Daily union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1865-1866, 1866-10-25
THURSDAY. OCTORER 2s. Isee.
TIE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT
PROPOSITION OF PAINS. PENAL
TIES, AND NOT OF RErOSE.
From The Charleston Courier

- AAOAN "A - n W IN - ltEE-N1
FROPOsITTON OF PAINS. PENAI
TIES, AND NOT OF REPOsE.
From the Charleston oourier.l
Inc Radical leaders exhibit the resolui
purpose Of not admitting the Soutber
,o1a1es 70 restoration, or their people to reE
resentatlon, upon any terms until after M
ensuing Presidential election.
Inc design is TO perpetuate their powel
IN order to change and mould the Constitu
party. '-'''
And yet at the same time, they woul,
nave these States accept the constitutions
amendment.
ii adopted, restoration would be as far OF
as ever. Objectionable in itself on IN,
ground of principle and policy. it bears nc
promise Of peace. il is. indeed. the Trojan
horse-within its provisions are concealed
the utter overthrow Of the Constitution az Il
Is, and su6jection Of these Commonwealth,
70 yoke and brand imposed by their own
1t Is not prohered in the interests of re-
pose. 1t Is intended for agitation, and &C.
signed as a penalty. II can claim no ele-
ment Of justice, harmony or TRANQUILITY. II
wlll afford no remedy for existing evils. nor
does 1t breath any assurance Of future peace
and concord.
The South has fully accepted every issue
decided by thewar. To the integrity Of the
territorial limits Of the country. and 10 the
complete freedom Of the late slave. she has
rendered her solemn and inevitable consent.
She is no longer at issue with the Govern
ment Of the United States. Neither by word
or act is the Union, or arc the laws in any
danger from her people. OF the one she Is
as etiectually part as the assent Of her peo-
pie can make her. To the ether there is a
cordial and cheerful allegiance.
So far as the South can, therefore, restora-
ton Is accomplished. All that she asks is
that the Constitution may have free course
from ocean to ocean, and from the Kennebec
to the Rio Grande. In its benefits, as in its
obligations, now that hostilities have ceased.
there should be no distinction Of sections.
But II Is demanded, in addition 10 an ac
acknowledgement Of the United States, as her
country and a recognition Of the equal civil
rights Of all, irr jective Of race or color.
that In the stead Of the Constitution should
be placed the tenets ofa party. II is openly
proclaimed that the Union is not TO be re-
stored with the Constitution. Ii is not dis
guised that the fundamental law is sought
TO be entirely changed and a new character
Of government imposed.
First the Monarchy, then the Republic.
and then Empire This is the record of
the past. We desire il shall not find its
contamination in our future. We desire to
preserve the Republic The moment any
party succeeds in incorporating into the
written charter Of right, and common com
pact Of protection, and privilege, its plat
form based upon the temporary passions Of
the hour, the fall Of free government Is
sealed.
1t is for the welfare Of the North, and for
the common happiness, hat it should also
abide by the decision of events. Because it
has the power it should not revolutionize
the Government. Ii may find that while il
has destroyed the South il has pulled down
the edihce Of a well ordered freedom, and
perished itself amid its ruins.
Peace is to-day within the power Of the
North. 1t has but to speak the word, and it
is accomplished. II is all idle to say there
is danger of the loss Of its political power
If the South is admitted TO representation.
Even if this we're so, it would be an unwOr-
thy motive for exclusion, and without war
rant Of right But even this pretext cannot
be alleged, for its majority in the House of
Representatives alone is seventy-two az
The path OF repose does not lie in enact
ments for the citizens Of these Common
woalths, as IL they were hostile people
Nor is it 10 be found in so-called constitu-
tional amendments, which might more APP
propriately be termed Bills of pains, penal
ties, disfra nchisement and arrangement
The past cannot be buried if it is TO be
kept alive and descend TO posterity, in en-
actments incorporated into the organic law
The people Of these States are asked 10 re-
cord with their own hands, and 10 declare
by their own votes, that their citizens who
may have, either as members of Congress,
or as officers Of the United States, or as
members Of the State Legislature, or as Ex-
ecutive or judicial officers in their respective
Commonwealths, at previous periods Of their
lives taken the oath TO support the COnstitu
tiun Of the United States, and then partici-
pated with their fellow-citzens in the recent
struggle are violators of their oaths, and
therefore 10 be excluded from Office and 10
be publicly avowed unworthy TO occupy any
position under either their State or the Fed
eral Government The individual, il is
true, may be released from this penalty for
his thus acknowledged treason, by two
thirds vote Of Congress, but his conduct is
none the less stamped rs infamous, and as
rendering him justly unworthy Of public
confidence. He is declared iitly excluded
from Office, because he followed the fortunes
of his State And this declaration is to DO
incorporated for all time in the organic law.
Such an amendment TO the Constitution is
not in the interests Of restoration. 1t stands
in direct opposition to it.
We are anxious for restoration, but it is
for such a restoration, as while it accepts in
good faith and very conscience every issue
uf the struggle will make us all citizens Of
one common country, united in rights, IN
sentiment and interest.
The test oaths, disfranohisement, disGuali-
fcation, and penalties, whether in the shape
Of constitutional amendments, or otherwise,
cannot bring repose. The history Of ireland,
to 20 no further back, illustrates this. These
have never reunited people in the past.
They never can in the future.