lately in rebellion were never in fact but only in theory out of
the Union--that they retained inherently, though now dormant,
their State autonomy and constitutional rights as before their
revolutionary acts, except as to slavery, and that all their
people had to do, to re-establish their former status, as he
declared to the Emperor of the French when that potentate was
about to recognize the Confederacy, was to resume their duties as
loyal, law-abiding citizens, and reorganize their State
Governments on a basis of loyalty to the Constitution and the
Union. The terms he proposed to formally offer them were first
illustrated in the case of Louisiana, early in 1863, and later in
the foregoing Message and Proclamation; and clearly indicated
what was to be his policy and process of reconstruction.

Messrs. Flanders and Hahn were admitted to the House of
Representatives as members from Louisiana agreeably to the
President's views thus outlined. They had been chosen at an
election ordered by the Governor of the State (Gov. Shepley), who
had undoubtedly been permitted, if not specially authorized by
the President, to take this step, but they were the last to be
received from Louisiana under Mr. Lincoln's plan, as the next
Congress resolved to receive no more members from the seceded
States till joint action by the two Houses therefor should be
had.

Prior to the election at which these gentlemen were chosen, Mr.
Lincoln addressed a characteristic note to Gov. Shepley, which
was in effect a warning that Federal officials not citizens of
Louisiana must not be chosen to represent the State in Congress,
"We do not," said he, referring to the South, "particularly need