Indiana State sentinel. (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1861-1865, 1863-12-28

ANALYSIS OF THE PRESIDENTS PLAN FOR TIE RI

ANALYSIS OF THE PRESIDENTS PLAN FOR TIE RE
sroRATIoN OF THE UNION
To understand the principles embraced in this
plan, we must compare them with those on which
our Constitution is founded
The basis OF our General Goyernm ent is States
having constitutions and laws established by the
people of these States.
The right of suffrage in those States is regu
lated by their own constitutions and laws. State
voters thus qualified, and they only. can vote for
members OF Congress. fSee art LIST, 2d section
of the Constitution
But the President undertakes to prescribe the
qualification of State voters. excluding all from
right of suffrage in governing themselves who
will not take an oath dictated by him.
This oath is not merely oath of allegiance
to the Constitution and laws of the United States
but goes further and requires the aii mt to swear
that he will support all acts of Congress and
proclamations of the President touching certain
kind of property until they be annulled by Con
gress or the Supreme Court
The proclamation of the President in relation
to slave property declare all slaves free in Ger
tain States, whether their owners be loyal or dis
loyal Every legal voter within those States,
therefore, must swear to give up that species of
property before he can have voice in the gov
eminent of bis own State.
Where the President finds the power military
or otherwise, to establish civil governments or
regulate the right of suffrage in the States, we
are not informed
If State Governments, constituted by one
tenth of the voters. shall be established. what is
to protect them against the other nine tenths 2
The President promises such Governments the
protection of the United States, meaning by its
military force In that event we should see the
armies of the United States employed to enable
one tenth of the voters of State to govern ten
tents.
But suppose that after the Governments of
one tenth have been established the nine-tenths
should resume their allegiance and proceed to
elect State officers and members of Congress un
der their own constitutions and laws and the Con
stitutiOn and laws of the United States, without
taking the oath prescribed by the President. on
what ground could the military power of the
United States be used to suppress the Govern
ment of nine-tenths and support the Government
of one tenth2
This plan, as far az it goes, appears to be Dor
rowed from the politics of Continental Europe,
where kings give constitutions. Why should the
fundamental principles of our institutions be sub-
yerted for no other purpose than to hasten Prov
idence in the destruction of an institution which
is fast dying under the blows brought upon il by
the crimes of It's advocates? Why not let it per
ish in the house Of its friendsf Why not, in
stead of breaking up the foundation of our Gov
eminent. take and maintain military possession
of the States now controlled by the rebels. until
the people Of their own accord resume their al
legiance7 That they will do so when the mill
taro arm of the rebellion shall be broken, we
have every reason TO believe IL they do not, it
will be because they prefer military Govern
ment governing themselves
That the Leaders of the rebellion should be
punished, especially the original consprators on
whom rests the guilt of half a million of murders.
few men will deny.
The principles OF this plan would not be
changed If it were approved by Congress and the
Supreme Court, an incredible result.
December IL, 1863. CONSERVATIVE