Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1865-12-14

tempered by the heat evolved from sue
cessfrl war against the extreme Stat,
Rights principle. He passes from thi,
analysis TO vindication Of the principle.
| of Republican freedom lie takes his stand
on the side of the Constitution. He de
clares fer peace, harmony and speedy resto-
ration. and paints both the impolicy and
| the savagery of the alternative theory o.
! dividing the nation between vanquishers
and vanquished, and the great perils and
I exhausting expense of a martial govern
ment for the South. In word, the Presi-
| dent adheres to and maintains the pro-
| gramme of reconstruction with which his
| speeches and declarations have made the
country familiar, and which has caused the
South to regard him as great benefaetor
! and wise statesman. No matter that he
| has not done this with an elan and spirit OF
| defiance that would have kept pace with
| the ardor Of our desires and our sense of
right No matter if the President has for
! gotten the prime rule of pugilism, which is
| to get the first blow and make it telling
! one, in all great encounters. He has done
en0ugh to plant himself squarely and fair
ly in antagonism to the radical programme
which tramples constitution, freedom and
humanity under the feet of cruel and in
exorable partyism.
From the n. o. Picayune.l
The assertion of the principle that the
States are indestructible parts of the Union,
under the Constitution, forever, is the bull
wark which the President interposes in adj
vance against the efforts with which he is
threatened TO be crossed in his policy by a
Radical Congress, to reduce to the condition
of alien territories won in war, States which
the President believes to be indispensable
parts of the system, with functions only tenn
pOrarily suspended.
Here is antagonism in doctrine between
President johnson and the Radicals of the
Republican party Ii we were discussing
the points of difference between them, and
their practical application to present and
coming events, with any hope Of influencing
action in favor of liberal dealing with the
Southern States as the only constitutional, as
we'll az the wise and magnanimous course, a
great deal might be urged in support Of the
Presidents views and something gratefully,
in extenuation of his enforced departure, in
material parts of his restoration policy,
from his own expressed convictions. But
the Southern people are without voice in
tated, and powerless, by argument OF per-
suasion, to influence the decisions. They
must accept what is decreed for them, and
only provoke indignity by argument and re
mOnstrance.
The language Of the President seems to
imply that he has acceded to the condition
that the Southern Legislature must ratify the
constitutional amendment respecting slavery
before their representatives can be admitted
into Congress on equal terms with the loyal
States. The requisitionis made hesitatingly,
but the meaning is clear. The value of the
amendment is urged with great warmth as 4
pledge Of sincerity in the return to the Union,
and of perpetual loyalty and peace-an as
surance of oblivion Of all past memories,
and balm for the healing of all wounds.
Delay will only be a source Of uncertainty
and jealousy. The appeasing of these hos
tile passions by ratifying the amendment, is
put forward prominently by the President as
a means of facilitating the restoration of the
States 1t is only said by implication that it
is positive condition to be enforced.