The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1864-01-27
For the Palladium,
Reconstruction.

late through this Congressional District,
on the stump and otherwise, on the so
called Reconstruction of the Union, and
although much has been thus said. both
pro and con, vet. perhaps, a brief review
of certain principles involved, may not
be uninteresting or altogether unprofit-
able. This absurd proposition OF re-
construction, had its origin in the theo-
retical fancy of Charles Sumner. He il
was, who first gave this brilliant concep-
ton "a name if not "a local habita-
ton" which has SO quickened into life
with .'words that burn the distorted
imagery of few jealous but indiscreet
followers of that notable visionary re-
former.
Let us take a glance at the history of
our Constitution. In l776, the people
of the several States and Colonies. form
ed for their mutual interest and protect
ion, what they denominated Confeder-
ate Government, and declared themselves
such, n free and independent peo-
pie; each State and Colony retaining
within itself its own undivided sovcr-
eighty. granting from time to time,
through their Legislatures and delegates
TO the Confederation, certain definite
powers for specific purposes, and cx-
tending only to limited terms of time
cumbersome and tedious. often uncer-
tain and altogether insufficient for their
necessities people, some other plan
had to be adopted The Legislatures of
all of the States appointed commission
ers to meet in convention at Philadelphia
for the purpose of revising the Articles
I of Confederation. and thereby TO avert
the dangers which threatened their very
existence as federal power. In pur-
suance of these appointments, the dele
gates met AZ Philadelphia, May Ii. 1877.
and concluded their labors on the follow
/ ing September II, by agreeing to the
Constitution as ii now stands, save only
/ the amendments which have been sub
sequently added. This Constitution was
submitted to the consideration of the
! Congress of the Confederation. by Geo.
/ Washington, President of the Conven-
/ ton, by the following letter of presenta-
ton. This letter l desire to copy entire,
/ because of its peculiar significance, not
/ only to that time, but, also, its cogent
adaptabisity to circumstances of the
present.
In CONVENTION, SEPT. II, 1877.
4 SR:-We have now the honor to sub
nit to the consideration of the United
States III Congress assembled, that Con
most advisable. ,.ss--.4
fflc friends or our country have long
seen and desired that the power Of mak-
ing war, peace, and treaties, that Of levy
ing money and regulating commerce, and
the correspondent executive and judicial
authorities, should be fully and cffectual-
I ~ vested in the General Government of
4 the Union; but the impropriety of dele
4 eating such extensive trust to one body
( OF men is evident: hence results the ne
cessity of a different organization.
/ 1t is obviously impracticable in the
/ Federal Government of these States, to
secure all rights of independent sover-
eighty to each and yet provide for the
interest and safety of all individuals
entering into society must give up share
of liberty to preserve the rest. The
magnitude of the sacrifice must depend
as well on situation and circumstances
as on the object to be obtained 1t is at
all times difficult to draw with precision
the line between those rights which must
be surrendered and those which may be
reserved; and on the present occasion
TINS difficulty was increased by differ
ence among the several States as to their
situation, extent, habits, and particular
interests.
In all our deliberations on this subject
we kept steadily in view that which APP
pears to us the greatest interest of every
true American--the consolidation of our
Union--in which is involved our pros
perity. felicity, safety, perhaps our ma
tional existence. This important con-
sideration, seriously and deeply impress
Cd on our minds. led each State in the
Convention to be less rigid on points of
inferior magnitude than might have been
otherwise expected; and thus the Con
stitution which we now present IS the re-
suit of spirit Of amity, and of that mu
tuaI Difference and concession which the
popularity of our political situation rem
dered indispensable.
! That 1T will meet the full and entire
appreciation of every State, is not. per-
haps, to be expected; but each will doubt
less consider that. had her interest been
alone consulted, the consequences might
have been particularly sdisagreeable or
injurious to others; that it is liable to as
few exceptions as could reasonably have
been expected. we hope and believe, that
it may promote the lasting welfare OF
that country so dear to us all. and secure
her freedom and happiness, is our most
ardent wish
With great respect, we have the honor
to be. sir. your excellencv's most obedi-
ent- humble servants.
By unanimous order of the convention
GEORGE WASHINGTON. Pres't
His Excellency, the President Of Con
gress.
: Congress having received the report IF
the Convention, September Is, passed the
/ following:
I Resoteed. unanimously. That the said
report. with the resolutions and letter
accompanying the same, be transmitted
to the several Legislatures, in order to
I he submitted toa Convention of delegates
+ chosen in each State by the people there
/ of. in conformity TO the resolves Of the
( Convention made and provided in that
case.
The Constitution was ratified by Con-
ventions duly organized, in all of the
several States except two, prior to Sept
IL, laes, those two namely, North Caro-
! l. Il 4