The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1861-04-12
Reconstruct ion.-The Montgomery Con-
stitution.

II Is quite evident that the leaders Of the De-
mocracy in the Northern States propose to sup
port reconstruction OF the Government on
some plan which will be acceptable to the
Southern rebels. Preparing for the work, their
presses are already speaking hyorably Of some
Of the provisions Of the Montgomery Constitu-
ton, and are publishing il, noting the differ
ence in its terms from the present Constitution
OF the United States. A reconstruction Of the
Union on the basis Of q constitution the funda-
mental idea Of which Is slavery, seems mon
strous, but repugnsnt as il Is, there are indica-
tons that there will be an attempt made by the
Democracy TO make public sentiment in favor
Of the Montgomery Constitution. and that the
friends Of the present Constitution will have to
meet this issue at last.
The Boston Advertiser. fearing the same re-
suit. says:
We apprenend that Il will be presented by an
active il not strong party, and enforced by
appeals To the general love Of Union, and by
assurances that the Constitution Of 1877 Is Low
lost, and that the substitute Is the only possible
basis on which we can expect to secure the
substantial blessings Ut peace and regulated
liberty.
It's hardly necessary for US to argue how
complete an abandonmentof honor and VI hope
for future harmony Is implied In this scheme,
whatever artful DISCUSSES may be used to conceal
its real nature. We now wish to point out that
for those who can make up their minds TO for
get honor and right and our duty to those who
come AFTER US. the scheme is not after all 50 very
unnatural Especially for those who gave their
adhesion to the planwrOngly called Mr.Critten-
den's, this new step in abasement does not APP
pear to present any very great difficulties, for
the reason that. ailer all, the Montgomery Con-
Yention went no farther in providing for slavery
than that plan went. Indeed, that Convention
placed the prohibition Of the slave trade IN the
Constitution itself. while the Crittenden COM
promise was satisfied with mere resolution by
Congress, lin addition to which the latter un-
dertook to deprive the African race Of the right
Of suffrage or Of holding Office, while the for
mer did not.
The Montgomery Consultation, however, in
its general treatment Of the subject OF slavery,
differs but little from the Crittenden compro-
mise. Il makes slavery the normal character
istic Of all territory now possessed or hereafter
90 be acquired. and imposes upon Congress the
duty Of protecting IL; IL secures the right OF
transit and s0journ with slave prOpyrty, and
rejects the euphemism by which direct refer
. ence to slavery Was excluded from our present
Constitution In all this the Montgomery
schemers have not gone whit beyond the fra
mers Of last winters plan, but have merely un-
dertakeu to make the Constitution more homo
-geneous and more clear than the adoption Of
thar plan would have made IL. IL Is hardly ne
cesssry even to have recourse TO the adage, that
sit Is as well 10 be hanged for an old sheep as
n lamb" The Montgomery Constitution,
wherein II differs from the Crittenden eompro-
mise on the matter of slavery, is not the worse
for the difference. and requires no more violent
effort TO make II acceptable.
The changes proposed Ut Montgomery in the
ordinary working OF our government, the
change Of the Presidents term to single term
OF six years, and other alterations, would not
be likely to be the subject Of serious difference
at any time. The prohibition OF protective
legislation. and Of appropriations for faeillta-
ting commerce, simply express long standing
simply two objections TO the Montgomery Con-
stitution. for those who regard a complete sur
render 10 treason as honorable, or an entire
abandonment Of principle rs right. The new
instrument expressly rests upon the action, not
Of the people, but OF State soyereignties, and
reduces the general government to mere
league. In this, however. 10 simply conforms
TO the doctrine practically approved in the
present crisis by the Democratic party. IL also
makes slavery the cornerstone OF the institu-
tons established by IL. as was distinctly ex-
planned by Hon. A. III. stephens 10 the satisiac-
ton OF every one. But as Il does this simply
by adopting the construction which the Demo-
cratic party has already placed upon the Con-
stftrtion, and which was expressed in the Crit
tenden compromise. we confess that II does not
seem altogether strange TO US that those who
have swallowed the one should make no wry
flce nj the other. at Is the first step that
costs" One wing Of our Democratic friends,
aud some who do not call themselves Demo.
Gratis, took that first step some time since. We
shall not wonder. therefore, 10 before long they
set forward with some yigor upon the path 10
Montgomery.