New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-06-09
RECONSTRUCTION.
Confined from First Page.

Confined from First Page.
laws for their conqueror Wheherconquered Rebels may
change their theaer Of operations from the bae-eds,
where they defeated and Oyethrown, 10 the halls Of
Congress- and their representatives. sczeupon the Govern
ment, which they fought to destroy Whether the Na
ona Treasury the army of the nation, ITS navy ITS forts
and arsenas It's whole civil administration, It's credit us
pensioners its widows and orphans of those who peshcd
in the war; the public honor peace and safety shall al
be turned 10 the keeping OF It's recent enemies WIN
ont DELAY and without requiring such conditions as IN the
opinion of Congress the security Of the country ana ITS
Institutions may demandi
Serenh; The history of mankind exhibits no example
of such madness and folly. The instinct of seipreser
walton protests against H. The surrender by Gen. Grant
to Lee, and by Sherman 10 johnston would have been
disasters of less magnitude for armies could have
been raised, battles fought, and the Government saved
The antcoercye policy under pretext Of avoiding blood
she'd allowed the Rebellion TO take form and gather force
but II would be surpassed IN lniamy by the matchess
wckedness that would surrender the halls OF Congress to
those 50 recently in rebellion until proper precautions
shall have been taken to secure the National ah aud the
National safety.
EipL. As has been shown in this report aud in the evil
dencc submitted proof has been afforded TO Congress
of constituency in any one OF the socaed Confederate
States unless except the State Of Tennessee, quaed
to elect Senators and Representatives in Congress No
State constitution amendment to STATE constitution
has had the sanction Of the people. All the so-oaed egs
atOn OF state conventions and Legislatures mas Deen a
ermitary dication. II the President mag at his Will
aud under his authority, whether as military com
mander chief Executive qualify persons to appoint
Senators and elect Representatives and empower Others 10
organization of a legislative department. The conshtu-
onal form of Government is thereby practically destroyed
and its powers absorbed in the Executive. And while
your Committee do not for moment imputc to the Pri
dent any such design, but eheruy cOncede TO him the
most patriotic motives, they cannot but look with alarm
upon precedent faugh with danger to the Republic.
Ninth The necessity Of providing adequate safeguards
for the future before restoring the nsurcconary States
to participation in the direction ofpubc affairs Is appa-
rent from the bitter hostility TO the Government and peo-
pie Of the United States yet existing throughout the con
quered territory, proved nc0ntcsaby by the tesu-
mOny of many witnesses and undsputed facts.
Tenth The conclusion Of your Committee, therefore,
is that the so-caled Confederate States not at present
entitled to representation in the Congress Of the United
States; that before allowing such representation adequate
security for future peace and safety should be required
that this only be found IN such changes OF The organic
law as hall determine the civil rights and privileges OF all
citizens in all parts Of the Republic, shall place repre-
senation equitable basis, shall fix stigma upon
treason and protect the loyal people against future claims
for the expenses incurred in support OF rebellion and for
manumtted slaves together with express grant in Con-
gress 10 enforce these provisions TO this end they oder
Joint resolution for amending the Constitution, aud the
two several bills designed 10 carry the same into eject be-
fore referred to.
Before closing this report your Committee beg leave to
state that the sieChc Recommendations submitted ny
them the result of ua concession after long and
careful comparison of conflicting opinions Upon ques-
ton of such magnitude, infinitely important as Is ~ the
future of the Republic II not to be expected that all
should think alike. Sensible Of the imperec0ns Of the
,cbemc, your Committee submit II 10 Congress as the
best they could agree upon the hope that its mperec
tons may be cured and its deficiencies supplied by lcgsa
i've wisdom and that when finally adopted 1t may tend 20
restore peace aud harmony the whole country and TO
place Republican institutions more stable founda-
ton.