The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-06-02
Governing Rebel States.


the v;ows Of the pres Of New England up
on the question Of negro suffrage, when ask
ed. care you in favor Of Immediately grant
ing the elective franchise to the blacks?" we
said, "By no means, unless contingencies
mako 1t imperative" We hold the same
opinion still. save that We believe those con-
tingencies are upon us. Because,
lst. There should be no reconstruction OF
rebel States unless the country can DO assured
and that assurance DO rendered certainty,
that the cause which instigated the war shall
b. forever removed. and that all future action
taken BY such restored States shall DO in con-
iormity to that fact. e
I'd. Upon the theory that the rebel States
still maintain their position in the Union, rs
States, the provision Of the Constitution
making it mandatory upon Congress to guar.
sn,ee to every State republican form OF
government. Is rendered q nullity, unless the
blacks are allowed to vote.
I. The election recently held in Virginia
under the provision made by Gov. Pierpont,
has resulted in an almost unanimous choice
of secessionists to the House Of Delegates {;
and that result must per force exercise much
influence upon the manner in which the reb'
81 States are to DO intrusted with the elect
i've franchise. II demonstrates the fact, that
FROM the white population OF the recu'ans
States we are, at present, to expect no re-
form. The only friends OF the Union in the
South, with u few local exceptions, possessed
of any numerical strength, are the blacks.
Does IL seem wise to ignore that fact, 30 re-
Gently proven? We shall not in this article
argue from the standpoint Of Justice to that
class, but simply us it appears for our own
self protection.
There will be two parties in tho rebel
States-those who were originally rebels and
pro slavery citizens, having still hatred to
the Government and love for slavery, and
those who were originally Union men with
or without slavery, but who accept and in
good faith acquiesce in the new order Of
things. The latter are and will DO, during
this generation, at least, in hopeless and
helpless minority, unless they receive assist
ancs from the loyal masses who are now al.
lens at the ballot box. These masses depriv-
ed Of voting are superior o the majority Of
the white population, # devotion and loyal.
ty to their Government constitute the ele-
rnents Of citizenship. Why not avail our
Ives Of their aid? We have sought 1t 10
secure peace, nor have we sought in vain.
1t has been given in unstinted measure, and
in generous manner, while it will still DO
required in garrisoning important posts for
some time to come.
We fail to see how secure acknowledge
ment Of the end OF slavery can be obtained
FROM an oath administered. Let every rebel
in Virginia take the oath prescribed in the
Presidents proclamation Of amnesty; that
will not prevent Virginia from relapsing into
the barbarian Of slavery. 1t can only be
prevented BY presuming upon the. loyalty Of
majority Of her voters, which cannot be
presumed unless the blacks shall hereafter
have voice in saying what shall DO the
character Of future legislation.
n. That article in the Constitution which
says. "The United States shall guarantee to
every state in this Uuiop republican form
Of government" has ever been dead letter,
construed simply to mean u republic founded
not upon democracy. but upon an aristocra-
cy. This construction is rank heresy, and
ns much ut variance with democracy rs the
monarchial ideas Of Europe. Yetit has been
suffered to DO so construed, because of slav-
cry. Another clause in the Constitution has
been, for the same reason, ignored-that CIV
ing the citizens OF each state all the privileg-
es and immunities Of citizens in the several
states. That clause was incompatible with
the existence Of antagonistic institutions.
But now that our institutions are to be ho-
,nogeneous, shall we 30 reconstruct that the
whole Constitution may apply Unless we
do this. we are building upon the sand. That
brings US to the point in question. The Uni
ted States can not guarantee REPUBLICAN
torn Of government to each state, demo-
cratic form Of government to each state, and
ignore two thirds Of the population. Dem
orratic government must be founded upon
the will Of the majority. The war has deci-
drd that.
As necessity growing out Of the present
anti democratic construction OF the rebel
States. the Constitution has been violated in
discriminating between the different States.
Thus, South Carolina with voting popu-
lation for which representation is allowed. Of
only 29l 800. casts one moro electoral vote
than Maine with population Of 62s ga.
This inequality 10 sought to be rsmedied BY
representing the property Of the former
State. But, IL We start with this premise,
chat slavery 10 dead, or IL not actually de-
funct, shall DO before reconstruction shall
take place, there Is no property to be here
after represented in South Carolina. How
then shall that inequality 30 adjusted? IL
can ouly bs done by one Of two ways-re-