The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1865-08-25

ard the highest civilization, enliehtenmsn 8.
and political freedom.
The result Of the war gives us the right,
and imposes upon rs the duty, to demand
of those Who have been In rebellion, indem.
nifty for the past and security for the fu.
ture. and no Que will have tho right to com.
plain II the resumption of their status in the
Union ia made to depend upon the earnest
ness and sincerity with which they avail
themselves of tho opportunity given by the
reconstructiou policy of the President, for
them to accept these results of the war
which have spoken Of, 10 good faith.
RIGHTS OF WAR.
As / have above remarked, the militsFy
subsection Of the Southern country gives
us. under the rights of war, the power to
carry out such policy % true wisdom may
dictate. We are bound, cot so much In
duty 70 those who have seen 10 rebellion,
as In duty to ourselves, and consistency
with those principles of republican freedom
which We bold up for the example OF the
world. to make our policy one which shalt
ultimately give, even to those who have
been 10 rebellion, the fullest rights Of citi.
zensbip and participation in the govern
ment. provided their conduct shall warrant
II, and shall prove that the safety Of the
whole country will not be compromised by
SO doing. While We admit the right of oil
citizens to participation in the government,
no one can deny the right to disfrauchise
those who have proved themselves incOr-
rigibio traitors, and unrepeptant rebels
Republicsnism does not demand that We
destroy the public life. 1t 10 by bringing
forth fruits meet for repentance that those
Who have been in hostility to the nation
must show that they are worthy to be re-
ceived again into that family which they
have 80 persisteutly and determinedly en-.
desvored to destroy.
THAT WHICH Is TO BR DONE.
It 10 neither possible nor necessary nov
to determine what shall be the precise steps
In the future, by which che contamination
which We desire is to DO brought about.-
The course of events will determine that.
That which It is now necessary for us to set-
tie 10 that those loyal people who have
saved the government will continue, 10 uD-
broken ranks, its supporters, and while
| they are ready to meet more than half way
all honest advances on the part of their re-
cent foes, they will bold within their own
hands the power of determining when .
complete and fnsl reconciliation 10 accom-
plisbed. In the same spirit, and with the
same sence of responsibility. our duties 70
WHAT COMES AFTER SLAVERY.
Having overthro~n the system of slavery;
% stated at the outset, because IL was Q
| crime against humanity, and destructive Of
the interests of both races; having brought
those Who we're slaves out from under the
iron rule to which they bad been subjected.
two paths of progress open before 10 and
| them. One Of these leads toward the ulti.
mate separation Of the races. - being hu.
man families 20 distinct from each other
that the highest Advancement of both may
be found 10 their separate existence. The
other path seeks that civilization and I'D.
vaucement, which We unite In dcs,riug, by
| means Of the ,nterfusion Of the two races
into one poiitica! community. Here is no
question of absolute right or principle. bot
practical good. No absolute rights of man
would be violated by taking either road
The principles which would sctuste us in
choosing the one or the other would be the
same. The question simply would be which,
| In view of the circumstances and conditions
of the problem, 10 the best practical road
for them and for ne.
THE PROBLEM OF THE RACES
In determining it, we have to weigh the
prejudces and the enmities of men; the an.
tipatbies and even the wicked hatred which
may exist. not because such prejudices or
such hatred 10 right, but because, - exist.
ing facts, they must affect the happiness Of
both races, and the success of any plan
which attempts to secnre tho highest I'D.
vancement and happiness of both. No
plan 10 Without its difficulties. Each has
it's dangers. According to our tendencies
and habits Of mind, and The impressions
which different classes of facts have made
on us, as We have observed them, We may
prefer the one or the other; but our
differences with regard to this question as,
With reference to that of recoostTuction of
the white society at the South. being differ.
ences simply of detail. not Of principle. are
such as need not prevent our hearty and
sincere corporation, and our cordial acqui-
escence 10 whatever the good sense of
majority of the loyal people may anally de-
termibe. E
In this respect. the difference between us and
our opponents is heaven wide. They ignore the
rights OF those who have been slaves. While
they were In subection they not only avowed the
fact but reioiced In it, that these people had no
rights which the white man was bosnd 70 re-
spect. II they argue that the two races cannot
exist in the same political government, they
argue il in order to draw forth the conclusion that
the one must. and ought 70 remain subject and
servile race, while the other shall be the only
one which can claim or exercise those personal
or political rights upon which our Government Ia
based. When any OF the Union party advocate
the adoption of plan which would lead to ulu.
mate sspa ration. they do It because they believe
can be made. And they urge IL, not that one race
may remain master and the other subject, but
that both may find the fullest opporiuhiiy Tor all
the progress in everything which snnobles the
The determination Of this question ie thing
which Is moi imposed on us at prevent II. Nike