Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-12-15
Wattbman & Stair JournaI.
BY E.P. WALTON
MONTPELIER, DEcEMBER i5 1865.


qualities will ensure for it a kind reception
from everybody. On that question, which is
now the one Of chief interest, to wit the
reorganization Of civil government in the
late rebel states, his course and principle Of
action are clearly stated. In determining
whether to treat them simply as conquered
territory TO be ruled by military power, or as
States with their rights and privileges Us
such in the union temporarily in abeyance, be
confesses that he was forced to a choice Of
difficulties and this is an implied admission
that there may be honest differences Of opn-
ion on the subject. We expect to find such
differences developed by the debates Of Con-
gress; but we do not expect to find any Sc
rious difficulty ultimately between Congress
and the executive. for it will be noted that
the course adopted by the President ends
with a presentation Of the States, with Sem
ators and Representatives. for admission to
Congress, and there the work Of Congress
begins. Said the President, " Here it Is for
you, fellow-citisens of the Senate, and for
you, fellow-citizens OF the House OF Repre-
sentatives. to Judge each of you for yourselves.
Of the elections. returns, and qualifications OF
your own members" 1t may be very interest
ing. nay very exciting, to quarrel about what
has been done OF left undone. but Congress
will best serve the interests OF the nation by
seeking rather to find clear and safe course
of duty for itself. in admitting the recon
stracted States to a participation ia the Un-
ion. Bearing on this point is another i'm
portsnt declaration by the President " Ii
the U. S. Constitution has power to enforce
the laws, punish treason, and ensure domestic
tranquility. In case Of the usutp,tion OF
the government Of State by one man, or an
oligarchy, i, becomes duty Of the United
States to make good the guarantee to that
State Of Republican form Of government
and, outside Of the Message, in late letter
to Governor Perry, OF South C.rolina, Presi-
dent johnson commended course precisely
in accordance with the resolution, Of the
caucus Of Republican-union members, which
was adopted by the House on the first day Of
the session.
In reference to the freedmen, he declares
that ait is not competent for the General
Government to extend the elective franchise
in the several States" to them, which, 'n
form, is undoubtedly true but, remembering
his declaration that aIy attempt to usurp the
government BY an oligsrchy wiu demand the
interference Of the United States, we can i'm
sgine that Congress may find both the power
and the duty to refuse the political privileges
Of the Union to some states until the electo-
raj franchise shall have been by their oton acs
enlarged. Beyond this, in respect to other
privileges to be secured for the freedmen, by
the interposition OF Congress II necessary, the
language OF the Presiden. is both right and
emphatic. A" lis clear" he says, " that good
faith requires the security Of the freedmen IN
their liberty and their property. their right
to labor, and their right to claim the just re-
turn OF their labor" Surely it is the duty
OF the states to give this security, without
the intervention OF Congress-or, as the Pres
ideni again says, to give to the freedmen
"emp mployment, culture. and protection !" but
hardly more than it is their duty to open tn
them political privileges as fast as they de-
serve them by virtue and intelligence. II,
then, Congress has the rigb, to insist that
state shall accord any Of these privileges be-
fore it shall be completely recognized and ac-
eeptsd as State, we aPprehend 1t may as
rightfully insist upon all.
We do not see the justice of any distinction
in these privileges, nor in fact constitution
al power iu Congress to require one and not
the other. We do clearly see that, even If
the power be admitted to the fullest extent,
it may be impossible to do anything on the
suffrage question. through the unwlllinsness
Of several Republican states These are
questions to be tried. however, and We 10
most heartily agree with the advice OF the
President to Congress when he urged "a dis
passionate treatment Of this subject, which
should be carefully kept aloof from all party
strife" In the neglect of that advice lies the
greatest danger OF wrong decision. II Con-
gress will look only to what is right, abjaring
party policy, prejudice and trickery, the
country will have little trouble with this
question.
We have specially alluded to these points
Of the message because it is these upon which
there will be the most doubt among our own
people, who have always been, and ever viii
be, for the largest liberty. The perfect can
dor with which the President states his views
and ths evidence given by the message through
out that his heart is thoroughly patriotic liber-
al and honest, give us strong assurance that
liz Congress shall come to the consideration OF
these Difficult, questions in the same spirit.
there will be found a happy solution oi all
difficulties. Spared from ruin by its enemies,
one must doubt the Divine hand in history II
he believes that the country is to be now ru-
ined by the weakness or the folly Of ito
friends.
~ The succession OF Jacob Smith " Son