The Indianapolis daily herald., 1865-12-18
Joint Committee OF Fifteen ON Re-
construction-Rea "A Committee
toTnftfafc Dissolution OF the Union.

Joint Committee OF Fifteen ON Re-
eonsfruction-Reaii "A Committee
toInstiate Dissolution OF the Union.
This committee j. noniinally created % con-
siaer q the condition of tine southern states
and wbefher they are entitled % b. represented
IN Congress. CO Ibis Committee. ihe Cleye-
land Leader lIiepubiicanl -sys-
1T. majority j. thoroughly radical. and the
men Who ccinposc IL sac among the ablest in
the House. Thaddrus stevens. II PeunSylya-
MIA, j., a. everybody had expected. H. chair
us1n, and there l. bet more radical man IN
The entire Iiou-c than be. If j. ably sustain
al by such men ~ Bingham, Of tbs state
Morrill,. q Vermont. Boutwell,. 81 Massachii-
-ctt-. tonkliu, q Ncw York and " a-hLtirne-
q llllnol.-men who stand among The hr-t ~
the House. for ability aud craftsmanship. and
whose views on the reconstruction are thor
oughly sougd. Nr. Blow, 81 Missoss1, who i
the seventh l.epubhcsm on the list. J. not class
81 a raficsi. bat win probably act with the
Republican maOriiy.-
This committee presents strange spectacle.
All the states are on the Union The Union
has never been dissolved Individual, Of the
southern states. provoked by the treason Of
GDDINGs, GARRISON aud others, have COM
mitted forcible resistance TO the Govern
menf Of the United States, committed crimes,
which acts have raised questions between those
individuals and the Executive and Judicial
departments Of the Federal Government
former a 10 pardons the latter a to proseeu-
tions and punishments: but Congress the lcSi,-
latyc department, can pass no er past Jacfo
law, either aggrayating crimes committed, or
the punishment Of them, or declaring acts. not
crimes when committed 10 be 50. The states
remain with the powers Of states: can provide
for elections, and declare who shall vote at
them. and eau allow rebels to vote, - well A.
negroes. il they please. Congress has no power
10 enquire into the propriety OF state laws pre-
-<rslsis~ the qualifications Of voters. Could
any one contest the seat of General DUMONT in
Congress, on the ground that the election laws
81 Indiana We're not palatable 90 the MAJORITY Of
Congress. His seat might be- contested be-
cause votes, not allowed by our state laws.
were admitted. not on account Of the persons
whether women, children. rebels. Chinese
by our laws 10 vote. This being 20.
when the States OF the south send up their
senators and Representatives 90 Congress, and
they appear and offer to take the oath to sup
port the Constitution Of the United states that
is al that can be fairly and Justly and legally
required of them. as the conditions of their ia
king seals. And " to all the individuals n
between them and the judiciary. they are to be
presumed innocent till they are proved guilty.
Tie GIRL governments of the Southern states
never died; and the United states military gov
ernmcnts were not exclusive were only tenn
porAry, aud limited to just the extent necessa-
/ ry 10 put down the person, in arms resisting
I the Federal GOrerRmeat They never super
seeded, Jy right, the-ci,il governments of the
states. And, now that the rebellion is down
and the armies iisbandcd. thc civil govern
ments Of the states by natural necessary OPP
Grafton. fall Immediately into the cXcr-
else of all the powers OF the Stilp> and
the full control Of their unarmed. and aS to
the Federal Government unreslsting people,
AMI possess. srycraly. their necessary. rnhe-
rent STATE power and right. to allow them to
vote. md 70 hold oflce. - be they will take
the oath 10 support the Constitution of the
United states. III they will do that now il is
all that should be required. This is the simple
truth ofthe matter But the Republicans. an
sn..te,l by hclli-i hate. still determine To- pur-
sue the helpless South. Already this course Is
exciting a feeling IN that quarter that may
rouse more than one Mexican JUAREz. VIII
orr Northern Republicans never let us have
peace aud Union: This Joint Committee In
Congress is created and constituted 10 prolong
! trouble. and not more than ten Republican
members oppose IT, Now will come JOHN
SON. time to take his stand, Use the veto. and
appeal to the people If he wiz do so. he may
save the nation: says the Louisville Journal:
\ WORD OF WARNING.-Fo years before
the late struggle, thoughtful men in different
! portions Of The country solemnly warned the
cOntcnding factionists Of the inevitable con
! sequences that must sooner or later follow the
4 fierce strife upon the slavery question. Our
/ great mcn-N ebstcr. Clay. trittcnden, etc
in what prophetic tones they bcSought their
countrymcn To cease their angry contentious.
! and how sl0einily they pecred into the dark
and bloody future which they forcsew would
BE- realized if the spirit of hatred and aliena-
| ton continued To be sedulousy fostcred 10y
! frc1rand sectiOnalists. They were iecred at
/ for their notes Of warning; Tidieuled ~ old
women in their dotagc. trying To Brighten men
fsom their propriety and principles.
The adlufati0nS Of the true friends of the
country-the great men eloquent UNI
| needed. The war of words went on. The fierce
challenge AMI the fiery retOrt were kept up.
fhe clouds all round our devoted horizon grew
darker and more ominous. The bitterness Of
gall WAS infused into public discussions.
whether Of the press or OF tine forum. Hatred
was cultivated ~ u Fetish. Each side repre-
>ented the other in the blacklist and most
odiouS cOlors. Misrepresentation. either from
! ignoIanee or desgn-and il was frequently
both became the rule. and fairness If repre-
/ >enting opponents the exception. Madness
became more insane. Who but crazy men could
/ Keep from seeing harvest of blood and woe
/ from the sowing Of such seed? How the fools
rushed i'm where angels but pause and weep.
But what we wish To inquire is. whether the
4 history Of that period is 10 be- lost upon the
country: whether we are to have repetition
/ Of the combat. mere terrible tempest and 4
biackar ,leluge. Are similar parties 10 re-en
/ act tragedies dark and rpinorSeleSs and seat
1 ter BLASTING milleMs over half a continent.