Cairo evening times. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1865-1866, 1865-10-25
~POLITICAL STATUS OF THE RE-
BELLIOUS STATES.

Ever since the opening gun of the late rebel
lion was fred, and its explosion reverberated
throughout the length and breadth of the land
learned minds have been cogitatng, and poll
ticians discussing, as to the status which the
rebellious States would occupy in the family
Of States and toward the Federal Government,
when war had given way to. peace, the Ser
pent to the Eagle, and the ''red, white and
red'' to the emblematic colors, "red, white
and blue.' And still the question is not set
tied to the satisfaction of all, but occupies a
prominent niche in the fabric of controversy at
the present time. 10 us the subject seems a
plain one, and we propose making the effort to
render it plain to Others
A. contends that when the rebell;ous States
revolted they committed political suicide, and
forfeited their positions in the family of States.
B. argues that as no State can seeede, none
can forfeit their rights or position, but that inn
mediately upon their laying down their arms
they are privileged to enjoy all Il rights orig
inally guaranteed them under the constitution,
ana that the National Government cannot die
tate TO such States any terms OF re-admission
into the Union, inasnuch as they were never,
in fact, out of the Union.
Both are partly right and partly wrong.
That the Federal Government is not CO.
partnership of States from which any of the
members can withdraw at pleasure, is beyond
dispute. The correspondence which, passed
between Alexander Hamilton, of New York,
and the representatives of the Federal
Government on this question: fully proves the
intention and design of the trainers of the Gov
ernment New York petitioned for leave to
join the Union on probation, and if satisfactory
to her, after certain specified time, she would
join permanently. Her request was peremp-
tory denied, and she was informed tina. aore
but permanent partners would be admitted,
and on these express conditions New York
took her position in the Union, as did all the
other States. A State once admitted into the
Union, must forever remain there, unless divi-
ded in the manner prescribed in the Consttu-
tion Politicians have denied this position of
late years, but the people understand it as We
have presented it.
But the people composing the body polite
of State, may, aye, can forfeit their political
Government. When they raise up in arms
against its authority and threaten to crush its
existence, they place themselves in precisely
the same attitude toward the General Govern.
ment that an offending, law breaking citizen
does towards society. The former continue in
tegral portions of the Union, but as
the latter are restrained OF their ''enjoyment Of
,al,l.a 3 L. II
are the former of their political privileges. The
Southern States occupy the position of con-
querej enemies, and they are subject to such
terms and conditions as the General Govern.
ment may see proper to impose upon them.
They can be restored to the status formerly oc.
cupied by them, endowed with the free exer
else Of the powers of local Government and
representation in the councils of the Nation o
made to conform to any certain specified anC
prescribed rules or probationary policy. Blu
when once restored to the enjoyment of thei
civil and political rights, like unto the par
doned criminal, they can never again be ar
ragnod for tho same offence. The same Con.
stitution covering and controlling the loya
States is to them their shcct-anchor.
The Federal government mas stipulatcd bu
one provision, compliance with which IA necc.
sary to secure the rcbelhous States admisso
into the Union, viz: TO vote for the ant
slavery amendment To the Federal Constitution
Slavery is naturally looked upon rs tho autho
insligaror or incentive through which the la
rebel. on was iuaugurated, and with this III
derstanding it behooves the powers that be
to throttle the monster before it can revive
wonted strength and strike again at the life
the Nation.