The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-06-28
Gov. PiarnontIa MASSAGE.

Gov. Pisrpones Message.
Gov. Pierpont seems disposed to, ''like Cato,
give his little senate laws" His recent mes
sage to his fractional legislature, relating to
reconstruction and negro-suffrage, has some
peculiar points. BE does not like that clause
of the constitution DISTINGUISHING all who
have aided the rebellion since January, 1854,
and recommends its repeal. He says:
This is delicate task, and one that de-
mands great wisdom and prudence. Old POI
Iitical issues have passed away; animosities
created by the stern conflicts OF war, will pags
with the subsidence of angry feeling, and rea-
son and calm rejection follow the feverish ex-
element through which we have passed. Be
yond the demands Of public justice, any ac-
ton tending to produce irritation, Or create
new causes Of difference, would be not only
inconsistent with humanity, but with a sound
and enlightened policy. The most important
question which demands our immediate con-
sideration is that of the restoration OF politi-
cal rights to those who have heretofore enjoy
ed them.
There are some people so perversely obtuse
that they cannot see it exactly in that light
They are not prepared to make the restora-
ton Of power to those gentry who have justly
forfeited 1t by their treason the first duty Of
the day and they think it question Of at
least equal importance how to secure the
restoration. of their political rights to those
who have not hitherto enjoyed them. The
governor says he is convinced that sif the test
of loyalty prescribed by our constitution is
enforced In the election and qualification of
officers, it would render Organization i'm
practicable in most of the. counties of the
State" 33*+t ~ tAs1a~S
Then we submit that the State had better
wait. II 1t can only be put in working order
by being delivered over to disloyal hands, we
think the safety Of the country would be con-
suited BY hanging up the machine altogether,
and leaving the unfortunate people of the Old
Dominion to the care of the United States
government until they shall become capable
of managing one for themselves. ',
But in this connection the Governor GER
tainly says very good thing. He declares
that Tff ETF g gyE grin TT 4
1t Is Jolly to suppose that a State can be
governed under republican form of govern
ment when large portion Of the State-nine-
teen tWentieths of the people--are dlsfran-
chlseo ana cannot hold Office 81 ..ss
Precisely. That is the very priHciple for
which we contend, and it is highly gratifying
70 see tnis conservative" governor beginning
TO De aware OF Tits value. The unfortunate
Circumstance connected with the matter is,
however, that he II willing to apply this excel
lent principle only one way. He nleads the
eause of these .~a;+,ss s,,..,.....
10 ,ha,,,.h ua,.. S'se4spA
& ~. Y enlfeals the Y MI
TED states government to consider that sit is
not in accordance with the sy,irt of that noblal
.Anglo.soxor go, 80 -
"s'' .Avn mAlcp We Doasea cur
cVAAAon orlgln, 10 strike afallen brother and
then proceeds himself to strike fallen broth
=, :, =. 'ne .nos' osnameiul ana cruel manner.
o the Wncie question of negro suffrage and
negro rights he gives the cold shoulder inter-
~ sis,.;S.es a. 81 ..44s ~. 81 lssr.e-
-ssss1 ! y - ~ = i'
ana Tells the legislature which be has Just
charged with the duty of altering tho State
consultation in ono resnsc, .hat H.
-. 60, fo'' '--s' 'A''' !" nia''ei
o'ei "nlcn .neiener you nor nave any con-
troll; II Will OF course not be a subject OF your
deliberation.n
. The Worcester Spv-whose editor ~ a.
oPs "no'e euitof, " tne
way, represents his district in the thirty
eighth, and is member elect Of the thirty
ninth Congress--comments aava,al, .h,,s,,,.. (
" on tbis massoae Tho - s1''-
of f,orao- p,sss.,- oso.'Ance' ne says
y oo'oinol icrponrs renoitlon OF the case
auouuiS 10 tnls " -t-s- Is