Santa Fe gazette. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1859-1864, 1863-09-12

There are two theories Of reconstruction Of the
Union which arise at the present time, aud are
being more earnestly and extensively discussed
the nearer the end Of the rebellion appears to be
approaching. One is the radical abolition theory,
which declares this rebellion war in which States
are banded together to destroy the Government,
and not that il is merely an nsurection in which
the persons in arms are to be regarded as lndyi
dual violators ofthe laws, and as such to be pro.
cecded against by the power Of the Government
This theory, by treating the States abstract pow
ers politically-as the ones 10 rebellion, and not
the people in the States, tends necessarily to de-
prye the States Of all rights Rnder the Constitu-
ton which they have endeOyored to oyerturn and
destroy, by destroying the Government, which
proceeds from and 10 based upon it. The States
being really at war with our Government are put
in the category of actual beIligerents just as much
: so rs alien enemies and are subjected therefore to
the conditions Of belgerents, and have only the
rights which belligerents can claim under interna-
tiona law. In ajust war beligerent State may
be subjugated by stronger Power. liza State, it
may have its political sovereignty taken from it,
its territory appropriated by the conqueror, and
be held at the conquerors pleasure as q depen-
dency or province deprived Of political indepen-
dence or rights as separate or independent Gov.
ernment In this condition Of conquered States
the conquerJr may impose new conditions il he
pleases as the privilege Of re-entering the Union
He may declare that the step precedent to its re-
establishment as States power shall be the TO-
tai and entire abolition Of slavery forever, and aDy
States coming back into the Union with this res
friction upon its political power would have nj
right thereafter to declare slavery to be reestab
lished According to this theory the subsequent
Union would no longer be one Of sovereign aDC
equal State powers. The States in rebellion hay
ing lost their sovereignty by conquest, would nj
longer be the equals nor posses the same pOitica
, rights and powers as the States which conquered
them. This theory IS so entirely and RADICAL!
different from the idea oftae Union as established
by our fathers, and the common idea which pre-
walls Of the political relations Of the States ant
the General Government reciproeally, that it ha
+ not yet made much progress except among tn
extreme New England emancipationists,
The other theory, and the one which the Pre-
sident has hitherto favored, is that the rebellion
simply an insurrecton, very magn6ed aud ex
tended one, but still one on which the power O
the Government is to be brought to bear agains
the individuals in arms. This theory does not re
cognise any power Of violent separation from th
4 Union by the political action Of any State Gov
4 efnment All such State action is illegal and voit
Q because usurpaton Of powers not possessed b
any State under Union constitutonally formed
: and having Federal Government constitutional
5 chosen. Under this theory the States remain i
s their integrity and sovereignty whatever indiyi
a duals, even embracing o majority Of the populG
Q iton, may do in opposition to the laws. The in
= surgents are simply regarded as mob, who ma
usurp the control Of the Government for q time
r and defy the laws, but cannot deprive the Gov
: ernment permanently Of Its rights and powers, 0
s destroy the validity Of the laws. So soon as th
n mob 10 put down, the power and rights OF tn
J, State government return Of themselves, hayin
y only been held IN suspension by violence, AC
cordiDg to this theory, il the people in any Stat
n in rebellion were TO overthrow the usurping au
8 thorties, and aid the General Government in re
8 establishing its authority over the State fror
y which it has been excluded by violence, then th
Q State would be restored Immediately, under th
!, Constitution, to the sovereignty, independence,
b and equality possessed BY The other States Th