The New York herald., 1864-07-10

The Reconssruction Question.
We have the honor to submit to our readers
this morning proclamation from President
Lincoln, explaining how 1t was that the bill
passed at the late session Of Congress provid-
Ing for the restoration of the rebellious States
as free States failed to receive his signature,
his pee uliar views Of the measure, and what he
proposes to do with Il.
First the bill was presented for his endorse
ment 70 near the closing half hour of the late
session that he could not attend to it Secondly,
he submits the bill to the people for their con-
sideration. Thirdly, he does not exactly like
the bill, nor the idea Of setting aside, With its
adoption, the free State constitutions already
set up, after bis own fashion, In Arkansas and
Louisiana Fourthly, he ID not ready to con-
cede to Congress tho constitutional power to
abolish slavery in the States, but has hopes
of constitutional amendment that will
fix the business; yet, nevertheless, as
he says In tho hfth place. he thinks
the bill Of Congress q very good one
for the loyal people Of any rebellious State,
when they can act upon the subject OF the
abolition Of slavery without fear Of Jeif. Davis,
and he therefore pledges himself to support
them accordingly.
Such is the meaning Of this proclamation. as
we understand 1t; but, as the mind Of the
general reader may still be somewhat en-
veloped in the fog of Its apparent incongru-
ties and crudities, We will try another expla-
nation in connection with tho bill itself. First
the bill in question provides for military
governors for the rebellious States; and next
excluding various classes of active rebels,
provides that when the people of any rebel
ltous State, by majority vote. shall apply
for full readmisslon to the benefits Of the
Union, with their State constitution so recon-
structed as to embrace the abolition Of slav-
cry throughout the State, then suoh State
shall be fully restored to the Union. Now,
the free State constitutions set up in Arkansas
and Louisiana rest upon the Presidents sys-
tenn Of one-tenth Of the popular vote Of said
States respectively. or course, bad President
Lincoln signed the Congressional bill he would
have knocked in the head tho new free States
Of Arkansas and Louisiana, set up in pursu
ance Of his own Instructions; and so, as it
happened, the bill came in too late to be
signed. Don't you see!
30 far 30 good. But, then, outside Of Louisi-
ana and Arkansas, the bill is oil right and,
with these exceptions, the object Of this pro-
elamation il to announce to the country that
the President approves and signs the bill, and,
as thus approved, be desires it to be considered
practically law Of the land. But tho aston
ished reader may say is not this shamefully
trihing with the legislative branch Of the
government, as II 1t were mere tool in the
hands Of the Executive! It is so, and yet,
Congress having adjourned, Old Abe has
the law in his hands. It is not the first
time that he has construed, enlarged or
abridged the legislation Of Congress to his
own liking. In this case the manifest
purpose Of Congress was to supersede, by
uniform system, President Lincoln's tinkering
expedients Of reconstruction. He lets the bill
90 by the boVrd--it Is killed-it is dead; and
yet by proclamation. limiting the operation
OF the measure to please himself, he attempts
to revive 1t into life, and announces that be
will act upon 1t as in reality living law of
the land.
When the powers and limitations Of the con-
stitution and Congress arc thus used. evaded,
set aside and disregarded by the Executive, in
what does the exercise Of his authority differ
from that Of regular despotisms We think it
would be we'll for President Lincoln to pause
and reflect little upon this question or really
he may yet 20 too far to secure another term
to his administration.
TIE CHICAGO CONVENTION PLATFORM AND
PEACE FAcrroN-One of the war horses (not
Purdy) Of the democracy submits platform,
which we publish elsewhere, to the delegates
OF the Chicago Convention. He claims that
every patriot should be governed solely by the
great fundamental principles upon which our
Union was established aud maintained success
fully for over eighty years. After all there is
great deal Of humbug about these convention
platforms. No successful candidate adhercs to
them after he is elected. It Ia folly to tie
any party to series Of resolutions in revolu-
tionary times like these, when the events Of one
day will wipe out the edict OF any convention,
and make them as old and as inapplicabIe to
the real condition Of the country as pro-
clamation issued by some king thousand years
ago. II there is to be platform, the shorter the
better. But the sooner the public takes up
men for important positions whose statesman
like ability, general intelligence and deeds have
made record that will guarantee wise course
whilst in power, the better 1t will be for all
concerned. We expect, however. that there
will be foolish and senseless squabble in
Chicago over the platform. The peace faction
will probably attempt to force the adoption OF
resolutions endorsing their peculiar doctrines
for the purpose Of splitting the Convention and
dividing the party 20 ~ 70 give the JEFF Davis
element . chance, and raise Instructions at