Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-08-30
RECONSTRUCTION.

structIon of the rebel States and its decla-
rations deserve more than ordinary atten-
ton coming from the dominent party in
the State which more than any other, has
heretofore held the lead in our national pol
itics. First, the Convention thus unequiv-
ocally supports President johnson:
THAT revering the memory of Abraham
Lincoln, the great martyr of liberty, we can
not show greater honor to his name than by
a generous support of his fellow patriot,
and successor, Andrew johnson, the Presi-
dent of the United States, who has been
called to complete the task which he left
unfinished. His unbending patriotism in
the past is sure guaranty that in the mo-
mentous future the authority of the govern
ment will be upheld, and the rights and lib
critics Of all the citizens of the republic Sc
cured.
There is no condition here assigned. The
support is without proviso, and rests upon
an abiding confidence in the man. Next
as to his policy of reconstruction, the Con
vention says:
THAT the mild and generous method of
reconstruction offered by the President to
the people lately in rebellion, in the judg
| ment of this Convention, has not been ac-
cepted in the spirit of honest loyalty and
! gratitude, but with such evidence Of def
ance and hostility as to impel US to the con-
| viction that they cannot safely be entrusted
with the political rights which they forfeit
ed by their treason until they have proven
| their acceptance of the results Of the war by
| Incorporating them in constitutional provis-
ions, and securing to all men within their
! borders their inaienable right to life, liberty
| a,oI tba I1I,rcI1it IF hapf;pncc -
In this resolution the Presidents policy
is declared mild and generous, and therefore,
if accepted in the right spirit by the south,
| calculated to accomplish the great purpose.
| But this acceptance has not taken place,
the convention says, in the proper spirit of
| loyalty ald gratitude, but with manifest hos
tility; and we endorse this emphatically, as
we do also the subsequent declaration that
these rebels cannot be safely entrusted with
State institutions until they have demon
strated their loyalty and acceptance of the
war by Incorporating them in constitution
al provisions, and securing to all men with
in their borders the right of life, liberty and
the pursuit of happiness.
Tiiis we understand to be the spirit Of
what President johnson said to the : outh
Carolina delegation, when he told them that
they must ratify the amendment to the ma
tional Constitution abolishing slavery, as
well as accept emancipation as accomplished
under President Lincoln's proclamation.
We understand it also to be the spirit Of the
Administration policy, as enforced by the
Freedmen's Bureau and by the orders of
the War Department annulling the black
laws, disregarding all efforts to enforce them,
compelling respect for the rights of the
freedmen, and securing wages, instruction
and support to them. This resolution,
therefore, as it stands, is the exact express
sion Of the present policy of the national
government, which is not prepared to re-
cognze any Of the rebel States until all
these requirements are complied with. The
next resolution is shorter, but equally i'm
portant and direct:
That, having conquered the rebellious
States, they should be held in subjection,
and the treatment they are to receive, and
who are to govern them, should be referred
to the law making. power of the nation, to
which 1t legltlmateiy belongs
This resolution is the natural and una
voidable result of the extraordinary conduct
of the rebel politicians in attempting to re-
new their old misunderstanding. 1t is pro-
nounced the determination to which every
loyal man in the north must have been driv-
en- by the course of events, and at which we
are quite sure the Administration arrived |
some time since. 1t announces, not an O.
pinion, nor principle, but fixed deter
of that great party which controls
an immense majority of the national Con-
gress, and is therefore fully able, as it is
ready to enforce its governing power. To
this President Johnson has already announc-
ed his adhesion, and stated to some of the
southern delegations that the decision lay
with Congress
Pennsylvania thus takes her stand firmly
for such policy as will obliterate the south
ern treason forever, and regenerate that
hapless section For ourselves we do most
heartily rejoice that our State has courage
ously given voice to this policy, and pro-
nounced for the only course that seems like
ly to bring us permanent peace. The last
resolution to which We wish to ask the at
tention of our readers, embodies in brief |
form something of what we have heretofore
the south must be made to
pay for her treason .essl @
s'That as the late rebellion was wantoniy I
by the property holders Of the !
south, it is but just that they should pay [
the expenses of the war, and Congress {