INIT this and other imperfectly reconstructed
ates, last summer, was mistake The lesson
iould not be without its effect on the cases of the
ates that are still outside Of the Union.
Opposition to the reconstruction laws has
morally ceased, and Congress will be respon-
bic if it fails to make the three remaining States
IMPLY fully and unequivocally with the letter
ID spirit of the law.