The Burlington weekly hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington [Iowa]) 1860-1876, 1861-07-06

We have pointed out; in former article, the
mode in which the Union would be reconstruct
ed, and the rebellion permanently ended. It is
the simple principle OF treating all the State GoU-
ernnsessts and acts engaged in rebellion as void
The consequence Of this principle 10, that the
Union men no matter whether few or many are
the only legal CONSTITUENCIES of State Governments
Thus there are 10000 loyal men in Virginia,
$4,000 in Tennessee, and 100000 in Missouri,
and numbers, though in a less proportion in all
the States. There is then legal constituency
for the reconstruction Of State Governments;
and then as fact as our troops advance into the
rebels new State Governments will be formed.
This principle is clearly found in the Constitu'
tios,. and was 80 stated by Daniel Webster in the
fact that the Constitution Of the United states
acts d;rec2ly on indimdals; and then, as each in.
disidual is held responsible to the United States
Government, SO each individual who disobeys
that Government in overt acts, becomes trai-
tor. and forfets his former rights. II s, in con-
sequence of this principle, also, that Mr.. Weo
ster said that Secession was scdr; for 1t 10 piain
enough that one portion OF citizens wouio DC
arrayed under Secession and another under the
Consultation, which brought the two classes at
once into state of war. Only those who are
obedient to the Constitutional Government can
be regarded as loyal citizens, entitled 70 act III
the formation of State Governments.
This process OF constitutional reorganization
has begun.in w Western Virginia, and is now July
| inaupurated by the Wheeling Convention. At
| first, no doubt the feeling was for division OF
the State, an object Western Virginia has al
WAYS had its eye upon; but this would not an
swer the great purpose in view, OF reorganlzlns
! the State Government as an efficient member OF
| the Union 1t is far better to do what has been
dope-reorgsnize the State Government by
loyal men. At first about thirty counties VIII
| begin the work, but in few weeks nearly Tue
whole Of Virginia will be occupied by the United
States, and the Union men protected. Ihen
nearly every county will be represented, state
Convention called, and Virginia return to her
original and honorable position as Constituent
member of the American Union
The same thing may take place in tennessee.
East Tennessee is exactly in the same condition
"A Western Virginia When the United States
| forces advance into the valley and command the
railroads which lead through the upper Tennes-
see valley, East Tennessee can hold her Con
yention and re-organize the State Government.
This, we have no doubt, will be done Not
outstanding the large Secession vote in that
State, there is there, and in all the seeding
States, q large body of men who will go maM tat
strongest side 1t is necessary, therefore, to oc'
cupy the seeding States, and remove the reign
of terror in order to enable the Union men to
act and to get the great middle body, who Will
go with the victorious standard.
Missouri presents the greatest anomaly. Inc
Governor and State officers have voluntarily
abdicated by fight, and it is not likely they will
return Their completely with treason is obvl'
Gus, and their salutary fear of Gen. Lyon quite
remarkable In the meantime, however, the
majority of the people of Missouri are for the
| Union What are they to do for a Government!
What is to become OF the State property and
State debts? 1t is said that the late State Con
ventien, called together to put the State out OF
| the Union but who would not do it, is in exist
ence, having merely adjourned. If they can be
called together then, why are they not "a co npe-
tent body to reorganize the State Government!
The people of Missouri do not now realize their
condition; but they will realize 1t soon-when
nothing official can be done, and the State
stands still, for want of official power. The State
is in revolution, and therefore, there must be, in
forming a new Government, a want OF forms;
but, in revolutions, things must be done in sub
stance, rather than in form. We may safely
leave the people of Missouri to manage for
themselves We have no doubt Gen. Lyon will
be afford them protection against any body OF
rebels which can be formed
| 1t is q great mistake to suppose the Union
cannot be reconstructed on loyal and constitu
tional grounds. The way is plain enough, pro
vided we are able to occupy the important
points in the South; and that we shall not dis
cuss, since, to our mind, it is certain. The Wal
Power once called into action, by twenty-foul
millions of people on one side against six mil
lions on the other, seems fully capable OF pos
sessing and occupying all the forts and cities ne
cessary to holding the country, and putting
down rebellion. That event We shall quietly
await, rather looking to the results which are &c
follow, in the unity OF reparation of the nation
and the reorganization of the Governm ent, thar
fearing or doubling about intermediate move