Year: 1866




NATION, absolutely meant to ne under
stood as not fixing numerical limitation,
but rather as announcing he doctrine that
loyal men, however lew in numbers should
be the sole depositaries OF political power
aud official influence. This must be the
true Interpretation of his words, for any
other would be inconsistent with his en-
phatic and often repeated denunciation of
treason and traitors.


The committee further quote from Presi-
dent Johnson 5 speeches in the Senate In
March, 1861.


IN reviewing the letter of the Secretary
of the Treasury, the committee says the
test oath was established by law. and no Of
fcer had any more right TO dispense with
it than he had TO dispense will any other
law. An officer should know that the dis
pensipg power does not exist IN this Gov
ernment, and that its exercise is disastrous
and will not be tolerated. If the act OF Ju-
" .. 1862, stood in the way of a proper ex-
ecu ion of other laws to the extent indica-
ted by the Secretary of the Treasury, the
duty of the President was very plain. 1t
was not to dispense with the law, but to as
sembie Congress and ask for removal OF
the obstacle.


Had this been done in the spring of 1865
the complications now existing IN the al
| fairs of the nation would in all probability
| nave btpH dNpiiIGu, iuI hiIii tIS -


entertained by the President relative TO the


power of Congress over the subject of re-
| construction, the executive and the legisia-
| tive departments could have worked togeth
| er with little or no friction. Instead OF call
| ing Congress together, the executive de-


partment of the Government elected TO dis


pense with the law Of july ., 1862. and the
| Secretary of the Treasury presented the


House with an exhibit of officers appointed


under this diSpensatlon.


The Committee, after further argument,


say IN conclusion: ,


''If the test oa tn should be so far modl-
fed As to enable an ex-rebel to take It,, the
| social influences which now -ovelawe loyal


men would still put them out OF the way,


and force the Government to bestow ITS OF


fees on the disloyal This would not make


treason odious, nor would it punish traitors,


On the contrary it would increase the Odlum


which now attaches to loyalty in the South


ern States and punish men because OF their
faithfulness 10 the Government. a COM
: munity that will not respect an officer OF the
United States because he has been sufficient
ly loyal to the Government to allow of his


taking the test oath, does not deserve to
/ have the advantages and convenences of


the postal services extended to 1t, bat does
deserve to have the revenue laws enforced
, against it. by the services of such officers as
the Government may be able to secure
There are thousands of loyal men IN the
, Southern States VINO can take the test cath,
aud to such should the Offices liz those States
be given.
4 Let the Government recognize their
2 claims in this regard, and loyalty and re-


spect for the laws of the United States will
: soon be strong enough to overcome the So
; cial power which now frowns upon every
+ Union man who stood by the flag of the he
, public throughout the whole course OF the
, war Temporary inconvenience should not
turn the Government aside from this policy.
5 The unhappy condition of the Southern
? States cannot be improved by CHANGING
E laws which may be opposed to the views
i and feelings of those citizens who fought
for four years to destroy the Government.
i They must learn that obedience to the law
e is duty not to be lightly regarded, and
!. that loyalty to.the Government is virtue
= which cannot be destroyed by local power OF
# the dis.oyal When these ends are secured.
+ it nlay be expadient to modify he test OATH
o but not till then. The committee, there
! fore, ask to be DISCHARGED irom the further
e consideration OF the subject