Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-11-23

i,y the State for all terms of service in
the armies of the Union, exceeds two
hundred thousand men, much the great
er portion of these being for three years;
and in addition to this, not less than fifty
thousand State Militia have from time
to time been called into active service to
repel rebel raids and defend our southern
border from invasion, all of which win
be fully shown in the official report of
the Adjutant General. now in course of
preparation for publication.
Since the end ofthe war, all the Indi
ana troops heve been mustered out of
service except eighteen regiments OF
infantry. and three regiments of cavalry.
Every effort consistent with the interests
of the Government has been made by
the Executive Department of the State to
procure the early muster out of these
remaining Indiana regiments, and assur
ances have been received that orders for
their discharge will be issued as soon as
their services can be dispensed with.
For other interesting details relating to
our troops. YOU are respectfully referred
to communication from the Adjutant
General herewith submitted.
REORGANIZATION.
Since the, adjournment of the Legisla-
ture the civil war which had ddesolated
our country has terminated in the COM
plete triumph of the Government and
the suppression of the rebellion. The
evacuation Of Richmond, and the capt.
ulation of Lees army, were rapidly fol-
lowed hy the surrender of every other
rebel army in the field, and irregular
guerrilla warfare almost entirely passed
away in few weeks. The suppression
of the rebellion and the subjugation of
armed rebels seems to be complete,
while every redcl State has confessed to
the irretricYable destruction of the insti-
tuition Of slavery. The people of the
Soatll have bcan beaten ard overpower-
ell in the field; they have wholly lost their
property in slaves; much Of their country
has been overrun and made desolate by
the march and ravage Of great armies;
poverty and wretchedncss have been
brought home to large classes who be
fore had lived in wealth and luxury; large
numbers of their population have perish
ed in the conflict, and there is prevailing
among them great evaporation and
bitterness which time alone can assuage.
The great majority, however, appear
to regard the verdict of the war as IRE
versible, and to promptly accept the situa-
ton as one they cannot modify or put
aside. But while the heresey of State
sovereignty has been eXtirpated, and the
questions involved in the conflict settled
by the arbitrament of arms. it is yet of
the greatest importance to the nation
that these questions be adjudicated and
determined by the highest judicial tribu-
nal, which might most appropriately be
dvae ~ the trial, for high treason and
other atroo:: Gus crimes, of the chief insti-
gator and head o. this most wicked and
bloody rebellion. IT shou,.t be definitely
established as n principle in our EoI~''-
tuition. both by judicial decision and
example punishment, that rebellion is
treason, that treason is crime which
may not pc committed with imptmity,
and that there is but one sovereignty,
which resides in the collective and undi-
vided people of the United States.
The work of recognizing the Govern
ments of the rebel States. and bringing
them again into practical relations with
lie Government and people of the United
81. ties, is now upon the country, and de
m.,nds for its successful performance the
greatest wisdom. patience, and forbear-
ance.
But while it is important that the work
of reorganization shall not he necessarily
delayed, it is more important that il
shall proceed upon sound principles,
which will furnish guarantees for the flu
ture integrity and peace of the Republic.
The principal discussions which arise
on this subject pertain to the future sta
tus of the negro in the Southern States
BY some it is urged that comforting suf-
frage upon him shall be made condi-
ton of reorganization, or in other words
that the States lately in rebellion shall
not he permitted TO resume their practical
relations with the Government, except
upon the terms of first comforting the
rights ofsuffrage upon their freedmen.
As to the manner in which this measure
shall be accomplished, the friends of it
differ Some are in favor of persistent
~ excluding the members of Congress
from the Southern States, until negro
suffrage has been incorporated into their
several State Constitutions. Others as
sumo that the States lately in rebellion
are no longer members of the Union,
but have forfeited and lost their charac-
ter rs States, and are in fact held as con-
quered provinces, and, like unorganized
territories which may have been acquir-
cd by the Government, are under the
complete control and jurisdiction OF
Congress, which may confer suffrage up
on whomsoever it pleases.
The subject of suffrage is. by the ma
tional Constitution, expressly referred
to the determination of the several
States, and it can not be taken from
them without a violation of the letter
and spirit of that instrument
But without stopping to discuss theo-
ries or questions of Constitutional law,
and leaving them out of view, it would,
in my opinion, be unwise to make the
work of reconstruction depend upon a
condition Of such doubtful utility as ne
gro suffrage.
II 10 fort en- manifest tbot II sboul6