The independent. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Kan.) 1860-1874, 1865-10-21
3e-couytructioa.

There are severn! theories put forth
BY different classes Of thinkers and pol
iticians for the reconstruction and re.
admission into the Union Of the seeded
and rebellious States. The two extreme
views are. that the States named are
conquered provinces in the full meaning
Of the term. aud should be treated rs
sucb: and that they are still States in
the Union-that thei. acts Of secession
were illegal and void and Of no force
hence. tia, they should now resume
the rights aud privileges Of States 10
the Union and the affairs Of government
Between these two extremes and em.
braciug them lies the shades Of opinion
which men entertain on the subject
That they are not States deseruing the
rights Of the loyal Sta.es in The Union.
none will attempt to claim. except r,bels
and copperheads. That they are only
conquered provinces. we think is no. .
senabIs position. They are recovered
possessions. that for time were wrest.
cd from the government and unlaw fully
held By right Of seizure. or force Of seiz-
uTe. and are nov restored to the right
ful owner in . mutilsted aud damaged
condition. For the damage done and
the loss incurred in the effor, 10 regain
these rightful possessions. the owner
should assess such penalties Is may
deter from similar robberies in tie fu.
ture. punish. it need be, for the past.
and secure present safety and succeed.
ing prosperity to oil the laud. These
sods can only be attained BY prudence.
justice and 6rmness.
A few propositions in shis matter may
be considered a. almost self evident:
I. There should be 10 haste in re- ad.
jus'ing the affairs Of the rebell;ous
States. This is not only evident fror.
the nature Of the difficulties tina, mus
'se eucountered. which will require wis
dom. maturity Of thought and care il
action; but, also. from tho fact tia, fol
twenty or thirty years the South La.
been educated IN its errors uu.;l she,
have become par. Of tho nerves ant
tissues Of society, 20 to speak; and these
radical ones. Of % long standing. aud 81
deeply rooted. cannot be eradicated j,
sn hour. day or u year. Added t,
this, for these fallacioss principles an,
ruinous dogmas. they have been & sbt
ing for four years with zeal worthy o
better cause. Such men. with tn
decp-seaisd errors Of lifetime. stamp
ed indeliably upon their minds by III
most persi.tsnl O1ucstion. enhanced b.
prejudice aud maddened BY passion. sr
The very far,hes, from being Ct 10 rish
-,he evils they h.ve engende,ed. or re
organized The system they have alread
driven with railroad speed to desiruc
lion. Evidently they are unit in ever
aspect Of the case TO mend what the
have wrought into ruin. They are nc
to Be trus,se with the des,inies Of
nation at whose vi.als they have bee
rasLly ,hrus,ing Tor years.
8. No adjustment Of these matter
,siould be made 70 suit the late rebel
rather than the loyal masses Of the land
All Determinations should be made il
favor Of the loyal and true. II the.
are not satisfied to risk their country
keeping 10 the hands Of It's late and bi.
ter Toes. then let no power make suel
an attempt. Let The loyal people Of tn
land feel safe aud satisfied whether reb
els are pleased or not. 1t is not Of o
much consequence what becomes Of tb'
rebels; but tie true men Of the land
Who have stood BY the old Gag in liz
and in death. in the sunshine and unce
the closd. should be held. "dear rs sh'
apple of an eye" by all io sa.l'ority.-
No fear but they will be suf6eientlj
magnanimous BrAre men always are
Blu, they wish TO be safe and sure. 4
-suep no~here except upon solid ground
.snd TO do or consent 70 no work Of re
construction that will not stsnd the test
nj time.
3. Lrt men in high places and lou
1,i.ces beware how they tribe With til
great loyal mass Of the nation. or die
regard Their v;exs. irslings and wishes
They ore Ar aotisa: and they will hu'
jnto obi.im. any one Who bssters s~sy
ihs DE- n:',> aud blessings for which
they have svr ! h. anl suffered. or tsrn.
i.L she brisi.u--ss vf their victory by
.he sham. n dics"macy. ~ they casl
sress.n from ns 'i.rone. or blo:tad oul
,ehs:iion from The land lLey love.
Z. No rc.conatucti0n y hils the old
id.ss that brought treason aud var up.