The Lansing state Republican. [volume] (Lansing, Mich.) 1855-1874, 1863-12-23


Some Democrats object to tie Presidents
mode Of Reconstruction, because they say it Is a
departure from the great Democratic prluc pie
upon when or government IS founded, inas-
much a. 10 takes away all political power from
nine .enihs Of tic people Of the rebel States
who do not take the prescribed OATH, and be-
stozs 81 on one teuth Who DO take il, thus making
privileged c.ass-
The objection seems plausible enough al first
sight; bot ne illlacy appears on the slightest eI
animation. We vii suppose that the State OF
Sluth Clrshla has ceen conquered anil i held
by the loyal troops What shall be done With
n' There must DO soms government over 1t;
and d military orc must hold il until some other
kiad j. provided. 4 military government il
contrary % tie genius Of our Institutions, and
should give place TO government Of the people
as soon - poss ols. Shall Ibis power 0: self
government be conferred Oo all the people, who
have ssorn allegiance 70 the Couiederacy, and
haye been fighting Us three years or shsll it be
pat INTO the hands o. such a portion OF the
people as will take the oath Of loyalty % the
;. government aai register their names az loyal
citEensl II tue Grst proposal be adopted, the
existing rebel government need lot be altered in
the least; i suits the people and is the will OF
the minority. BUTT loyal government is to be
orgaoiz d, il must Be done BY loyal citizens o.
y; and the President calls on all the citizens Of
South Carolina 20 become loyal, and help make
loyal government. But suppose all will bot be-
come loyal: suppose bali OF them will not what
them Shall the State be governed by militia.
~ dictator for several years, because the rebels
will remain rebels ssls II part Of the people
only are TO act, how small a part shall il
be- The President invites all, exec pit a very
few, to take the oath, and help build the State
governmeut b., if they will not, whose fault
IS itf To make g practical thing OF it, as soon
as one tenth shs'l come, they are authorized ~
act whla the G0Jr IS lsiI wius Vpvu
maudsr 70 come when they please. II any
South Carolina STAKEHOLDER thinks bis loyal neigh
Dor hss too much political power, he can dimin-
ish the amount, At any time, by sharing it with
him. The Proclamation has no limit as to time.
The objection Of the Democrats would be
most iorcible, II all political power was taken
from the nine tenths, so tat they could not
possibly attain TO H. Blu. in this case the minor
ity are allowed to act only because the majority
siH NOT. The same thing might have happened
in Michigan When the Registration law was
passed, some Democrats, not liking the law, pro
posed not 10 register under It. Suppose liae
tenths Of the voters had not registered, the Gov
error and Legislature would have been elected
BY one tenth Of the voters. But what ground
would there have been for complaining OF aris-
tocracy and the rule Ct minogities, when the reg.
is,ratiou books were open to every voter in the
Stateg
Again, Democrats ask, why does the Presi-
dent force on the rebel Shareholders an oath en-
bracing a support Of autislavery laws and meas
sures, when be kaovs they detest it, aud the
greater pas, Of them viii not take IL? Why not
be content with a simple oath Of allegiance,
saying nothing about slavery, which, when the
war shall be over, al OF them might be wiling
70 take
II We we're to ask a rebel STAKEHOLDER why the
oath prescribed by the President was distasteful
to him, he would doubtless reply: Because It
binds me- 20 maintain an antislavery policy which
1 hate. | want my negroes as slaves, if can
hold them II nor, I want the pay for them and
II fail in both, Ssh 10 hold them as appreu
tees or as near s scribe condition as possible
II We cOsld make oug new State Constitution
,sithoH. restriction, We could easily work in the
negro as q slave again. and after that we could
hold hin as a slave. or get pay fer him. Where
as if We take the prescribed cath, We are bound
TO carry ont Lincola's policy and that policy is
DO paw TO the MASTER, aud freedom and full citi
Eeoship to the slave. bate bis policy, aud
will not take his oath"
This would undoubtedly be the reply Of can
ded rebel stakeholder; and IN that reply ",
should find ample reason why every oae Of then
should take the whole prescribed cath. So lon.
a. be was disposed 10 oppose a1d ue1lraliEe ID,
constitutional action OF Congress and tie Presi
dent, be could &c; DC regarded as a LOYAL citizen
BE would be Al hear. distUrber of peace, AZ,
were be 70 De admitted on a simple cath Of ale
glance, be souli take il ouly ;or the purpose c
crawling Inside Of tae boansasies OF LOYALTY
where be could wosk more efecgcaliy tor II
defeat Of the measures Of that Government
Nhich hsi TArlo1ed Bis offences, and bcstowe
on him political power and Influence Sach
nan 0ught 10 say outside.
COpPerheai Democ. as have oftsn asked wh
TIE President did bot oifsr pardon to the re6
els As mode q inducing them to return {
their allegiance. BE has now done so. lie Of
isrs pardon al citizenship 10 ninety niue in
HUNDRED, It ihey Will become obedien, to ID
Constitution aAd lsws. What DO the Copper
heads say 20 tAs.i o. ssy they. such 90,
dieDce vii destroy slavery aud wha; q calamit
that would be- Tie Pease Democrats war
Peace: bul .. is Peace WITH Slavery, 10, wit.
out IL The very teuacity with which The slav,
hO'deFs and their northern allies cling to slav:
y, using 1t always ss a disturbing element in 4
20 itical aaAiis, and as 81 entering wedge f
Promoting discussion and evil, makes us II
n're DESTROYS that, shIe We are dealing vi,
should De utterly destroyed, both root AZ
erssch -