The New York herald., 1865-04-12
The Work OF Reconstruction-Vyhat 4
the True Policy.

the Irue fOifcy.
AS this tremendous war, with It's terrible
work OF destruction, draws to a close, the con
ditons Of peace and the reconstruction of the
rebellious States as members of the Union be-
come the leading topics of the day. In this
great work what is the true policy of the gov
ernment? If Mr.. Senator Summers theory be
correct-that by their rebellion the States con-
cerned have forfeited their existence as States
and are reduced to the condition of unorgan-
lied Territories-the first thing in order, after
the dispersion of General Joe Johnston's army,
will be to lay OFF the States subdued into new
Territories, regardless of their existing names
and boundaries as we are of those of the In
dian tribes Of the West in the absorption of
their domains But if the prevailing popular
theory is correct-that the rebellion has not
carried the States involved in it out Of the
Union, but has only suspended the operation
therein of the laws and sovereign authority OF
the Union-then the work of reconstruction
becomes exceedingly simple and easy.
That this popular acceptation Of the rebellion
is the true one we have never doubted. It is
so clearly established in the very preamble Of
the constitution, in opposition to the fallacies of
State sovereignty and secession, that no argu-
ment is needed to prove it. From the begin
ming Of the war this is the construction which
the administration has applied to the great con-
spiracy of Jeff Davis and Company: that the
States concerned are still in the Union, though
certain individuals therein, usurping the State
authority, are in arms against the Union. And
yet in the outset, in failing to apply this doc
trine to our Southern seaports, or in failing to
comprehend the nice distinctions of the law OF
nations, Mr.. Secretary Seward, in declaring
blockade of the Southern ports, instead of
declaring them closed, furnished Earl Russell
that convenient pretext upon which he excuses
his swift concession of 'belligerent rights" to
JEFF. Davis That which has been done at the
end Che declaring certain ports closed) should
have been done at the beginning of the war;
Upon the main question, however, Mr. Sew
ard, some two years ago, in a despatch for the
information Of the French government, sug-
gested the policy of reconstruction, which will
hold good to-day-the simple policy of pro-
viding for the return to the federal Congress of
the members dusFTfom the rebellious States.
Congress is the proper national convention for
the business in hand, and no other is wanted.
The proclamation of a general amnesty; the
holding, if you please, of every State concerned
to the actual facts and consequences of the war,
in reference to African slavery, to the extent of
its complete abolition; and the military protec-
tion of the people, under these stipulations, in
u oc sv,<l <l,o
election of new set of members to Congress,
are all the proceedings required to complete
the task Of reconstruction.
General Grant, in his magnanimous terms of
surrender to General Lee, disarming his veteran
legions Of their physical and moral weapons of
resistance, has indicated the true policy for the
administration. It is only to say to the people,
including the leaders and the armed forces Of
the insurgent States, lay down your arms, re-
turn to your homes, obey the laws, and instead
Of being prosecuted you will be protected.
The military necessity" Of confscation having
ceased, that matter should be turned over for
liberal revision by Congress. Nor need there
be any difficulty apprehended on the slavery
question, though President Lincoln may insist
upon the binding obligations of his emancipa-
ton edicts. Slavery is dead the rebellion has
killed it. Let the people Of the States con-
cerned, then, be invited to treat it accordingly,
and q little reflection will bring them to it
We apprehend no danger from a pardon to
the rebel leaders, political or military. They
have played their game Of rule or ruin, and
have lost it. Refuse them the honors of mar
tyrdom. They may be left to the judgment Of
the people whom they have so cruelty and sell
fshly betrayed. With the violent death they
have brought upon their institution Of slavery,
the cause, the argument and the party of
Southern confederacy cease to exist. II four
years of this terrible war have done the work
of q century Of peace, we must advance q CEN
tury now that the work is done.
Our GENERAIs.-Ni is o remarkable fact that
we have developed more generals of first class
military talent in our four year war than Eu-
rope has produced in any twenty years of her
military history. This fact is the more extra
ordinary when we consider that most Of these
men were taken from the civil walks of life.
Many of them, 1t Is true, had been educated at
our military academy at West Point, and held
commissions in the regular army; but q large
number Of these had retired from the service
long before the war broke out, and adopted
more profitable occupations. The regular army
four years ago was very small nucleus
amounting, In all branches of the service, to an
| average number Of fourteen thousand men
ont of which 10 form the brilliant catalogue Of
great soldiers which now occupies the muster
roll Another curious fact is also worthy Of
notice, and that Is that the most prominent Of
our generals are descendants Of those races
who inhabit the British islands-the Celtic,
Gaelic, Cymric and Saxon races. Grant, the
Gael, is Of Scotch descent; Sheridan, the Celt
was born Of Irish stock; Sherman, the Anglo
Saxon, comes Of On English family, and Thomas
- Al IA