Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1865-09-29

in tho hour Of our Triumph, but Will
It's results incomplete and unsettled, i
is proposed that we be de-nationaiised
1t comes TO this. For no nation hns ev-
or existed hitherto that has overcom,
it's foes by virtne of its prowess anc
poweras nation, but dictated iIs term.
to the vanquishcd. Weare constituted
n nation tor an purposes to win the
prize from the7hand OF thetraitor; but
tho instant il is won, Il is contended
that he may re grasp "a, In he charac.
ter Of a citizen, and dictate bis terms ~
o conqueror. Is s0ch, on any princi.
Piles pertaining 10 national strife. either
forcignor domestic, the resnlt Of war.
which OF all ordeais ls the most decisive
and fnal in i;s arbiiramens?
ave dO.not 40 updefslaisd it. Either
party may begin = 2<,4 Is is fer the
successful party toHsK peace When
pence is made, i. viii be our province TO
declare Il aud define ltd terms Ii re-.
construction Of the fundamental articles
ct our Union is necessary, on account
OF the past parricidal strife Of these
eleven States, we shall determine what
is to be done, without leaving it TO them
10 limit our powers or obstruct our nc
tion. We, MS nation, have struck
down the bastard bars of the South,
and as such we shall SO reconstruct its
organic laws that those, now wilfuIly
without the told of the Union, who may
hereafter come in, shall not have the
temptation or the power to break
through its bonds. Congress, at the
earliest possible moment, shoad do.
clare the terms Of reconstruction 'neces
sary 10 secure just and honorable
peace. And when these terms, on full
deliberations, have been approved and
adopted by threc-fourlhs Of the loyal
States of The union, they should be re.
ceivcd as the final settlement Of the con.
troversy. ti Hs- iefaa' - afi
"Tbis mode Of action has the further
advantage that it is peaceful and uni
form in its operation aud character, and
sweeps away, by one act, from every
State Constitution and from all statutes,
North aud South, every vcsiige of law
in conflict with the aiuen6menis sus-
tained-a change which could much
more readily be Effected in the various
States IN this way than in ANY Othcr.--
AZ the same time, II would always be
suhj"ct TO enforcement by the judiciary
OF the nation aud It's authorities, aud
bO entirely beyond tho local control Of
the individual Siaics.s ltwould bo sys-
tcmatic also, as we have already com
menccd Alright by nmerding the Con.
slltution, and we have only to follow on
To that .iDe to'insure-hucccss As u fur.
thcr consideration, it is believed il
Won more iay pcetthe approval of
! be,. Executive, and better hgrmunize
The various cofleiing views on this
snhjcct than any other mode suggested
Of solving the problem of recObstruo.
ton. SD~many advantages should IN.
sure its favorable consideration.
1T can hardly admit of doubt that
providing for equality OF
Representation mud the general rights vf
the togro would receive the pubic np.
piOvaI. The acceptance of an amend
ment rs 10 suffrage would be moro
doubdul. But, suppose the first two
amendments bavo been adopted, nnd
tho third rejeoied. how then do We stand
IN reference To the Southg
"Whcn the first named changes arc
made aud have become iucorprutcd
iuio tho organic law OF tho land, their
F., fleet viii be 10 Withdraw eighteen rep.
reseriel'ycs IN Congress from tho South,
and Idd an tqnal number W 'hf N"rl'
making, on every testqueslion that may
arise, folative difference Uf thirty six
yot,s IA iverUi the North greater than
has ever heretofore EXISTED under the
present COnslituuon Withlhis mark
ed change 20 representation, Two results
would follow. The fuar 6i the predOm
mating iuiiuciice Of the South on she
legislation aud action uf the Govern.
ncn would be very much diminished, !,
whilo the SUulh would Immediately feel
The change, and d oanlroverey would nt
oDoo arise, among Southern men, whcth
w they might not regain their power
aud materially add 10 Il, by cxicnding
tile right ui suffrage 10 the negro popu
lnllun Ilhs Uliuut they might yefy
plnusibly hopo 10 effect by tair treat
nent VI the negrn, md the influence
they might thus txptot to exert over
him Ia eo,nu Of the States, This ueu
meat would be very likely 10 prerail
uAily, aud in nll would operate ~ a
and inoir'eillgient moens Tor
the ultimate attainment 0f uilltefshl
suffrage by the esnsenl OF the South -
There would bg the farther con- Unsh.
lion that the twU fnees would have Ions
ger opportunity 10 beeoHu accustomed
10 their new position, end learn their
rtspeollye needs and lelalIena 20 pueb
lao better qualified iUr change,
The dangers OF hfihRlng suddenly t0'
getbsr unwilling AID unprepared Iaees
would be diminished, aud theee dan
gprs afu not illvlal} .atiH.
ha Possibly.