The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-07-24


msnts should take notice that the Baltimore
platform quoted is the platform of the same con-
vention that nominated Abraham Lincoln and
Andrew johnson. We commend all these docu-
ments to the very respectful consideration of the
Emperor Of France. We desire that he will
especially ponder the resolution of the popular
branch of our Congress-the House of Repre-
sentatives-and not tail to reflect that when
Congress voted ON that resolution 1t forgot
even that there were parties. One hundred
and nine members were present, and one hum
dred and nine voted aye.
The Difficulties i'm the Restoration OF the
southern states.
From the violent overthrow, by fire and
sword, of social and political system of two
hundred years of careful development, we
cannot expect to see the work OF social ana
political Reorganization on new corner stone
accomplished in day. The abolition of
slavery in the South is revolution which is so
comprehensive in its social and political bear
ings that some time will be required for the
people directly concerned to realize their true
situation. They are not cured Of those falla-,
cious notions of constitutional rights which
carried them into the rebellion. In Tennessee,
for example, the secesh elements denounce as uu-
constitutional the new loyal State government
and the proceedings of it's officers in reference
to an approaching State election, and they
threaten to give some trouble on election day
in defiance Of the State authorities and their re-
strictions in the matter of the right of suffrage
The President has been constrained to inter-
in Tennessee, a State fully recognized for some
time, we see that the loyalists cannot as yet
hold their ground without the aid of the strong
arm of the general government.
Much of this excitement among the secesh
incurables of Tennessee is doubtless due to
one Emerson Etheridge a disappointed politi-
clan. who has become a mischievous agitator.
He has been checked in his career by General
Thomas, who holds him under military arrest;
but this proceeding only affords new text for
Etheridge in defence OF his constitutional
rights. According to such fellows neither the
President, nor State government which they
do not like, has any rights which traitors are
bound to respect From such exhibitions Of
the old secession spirit in Tennessee, we may
readily infer that in the more intensely seces-
sion cotton States The military authority of the
government will have to be maintained good
while longer, for the maintenance OF law and
order, and especially to keep the disguised
whites and their emancipated blacks from cut
ting each others throats, under the exciting
agitation of negro suffrage by Northern radical
missionaries.
We had expected that with the meeting OF
tue new Congress in December all the rebel
lous States would be on hand will, their re-
representatives. knocking for admission at the
doors of both houses. But the difficulties at
tending this work OF restoration are great and
manifold, and the premature Northern agita-
lion of Southern negro suffrage increases the
elements Of confusion and the embarrassments
Of the President. from Virginia to Texas. From
present appearances not more than two or
three Of the late rebel States if so many, will
have progressed to the election of their MEM
bers Of Congress by December next. To the
States and people concerned, whites and
blacks, the task of organizing system of
free labor and compensation, and the urgent
necessities Of their struggle for existence, take
precedence of all other questions. They re-
ceive, meantime, considerable material aid in
various ways from the protecting general
government and its military establishments,
and they may prefer to retain this material
assistance until they can more clearly than at
49, hi.
vincial condition. Moreover, the Northern
radical demand Of negro suffrage will be apt
to discourage the Southern loyalists charged
with this work Of reorganization, inasmuch as
they are not prepared, at days notice from
the abolition OF slavery, to yield to this North
without it any State constitution which they
Say adopt viii be rejected by Congress.
We would, however, still appeal TO those
classes of the Southern whites charged by the
President with the important duty Of reorgan-
hing their respective States on the new plat
form of loyalty and liberty, to get back into
Congress rs soon ~ possible To ibis end there
are no difficulties which they may not overcome,
il they will only broadly recognize the facts that
slavery IL dead. and that their liberated black
population, II moi appropriated by the South,
will be- used by The radicals of The North as
political balance OF power and to the preju-
dice of the South in every possible way. Let
the responsible Southern people themselves,
under such restrictions az they may deem expe-
dent yield the principle of negro suffrage, and
the, South from that concession will oaip a
political victory Of such Importance that IL may
shape line ruling party and policy OF the Union
for a. century to come. Otherwise, from the
allegation which Northern radical agitators
will be- sure 10 bring about between Southern
whites and blacks. politically and socially, the
most fearful consequences may follow 10 both
races.