The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-06-02
The Problem of Reconstruction.

The Problem OF Reconstruction.
WIN tho dawn of ponce, we see but the begin
ming OF the end. The war is over, but the work
Is not Gone. The Shareholders Rebellion is SUD.
pressed, but its spirit remains unsubdred In
shor. the great problem Of Reco instruction is yet
10 be solved.
We purpose to write no elaborate article upon
this subject, but merely to set forth what we be.
lievc to be tho only true and safe basis OF Recon
struclion, viz: THE ENTIRE AND PERFECT EQUALI.
TY OF ALL LOYAL MEN, IRRESPECTIVE OF COLOR, BE.
TORE THE LAW. To the question, so often asked ,
''What shall be done with the neg.oesl" we an
swer, Gipe them their and then let them alone,
IeaUing them, like other men, free 10 assume their
proper statas ia government and society. The
problem 10 no, inrinsically SO difficult as we
choose to make it, in Difference to old prejudices
and wrongs. Great WISDOM skill and prudence
will, doubtless, be required in perfecting the de-
tails Of a work so vast and complcated but the
work itself is not, of necessity, SO perilous as
many suppose. 1t will be just as we may elect
10 have it--puin and easy as justice and right or
distracting and ruinous Us injustice and wrong.
The hard learned lesson of The war through
which we have passed ought never to be forgot.
ten or UNDECIDED. At first we sought only to
save the Union. WITHOUT destroying the evil that
endangered it; but the experience OF -four terrible
years has demonstrated our folly. We, at 10 st
acknowledge the truth that justice to the slave
slow and reluctant though i. was, ensured our
success. We are now TO reconstruct tho Union
Shall we be prohted by the past, or go blindly on
until again and more severely instructed in our
dutyi
The most obvious dictate of justice and sound
policy ia the reconstruc.ion of the Union, is TO
grant to all loyal men in the States lately in re-
beilion, whether white or black the elective fran.
chise. To withhold the ballot from the Loyal
negro while comforting il upon the white man
who has been his master, for whose benefit the
Rebellion was insugurated and prosecuted, and
who still regards him as fit only for slavery,
would be an act OF fragrant and criminal injustice,
which could not fail TO receive its punishment--
God forbid that our Government should oe guilty
of such base ingratitude! lie who fights shou Id
be allowed to vote. lie whose vulor and devo
ZION have contributed 10 save the Republic, be
ms color or condition whaV it may should hence
forth be made secure in the enjoyment of il:
blessings, aud baye an equal voice with oil his
fellow .countrymep in the naem chi of its laws
When will our people have learned that it is
vain to resist the "logic Of events" which, after
NIL, is but The Providence of GOdi What iIu,l
cal be more plain than that If we do no, conced,
totte negro his rights, he will, sooner or later
take them, against our will and at our COST.
Wha, greater madness and folly can be imagined
than 10 attempt do degrade him longeri Fou
millions OF men, once slaves but now free, will
the Same instincts, desires and aspirations n,
Oiher mon, and, moreover, instructed in The ar
Of war, when the pressure OF military power il
once removed from them, will be formidable in
deed, If not permitted TO feel that this Govern
ment belongs to them as well as their white
eountrymen. Talk not Of negro equality! Let
us hear no more Of the impraclicabe scheme OF
colonization! However much we may regret il
those men are our connirymen, and the time is
at hand when they must be guaranteed not only
persouai freedom but political equality. We
must do them justice friends, or they will pl,i.
.mately exact it as enemies.
President Johnson is reported to have said re-
Gently, that he would be content to leave the
question ol Negro Suffrage to the loyal whites o
the Rebel States. We have great faiti, in Presi.
asnt Johnson. and therefore cannot think such o
remark could be intended to embody his broad.
sst view OF the question OF Reconstruction. Had
he said all loyal men, without distinction of col.
~,ihs senhmen, would have seemed more befit.