Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1865-04-13
RECONSTRUCTION.


been thought that has not been written, on
the manner of the return of the rebel states
to the union and the difference on this
question is likely to be one of the leading
disagreeements between the two great
parties of the country. For, it is generally
held by the democrats, that the rebel states
should be allowed to take their old places
under the government, without any re-
strictions, filling their vacated seats III the
National Legislature as formerly, and
moving along under their own civil regu-
lations, Just as if they had done no wrong.
To do this the republicans cannot agree
The rebels have inflicted too much injury
upon the country to warrant this 1t is
too much to ask, and more than Justice can
concede Aside from the fact, that it will
not only be no punishment, but reward
for the most villanous offences that men
can be guilty of, it will be the worst kind
of ingratitude, and injustice to those who
opposed secession in the rebel states-
These loyal people, after suffering every
thing for the country, will be again, and
forever after, at the mercy of their unre.
lenting, and the Governments bitterest en-
emies
Taking it even on the ground held by
the democrats, it is contrary to all the
usages of civil society, to allow the rebels
to come back unpunished. This party holds
for example, that the abolitionists are as
much to blame for the war as the rebels
there is not a word of truth in this-but
for arguments sake conceding it,and where
does it lead to? Men burn down houses,
commit murder, and violate every conceiv-
able law enacted for the protection of life
and property, under the plea of having
been provoked to it by personal wrongs
inflicted on them but is any one so de-
mented as to advocate the abrogation of
all punishment for crime, because of this
plea? Or, do courts Of law regard the eX-
cuses which offenders set up as justifica-
tions for the commission of crime? If
they did, we would soon have no courts.
The people would not tolerate a practice
founded on such theory. w. COBB kENE-
DY, the spy, and hotel burner, who was re-
Gently hung for his crimes alleged that he
was provoked to the commission of heinous
offenses by Gen. SHERIDAN's raid through
the Shenandoah Valley. Does any one
deem this excuse reasonable ? So that the
whole theory upon which the democrats at
tempt to Justify the crimes of the rebels,
is against reason, as it is against law and
the very object had in view in the punish
mcnt of offenses is to hinder their commits
sion So also in the punishment of the
rebels, the chief point to be gained is fu-
ture safety. This requires, nay, compels
the punishment of the rebels. This is
what the future exacts from the present
age ; and the present owes to posterity Sc
curity against rebellion. Our own, and
we doubt not, the sympathy of the admin
our feelings neither instruct us in law or
duty, and the demands of the latter far
transcend those of the former Obedience
to law, and stern duty, exact equal justice
to all.
We have before intimated the conviction,
that no man who has borne arms against
the government, should again be allowed
to hold franchise under it ; and the more
we reflect over this, the more settled the
conviction becomes 1t is held by some,
that as the qualifications for voting, and
holding Office, are municipal regulations,
and, for the most part, under the control of
the states, the General Government cannot
interfere. This is all very true. but con-
viction of treason works attainder, or for
feiture of franchises, and bearing arms
against the government is treason, and
why not convict all who are guilty of this
crime? In the rebel states, those who have
taken active part against us, are much
more numerous than those who have not 4;
and because of their loyalty, the former