Muscatine weekly journal. [volume] (Muscatine, Iowa) 185?-1890, 1864-01-15

machinery Of State Governments. which are
the test and means Of their political existence.
Government represents, not merely land
and certain defined territorial limits. but the
people who established it, and speak and act
through 1t, as their political organ. These
people, IN consequences Of their treason, hav-
i ing disqualified themselves for the exercise
OF political rights and privileges, their State
Governments have thereby become suspend
ed, and must remain in allegiance, until this
disqualification is removed by act of Federal
au! hority. - . - = - 'as1
Reduced to this condition, the provisional
control over these States, until fully reorgan-
lied and restored, is vested in the Federal
Government; but when restored, it must be
under governments which have emanated
from their own people, under constitu ional
restrictions. | recognize the right of every
State to regulate and shape its own lnstitu-
tons, but this right can and should be exer
cised only in clear conformity with the letter
and spirit of the Federal Constitution.
| The Constitution prescribes that 1.-THE
United States shall! guarantee 10 every State
in this Union, republican form of Govern.
ment." This provision clearly implies an OBJ.
legation on the part of the United Stat s, not
only to guarantee this form of government
ITO every State, but the guaranty is to all
the States, that the government of each State
shall be republican in form, whether the PEG
pie thereof will it or not. This is the plain
spirit and intent Of the compact; otherwise
the right already adverted to, that each State
may regulate its own institutions, would be-
come source Of imminent peril to the Union.
Without this salutary check upon the
action of States, We might soon have a
cluster OF anti-republican governments, spring
ing up within the limits of the Union, to &C.
complish its retrogresson and ultimate over
throw.
The events of the last few years having
fully demonstrated the irrepressible antago-
nism of slavery to our Republican institutions,
and left the question no logger to abstract
discussion, or Interpretation, our manifest
duty. under the Constitution, is while the au-
thority is rightfully in our hands, to see that
no new or remodeled Government is received.
which presents this obviously anti-republi.
can feature.
| Under proper auspices, and just regard
for NATURAL rights, the process of RECONSTRUCT
ton may keep pace with the advance of cur
arms. With suitable assistance the people OF
the insurgent States may be restored to their
legitimate rights in the Union as rapidly as
the hostile power is expelled from their Dor
ders. To effect this consummation, some
rule should be prescribed, plain and lust in
itself, compatible with the dignity of the
Government. and the perpetuity Of the Union.
Emerging from the calamities of this conflict,
let US secure an honorable and permanent
peace, and seal forever the terrific fountains
of civil war. By dong less than this, we
would prove faithless to the sacred trusts
committed to our care, embitter the heritage
| of posterity. and commit a monstrous crime
| No true patriot no sincere wisher of q re.
stored and honored Union, could desire the
wicked and infamous leaders of this rebellion
renstated in their places under this Govern
ment, where, by repetition of their gigantic
frauds and intrigues, they might again at
tempt what they have so signally failed to &C.
complish BY the gage of battle. Every mo-
tivelo sef-preservation and the sternest die
tates Of patriotic duty, demand of US to guard
well this vital point. Let US expunge forever
| these Infamous names from the roll of the
Union. Let US appeal directly to the less
criminal offenders and the more tractable
masses. 10 none others would it be safe or
expedient to extend the boon of amnesty or
enfranchisement, and not to these even, ex
cept upon the just and easy terms of being
purged of their treason and plighting anew
their faith to the Union.
Any effort at restoration, to be substantial
and productive of satisfactory results, should
be inaugurated upon theory which will To-
spire mutual confidence between the parties,
and constitute basis sufficiently comprehen'
| sive to embrace all who, by a recautation of
| their disloyalty, may qualify themselves for
| and become entitled to its benefits. The mi
tal point is obviously the most vital, and diff
cult; for if we start with wrong reckoning.
our future course will be one of constant en-
barrassments, and fail of ultimate success.
Profoundly impressed with these conv;c.
tons, and firmly believing that no more feas-
IDLE mode has yet been devised for securing
speedy and honorable adjustment of our dis
ordered Union, | am prepared to fully en-
dorse the late eminently plain and sensible
proclamation of President Lincoln, and until
Withdrawn, or superseded by some more au-
| thoritative act, shall yield to it my earnest
and unequivocal support.
l can seq in this proclamation much to ad-
mire and nothing to condemn. If it be OBJ
jected that one-tenth, being the number of
persons therein designated as the basis of re-
organization, be too small, the appropriate
answer is, that it bears fair proportion to
those who, for the last half century, have
controlled the politics and usurped the desti-
MES of the South; and will exceed, in each
State, the number of those who kinded the
fires of this rebellion, and whose treason Gre
ated the condition of things of which this re-
stored tenth have become the sad and unwiil-
ing victims. 1t IS but the beginning of a
great consummation, and forms q nucleus.
around which the returning loyalty of the
South may daily, and rapidly gather, as they
comply with the just aid easy terms of the
proclamation. -.....
The proclamation prescribes only the min
basis of reorganization, excluding only the
more criminal actors, and those who persist
in adhering to their treason. -.-s. -, 3D..
Amnesty is boon, not right, and, as
criminals before the law, they are in no situa-
ton to dictate its terms, but must submit to
those which the Government, in the exercise
of its clemency, may deem it wise to grant.
If this mode Of adjustment engenders rev.
olution in the political relations of the South,
it will be revolution ofright against wrong,
and of which the oppressed and injured
masses will derive the benefits.
By steadily adhering to these principles, as
l trust we shall, we may succeed, after much
wandering and great tribulation, in bringing
this Government back to its ancient and safe
land marks of universal freedom and perpet-
ual unity. ...a.
cannot close this communication and fore
go the opportunity presented to congratulate
the General Assembly and the people upon
the suspicious condition of the State. A kind
Providence has blessed us with adequate har-
vests, and a full measure of prosperity in all
our und. rtakings. By His mercy we have
been enabled to pass through the trying
scenes now drawing to close, with honor
and success. All efforts, by bad and reckless