Year: 1867




us tranquility, promote the general


welfare, provide for. the common de-


ie.se, Nz., ana secure the blessings OF lib


STI,ty 70 ourselves and our posterity.


ILN hhese great ends have been attained


nLei eLotoEe, 'e, and viii be again, by faith


!Ii. iut ooeGlenee IL nee 70 it, but they are GER


gard its sacred obligations.


1t was TO punish the gross c-i,,, ., r


defying the Constitution and yindic,ta


its supreme authority that we carria,S


on bloody war of four years duro-


ton. Shall We now acknowledge we


sacrificed q million of lives and ex


pended millions OF treasure to enforce


the Constitution which is not worthy


OF respect and preservation? Those


who advocate the right of secession al
legged in their own justification that we
had no regard for law, and that their
rights OF property, life and liberty
would not be safe under the Constitn-
tion asiad ministered by us. If now we
verify their assertion, we prove they
were in truth and fact fighting for their
liberty, and instead OF branding their
leaders with the dishOnoriug name OF
traitor against a righteous and legal
Government, we elevate them in histo-
~ as self-sacrificing patriots, ,consecrate
them to the admiration OF the world,
ana place them by the side of Wash
ington, Hampden and Sidney. No,
let us leave them TO the infamy they
deserve, punish them as they should be
punished, according to law, and take
upon ourselves no share of odium
which they should bear alone.


II is part of oHr public history
which can never be forgotten, that both
houses of Congress in July, 1861, de-
clared in the form OF a solemn resolu-
ton that the war was and should bo
carried on for no purpose of subjuga-
ton, but solely to enforce the Cousti-
tuition and laws, and that when this
the contest should cease, with the Com
stitutional rights of the States and in
dividuals unimpaired. This reSolu-
ton was adopted and sent forth to the
world unanimously by the Senate, and
with only two dissenting voices in the
House. 1t was accepted by the friends
of the Union in the South as well as in
the North, as expressing honestly and
truly The object of the war. On the
faith OF 1t many thousand persons in
both sections gave their lives and their
fortunes 10 the cause, and to repudiate
II now by refusing to the States and in
dividuals within them, the right which
the Constitution and laws of the Union
would secure to them, is breach OF our
pIIghted honor, for which 1 can imHg-
inc no excuse, and 10 which ! cannot
voluntarily become a party.


The evils which spring from the un-
settled state OF our government will be
acknowledged by all Commercial in
tercourSe Is impaired, capital is in con-
slant peril, public securities 1luctuate
in value, peace itself is not secure and
the sense of moral and political duty is
impaired. To avert these calamities
from the country ii is imperatively re-
quired that we should Immediately en-
ter upon some course of administration
which hn stead faEflr- Cd
am thoroughly convinced that any set
t!ement or compromise or plan of action
which is Inconsistent with the princi-
pies of the Constitution will not only
be unavailing, but mischievous that
1t will but multiply the present evils,
stitution in its whole integrity and
vigor throughout the length and
breadth of the land is the best of all
compromises. Besides, our duty does
not, in my judgment, leave US "a choice
between that and any other. believe
that 1t contains the remedy that is so
much needed, and ii the coordinate
branches of the government would
unite upon its provisions, they would
be found broad enough to sustain in
time of peace the nation which tbey
bore safely through the ordeal of a pro-
tracted civil war.


Among the most sacred guarantees
"a AAA1A ALSLA hIe EuOSE hQlcQ de-
clare thateach State shall have at least
one representative, and that no State.
without its consent, shall be deprived
of equal suffrage in the Senate. Each
House is made the judge of election re-
turns and qualifications of its own
members, and may with the concurr-
ence OF two-thirds e1pel a member.
Thus, as heretofore urged in the adj
mission OF Senators and Representa-
uYes from any and all the States there
can be no just grounds OF appTehen-
sion that persons who are disloyal will
for this could not happen when the con-
stitution and laws are enforced by a
vigilant and faithful Congress. When
a Senator or Representative presents
his certificate of election, he may be at
once admitted or rejected or should
there be any question of his eligibility,
his credentials may be referred for in
vestigation to an appropriate commits
tee. If admitted To a seat, il must be
upon evidence satisfactory TO the House
Of which he thus becomes a member
that he possesses the requisite consti-
tutional and loyal qualifications. II re-
fused admission as member for want
of due allegiance to the Government,
and returned to his constituents, they
are admonished that none but persons
loyal 10 the United States will be al
lowed voice in the legislative coun-
ellis Of the nation, and the political
power and moral intiu ence OF Congress
are thus effectively eXeried in the in
terests OF loyalty to the Government
and fidelity to the Union. And is il
not for that the work of restoration
should be accomplished by simple COM
pliance with the plain requirements OF
the constitution instead of by a recourse
to measures which in effect destroy
the States, aud threaten subYer-
sion sof the general Government?
All that is necessary TO settle the sim
pie but important question without
further agitation or delay, is a willing
ness on the part OF all 10 sustain the
Constitution and carry its provisions
into practical operation. II tomorrow
either House of Congress would declare
that upon the presentation of their ere
dentials members constitutionally
elected and loyal to the General Gov
eminent would be admitted TO seats in
Congress, while others would be exclu-
ded and their places remain vacant uB-
til the selection by the people OF loyal
and qualified persons, and If at the
same time assurance were given that
this policy would be continued until
all the States were represented, itwould
send a thrill of Joy throughout the en-
tire land as indicating thelinauguration
of a system which must speedily bring
tranq nality to the public mind.


While We are legislaing upon sub
jects which are OF great importance to
the whole people, and which must effect
all parts of the country, not only du-
ring the life of the present generation,
but for ages to come, we should remem.
Der that all men are entitled at least to
a hearing in the councils which decide
upon the destiny of themselves and
their children. At present ten States
are denied representation, and when
the Fortieth Congress assemblies on the
fourth day of the present month, six