Year: 1866

# ' & .
ing Congress by loyal Representatives, solicit
ting the allowance of the constitutional right
for representation. At the time, however, of
the consideration and the passing of this bill
there was no Senator or Representative in
Congress from the eleven States which are to
be mainly affected by its provisions.


The very fact that reports were and are made
against the good disposition of the people
of that portion of the country is an addi-
tional reason why they need and should have
representatives of their own in Congr to
explain their condition, reply to accusations.
and assist by their local knowledge in the
perfecting of measures Immediately affecting
themselves. While the liberty of delibera-
ton would then be free, and Congress would
have full power to decide according to its
Judgment, there could be no objection urged
that the States most interested had not been
permitted to be heard. The principle is
firmly in the minds of the American people.
that there should be no taxation without rep
resentation. Great burdens have now to be
borne by all the country; and we may best
demand that they shall be borne without
murmur when they are voted by majority
of the representatives of all the people. |
would not interfere with the unquestionable
right of Congress to judge, each House for
ITSELF " of the elections, returns and quail
fcations of its own members" But thatau
thority cannot be construed as including the
right to shut out in time of peace any State
from the representation to which it is enti-
tied by the Constitution. At present all the
people of eleven States are excluded-those
who were most faithful during the war not
less than others. The State of Tennessee,
for instance, whose authorities engaged in re-
bellion, was restored to all her constitutional
relations to the Union by the patriotism and
energy of her injured and betrayed people.
Before the war was brought to a termination
they had placed themselves in relations with
the General Government, had established a
State government of their own, and as they
were not included in the emancipation proc
lamation, they by their own act had amen
ded their constitution so as to abolish slave
ry within the limits of their State. | know
no reason why the State of Tennessee. for
example, shonld not fully enjoy all her con-
stitutional relations to the United States.


The President of the United States stands
towards the country in somewhat different
attitude from that of any member OF Con-
gress. Each member of Congress is chosen
from single district or State; the President
is chosen by the people of all the States. As
eleven States are not at this t ne represented
in either branch of Congr, IS it would seem
to be his duty on all proper occasions to pre-
sent their just claims to Congress. There al
ways will be differences of opinion in the
community, and individuals may be guilty
of transgressions of the law, but these do not
constitute valid objections against the right
of State to representation. 1 would in no.
wise interfere with the discretion of Congress
with regard to the qualifications of members,
but hold it my duty to recommend to you
in the interests of peace and in the interests
of Union, the admission of every State to its
share in public legislation, when. however
insubordinate, insurgent, or rebellious its
people may have been, it presents itself not
only in an attitude of loyalty and harmony,
but in the persons of representatives whose
loyalty cannot be questioned under any
existing constitutional or legal test
It is plain that an indefinite or permanent
exclusion of any part of the country from re-
presentation must be attended by spirit of
disquiet and complaint. 1t is unwise and
dangerous to pursue course of measures
which will unite very large section of the
country against another section of the coun-
try, however much the. latter may prepon-
derate. The course of emigration, the de
velopment of industry and business, and
natural causes, will raise up at the Sou6l men
as devoted 20 the Union as those OF any other
part of the land. But if they are all eycud-
ed from Congress; if in Il permanent statute
they are declared not to be in full constitu-
tional relations to the country, they may
think they have cause to become a unit in
feeling and sentiment against the Government


Under the political education of the Ameri-
can people, the idea is inherent and ineradi-
cable, that the consent of the majority oftht
whole people is necessary to secure willing
acquiescence in legislation.


The bill under consideration refers tc
certain of the States as though they had not
been fully restored in all their constitutional
relations to the United States" If they have
not, let us at once set together to secure that
desirable end at the earliest possible moment,
1t is hardly necessary for me to inform Con
gress that in my own judgment most of these
States. so far at least as depends upon theil
own action, have already been fully restored
and are to be deemed as entitled to enjoy
their constitutional rights as members OF tho
Union. Reasoning from the Constitution it
self, and from the actual situation OF the
country. feel not only entitled, but bound
to assume that with the Federal courts re-
stored, and those of the several States in tht
full exercise of their functions the rights and
interests ofall classes of the people viii, with
the aid of the military in cases of resistance
to- the law, be essentially protected against
unconstitutional infringement and violation
Should this expectationunhappily fail, which
do not anticipate, then the Executive j:
already fully armed with the powers conferred
by the act of March, 1866, establishing th'
Freedmens Bureau, and hereafter, as hereto
fore, he can employ the land and naval forcc


of the country to suppress insurrection or tt
overcome Instructions to the laws.


In accordance with the Constitution, re


turn the biIlto the Senate, in the earnest hop
that measure involving questions and in


terests SO important to the country viii no


become law, unless upon deliberate con
sideration by the people it shall receive tn


sanction of an enlightened public Judgment


sss II e ANDREW JOHNSON Z
WASHINGTON, D. O., February 10, 1856.
The Louisville Courier of the 10th says
| ssYestarfav afternoon negro enticed d small