Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1865-05-05
Enemy Territory"

NOW lhat the sword mas ABOUT CON-
pleted its work in the social and political
transformation of southern society, the
work of reconstruction will hereafter &C.
cupy largely the attention of leading
statesmen. Already the "status of the
South" is a question of absorbing interest.
BY decision of Chief Justice Chase in
the case of the United. Estates rs Elizibetl,
Alexander, the subject assumes shape
not altogether pleasing to those who are
striving to secure the earliest return OF
the recusant States without security for
tie future.
The case Is an interesting one: Mrs.
Alexander claimed quantity of cotton
that had been taken by Union forces, on
the ground that Gen. Banks had oc-
cupied the parish of Ayoyelles, Louisi
ana, in which she resided, and that, while
the Union troops were there, she had
taken the oath Of amnesty required by
the Presidents proclamation. But thi.
plea awaited her nothing. In deciding
the case, Judge Chase took tits high
ground we qcote from his decision:
1t is said that, though remaining in
rebel territory. Mrs. Alexander has no
personal sympathy with the rebel cause.
and that her property: but this court
cannot inquire into the personal charac'
ter and dispositions of individual inhabit
ants Of enemy territory. We must be
governed by The principle Of public law
SO often ANNOUNCED from this bench as ap>
plcable alike to civil and international
wars, that all the people of each State
or district in instruction against the
United States m IL st be regarded as
enemies until by the action of the Legs
lature ard the Executive, or otherwise,
that relation is thoroughly and perman-
emily changed.
We attach no importance, under the
circumstances, to the elections said to
have been held for delegates 10 the Con-
stitutional Convention.
This decides the present status of
every State which rebelled against the
authoriey Of the general government; ii
IS enemy territory.
10 a subsequent part of his decision,
the Chief Justice said "Mrs. Alexander
being now resident in enemy territory.
and in law an enemy, can have no stand
ing in any Court of the United States
20 long as that relation exists" Thus.
the very evil of mo rights, &c" which
under the Dred Scott decision bore down
20 grievousy upon the black race, by
he course of justice has b. Ell transferred
80 tue uppressor. Formerly, ,ire negroes
had "no rights which white men wtrr
bound to respect Now, the white men.
OF the rabelIious States have no right,
which negroes are bound to respect
Tits is one of the freaks of Nemesis.
doubtless, but it teaches most important
lesson.
THIS decision assures The country thai
the rebels who have been defeated inI
the field, cannot by coup de maitre
triumph in the Capitol. Ii would doubt
less, crafty the political ambition of Gem
Banks and his followers to carry out theft
scheme, but against this too easy method
with the insurIecionary States there is
arrayed the popular sentiments of the
country and the full, ample power Ct the
Supreme Court. We must have some se-
curty against future rebellions, and ly
making thoro' work how we shall avoid
trouble for our descendants. The slaves
must be elevated to a political equality
,ciM their masters before there can be
any thorough political reconstructon.--
This is alike the spirit of the age, the
doctrine of The people and the decree of
iate.-.Spri"qfeld Union.