The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1863-02-20
Is Reconstruction PossibIeP
[From the Chicago Tines

uo reconstruction of the Union is inlpos-
slole. The Governors of the seeded
''ates have asserted the same thing. The
several legislatures of those States s,1s-
.aih the governors; the rebel press scout
'ne loea OF reconstruction, and the great
mass OF the Southern people are now Bit
1efly opposed to the government and
ohloh. Here is population of five and
a half millions of whites, as sagacious. en-
'erprlsing and determined as any on
earth, controlling from three to four mil
mons OF negroes, who with their labor
may justly be counted as effective in de-
IenslVe warfare as the whites, making an
aggregate OF nine millions, infexibly op-
posed to the Federal government, and
asserting their independence The gov
ernment mas waged a war upon them for
two years with all its energies, and it is
now as far from success as at the com
lmencement of the struggle. Its exhaus-
ton has not been as great as theirs. be.
cause Of its superiority of resources, but
IT has been equal to theirs at the outset.
What now to be done?
Shallwe grant the independence they
assert, and consent to dissolution? In
the loyd States none but those who have
steadfaS iy made war upon the old gov
ernmens and prayed for its overthrow,
entertaii any such idea. Shall we con-
tlnue thswar when the obstacles to sue
cess are Ieemingly insurmountable? If
these Obstacles were real, instead of un-
real-if tie most formidable of them
might not Pe removed by change of pol
icy that so hr from being dishonorable,
is demanded alike by the justice and the
loyal public ssntiment-then interest and
humanity would require instant negotia-
tions for peace We believe the re-estab-
lishment of the government is matter
for our determination, and not that of
the Confederate leaders. Reconstruction
in the present atti ude of the belligerents
can only be accomplished by the exter
mination of the nine millions of inhabi-
tants, white and black, in the Southern
States. 1t is madness to dream of this
result.
But when restoration is offered in such
manner that the interests of both par
ties are manifestly subserved by it, and
the honor of each preserved, will the peo-
pie of the South reject the offer, and sac
rifce themselves to the ambition and ma
levolence of party leaders? The answer
to the asseverations of the Abolition press
that no terms of peace save those that in
tvolve dissolution will be listened to by
the South. is to be found in the simple
practical truth, that if such be the fact
if the South is unalterably pledged to
this postion-the war should instantly
cease as the suhjugation of the South is
an impossbility.
But how is it known that reconstruc-
ton on any terms will be rejected by the
preferred? The terms now offered by
the government we know they will not
accept The declarations made by them
that none will be accepted are based up
on the supposition that the present pol
icy will not and cannot be changed. Da-
Wis so asserts in his message.
One fact is evident. The hostility of
the South toward the Federal govern
ment may more easily be overcome by of
fering terms that preserve their interests
and honor, than by declarations of policy
that, if enforced, will destroy their inter
ests and degrade them before the world.