Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1863-10-02
Gaatrbman s. State Jum nal.
BY h. P. WALTON.
MONTPELIER. OCTOBER 2, 1868.
RECONSTRUCTION.
BY r.. P. WALTON

RECONSTRUCTION.
The Republican State Convention for Mas
sachusetts unanimously nominated Gov An
drews aud the other State officers for re.e,ec-
ton, and adopted series of resolutions
/ Pledging unwavering and unconditional
support OF the national government in its ei-
forts to suppress the rebellion;
?. Declaring that they have no apprehen-
sion that 10 a contest like this, between slave
ry and liberty, any Of the rights of the citizen
will be lost;
8. Thanking the soldiers and sailors for
their services, and pledging sympathy and
support;
4. Approving the Proclamation Of Freedom
Of January /, 1868 as measure Of military
necessity;
Res0iued That We join issue with those who be
heve that permanent peace and Oenehccnt settlement OF
our national difficulties be obtained by neg uatug
with the conspfaors who have subyefed state otganz
atoms TO their ambitious purposes, and attempted 10
build up nation despoc basis with slavery for is
corner stone When the dine arrives for settlement let
Il be ade with the unconditional Union men " the
south, who alone have any right TO voice vote upon
the conditions of reunion and not with the rebels who
have no n hts but the right 20 submit And 90 this end
men " the South who desire TO reconstruct their p0u
cal and social fabric upon Tree basis, compatible with
the new order II things established by the decree Of
fe,oiced. That the secession Of State under our
political system has no legality and no legal meaning
whatever, IL Is but another name fnr reoelhon aud
rebels not entitled % the privileges Of the Union
while th still liable 90 a is obligations and duties.
And nasnuch slavery the sole OF the revolt
aud Is while slavery exists there can be permanent
peace IN the Uuou the duty NJ Congress and the
Executive To nsst that the prao cal exungushmen Of
HON fhff
fast possible upon its legal death Let the restored
nation be made prosperous and glorious by union of
nee States, under republican form OF government
which guaranteed TO them by The Consti uuon, and
with which experience has proved the existence OF slavery
is wholly incompatible.
7. That Massachusetts, is for prosecution
of the war to the entire suppression of the
rebellion;
8. Approving Of the employment Of negro
soldiers aud
8. Commenting the administration Of Gov.
Andrews
It will be observed that we have copied the
fifth and sixth resolutions entire. We have
done because we think these resolutions
sound the keynote for at least one side of
the coming Congressional debates. Debates,
we say because we doubt whether there will
be much OF congressional action at the com
ing session. But out Of these debates, in
Congress, and among the people in the com
ing presidential campaign of s64 public o.
pinion will be formed and future congression-
al action will be shaped. 1t is we'll, then, to
keep an eye upon this matter There is no
greater poll igal question than that Of the Re-
construction o the Union, which must come
with the conclusion Of the war for we do not
yet admit the possibility Of Disunion and
states still demand with hardly a dissenting
voice and we trust the number Of those who
ask for Liberty Union, and Peace, is con-
stantly increasing.
Hon Geo. S. Boutwell,, member OF the
3sth Congress, addressed the Massachusetts,
convention, and gave the skeleton of speech
which he will doubtless elaborate in Con-
gress In fact we had an iatimaton Of that
sort some months ago. He said
assume in the ffst place that st,te-.an American
StatecXsts by "il uf the people within lbs limits aui
nor BY any external force. and appeal 20 the inter-
ruptel usage the establishment Of the government
ul now, thatuo state ha. ever assumed position a.
state either outside within the non, EXCEPT rnon
the dec ated will and express Judgment Of its pco-
pie. Nov, r State exists in that way aud can 10 no
other, then say h when the people 10 organized
manner declare that they longer exist as a state.
there power whether In the Union ~ out by which
h can ue compelled 20 exist state against lis own
will
Therefore say that South Carolina 10 December
$50 having declared ia the solemn form known IN
human proceedings that % ceased Ameri-
can state aud having followed hat decision by an On
wavctng adherence thereto, has ceased exist an
American Sa-e be tn by lis declaration aud by the
exact fact estb ishcd by the history uf lbs proceedings
Tor two yeats and more But IT'S relations changed
towards the Union BY means. Ia the States %
South Caohna and orgia aud more particularly IN
the new States Of Arkansas aud Texas, knoS that
government had jurisdiction the people before they
came into this Unon. That jurisdiction /. in no way
nterfeed with taken from except By force When
these states seyeraly came into the American Union
they made several az and conditions that the
general government might exercise judicial fsdic1n
for certain pufp1ses that they States would raj
armies, nor create armies coin money, do
tRif other things enumerated in the Constitution We
hold them hy that solemn compact which have never
violated 20 all ihese obligations agreements and rond-
u'ns and we enforce our rights pfe-cxisteu TO their
admission into the Union at the point Of the bayouet
therefore secession but 10 this the destruction Of
their organized rights States In the American Union
while the supreme indesructbo, perpetual power Of
the Union remains. and will be esi ablished Now then
say they 10 be governed during state through
which they passing according to circumstances-but
70 he governed, know not how. Gen Banks will gov
ern some portion Rosecrans and Meade other portions
and when the time comes that loyal who will take
the osth and stand by the Union will organize
Themselves state Government in any Of those eleven
rebeous States and apply for admission into the Union
then will be time Tor US 20 discuss the question But
am ready TO that there should be this condition
precedent to their admission that they shall appear as
free States.
the SITUATION. We never fancied the