But the most important commentary on the Resolutions is found in the measures of Reconstruction subsequently adopted, all of which stand on the power of Congress over the Rebel States, which they positively assert, including especially the power and duty to guaranty a republican form of government. The Report of the Joint Committee on Reconstruction, drawn up by its Chairman, Mr. Fessenden, asserted that the Rebel States “having voluntarily renounced the right to representation, and disqualified themselves by crime from participating in the Government, the burden now rests upon them, before claiming to be reinstated in their former condition, to show that they are qualified to resume Federal relations.” It then laid down the rule:-- “Having, by this treasonable withdrawal from Congress, and by flagrant rebellion and war, forfeited all civil and political rights and privileges under the Federal Constitution, they can only be restored thereto by the permission and authority of that constitutional power against which they rebelled, and by which they were subdued.”[167] Here was the power of Congress asserted,--but very tardily, and after original denial. * * * * * A calm observer has recently recorded his regret that the Resolutions were not adopted at once, and consistently acted upon. After saying that “the mover was overwhelmed with a tornado of denunciation and abuse,” and that the opposition “rendered any satisfactory reconstruction as nearly impracticable as can well be imagined,” the writer proceeds:-- “Time has fully vindicated the wisdom of Mr. Sumner’s course, and many of the Senators against the measure now admit their mistake,--while every man who comes here from the South says that their present miserable condition grows out of that great error. “To the Democratic party the rejection of the Resolutions was a God-send. It made the continued existence of the Democratic party possible.”[168] Such is the first chapter of Reconstruction. TREASURY NOTES A LEGAL TENDER. SPEECH IN THE SENATE, ON THE CLAUSE MAKING TREASURY NOTES A LEGAL TENDER, FEBRUARY 13, 1862. February 13th, the Senate having under consideration a bill from the House of Representatives to authorize the issue of United States notes, and for the redemption or funding thereof, and for funding the floating debt of the United States, Mr. Collamer, of Vermont, moved to strike out the following words:--