Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1863-08-13
THE TWO THEORIES OF RECONSTRUCTION.


The subjoined article, which we copy from
neutral paper the Philadelphia Ledger, states very
coucisey and clearly the two theories between
which the people of this country will be called to
choose in proceeding to the task Of reconstruct
ing the Union" Our readers do not need to be
informed that, in obedience equally to our convic-
tions of constitutional duty and to evident consid
erations of political and military expedency, we
have uniformly held that the latter of these theo
ries, as expounded by our contemporary, is the
only logical one on which the present war for the
Constitution and Union" can be rghtfully con-
Quoted, as it is the only one that offers possible
solution of the difficult problem which this nation
has to solve if it is to preserve its unity restore
peace within its borders, and maintain the free
dom Of its institutions.
From The PHILADELPHIA Ledger of august 7th.
There two theories of reconstruction Of the Union
which arise at present time and being more earn
osy extensively discussed the the end of the
rebellion appears t. be approaching One the radical
abolition theory which declares this rebellion in
which States banded together to destroy the Govern
ment aud not that it ia merely inrurrection n which
the persons in to be regarded individual viola
Of the laws and such to be proceeded against by
the power Of the Government This theory by treating
the Satesabstract powers tolitcsy-as the in
beun and the people the States tends necessarily
to deprive the STATES of all rights under the Constitution
which theJ have endeavored to Oveurn and destroy by
destroying the Government, which proceeds from and
based upon it, The States being really at with
Government put in the category Of actual begerents
Just much alien enemies and are sube there
fore to the conditions Of begerens and have Ony the
rights which beigerents claim under international
law In just bellgerent State may be subugated
by stronger Power. Ii State it may have its political
taken from It, its territory appropriated by the
conqueror and be held ut the conquerors pleasure
dependency province deprived of political Independence
or rights as a separate independent Government In
this condition of conquered States the conqueror may i'm
pose conditions il he pleasea the privilege of
tering the Union He may declare that the step prece
dent to its re-esabshment States power shall be the
total entire abolition OF slavery forever and any State
coming back into the Union with this restriction upon its
political power would have right thereafter to declare
slavery to be reestabshed According to this theory the
Union w0u longer be of sovereign and
equal State powers The States in rebellion having lost
their sovereignty by conquest would no longer be the
equals nor possess the same political rights powers
the States which conquered them This theory s
rey and radically diff rent from the ides of the Uaon
established by fathers, and the idea which
prevails of the political relations Of the States and the Ge
neral Government reciprocaly that it has not Jet made
much progress except among the extreme New England
patonsts.
The other theory, aud the one which the President
has hitherto favored that the rebellion is simply
insurrecton very msgufed and extended one but still
one on which the power of the Government is to be
brought to bear against the individuals arms. This
theory does not recognise any of violent separation
from the Union by the political action OF any State Gov
ernmeat AL euch State acton is illegal and void because
usurpaton of powers not possessed by Sta- under
a Union constitat0naly formed and having Federal
Government constBtiouay chosen. Under this theory
the States in their integrity and sovereignty what
ever individuals embracing majority OF the popula
ton may do in opp ston to the laws. The insurgents
are simply regarded mob who may usury the control
Of the Government for time and DEFY the laws but
deprive the Government permanently OF its rights aud
powers destroy the validity OF the laws So
the mob s put down. the power rights Of the State
retura o themselves having only beca held ia
susppnsion by violence According to this theory, II the
people in any State in rebellion 10 overthrow the
usurping authorities, and aid the General Government in
bishing it's authority the State from which
has been excluded by violence then the State would be
restored immediately under the Constitution, to the
sovereignty independence and equality possessed by the
other States The offenders against the laws within its
territory may be punished for their crimes either oy the
States authority or by the General Government but the
State itself would lose of its political rights or pow
ers uoder the Constitution by Of the rebellion.
The latter theory the most simple sDd the most prac
tcable for reconstruction and reestsblshment Of the
IJpon and n il not for slavery 10 would doubt be
universally adopted But here in the Presidents
proclamation of emancipation, which 1t s contended
coners absolutely, the right of liberty to slaves n the
belhous States, aud which cannot be taken from them
again by a.y State restored to the UntE The events
which make the reconstruction possible will give greater
prominence TO the discussion OF those two dtnct aud op
poste modes Of restoring the Union with its former ter
roria extent and political Importance. Gen Rosecrans
seems to entertain the latter theory the by which,
as an officer of the Government, He'd to restore is
thorty against usurped power, be to De governed in
relation to the people of States where the Union
have successfully prevailed In bis instructions to his
ocer and calling upon the people to put themselves on
the de Of constitutional government he says Kemem
bef, fight for common rights What ask for our
selves willingly accord to othersfreed0m under the
Constitution and laws Of c0untry-the country OF
Washington and Jackson"