Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-05-24
8radfurd geporter.
Towanda, Thursday, May "a, 1886.
THK RECONSTRUCTION REPORT.


construction, and the ratification of the vi
tai feature Of tho report by the decisive
vote of the House, present the great prob
lem Of restoration to the country in tan
the purpose of Congress can be misrepre-
sented by those who seek to serve the
cause of traitors. After patiently investi-
eating the condition of the rebelious
States-taking the testimony of leading
rebels and loyalists in those States, the
committee united every Republican on the
amendments OF the constitution and the
bills reported, and they declare to the ma
tion and to the world, in substance if not
in form, the position of the Union party on
the restoration of the rebel States to fellow
ship.
There are many Union men who do not
fully coincide with the entire report of the
committee. Some would liberalize the
third amendment and thus leave treason
practically without a penalty others
would make the disfranchisement cease
only with the death of those who had
waged war against the government, and
others would demand that the loyal men of
the South, without regard to color or con-
dition. be clothed with the ballot as
measure of justice alike to themselves and
to the country. But while there is great
diversity of opinion as to the details of the
proper policy of reconstruction, we believe
that the Union men will unite cordially
and earnestly in supporting any measure
that may be accepted by the Union men of
Congress. What the loyal men of the ma
tion most desire lis to have some definite
policy, not wholly dictated by traitors, that
can be made the fixed and settled policy of
the government. Considering that the Pres
ident seems to have no higher ambition
than to clothe treason with honors and pow
er, it is well for the Union party to look to
practical results and not sacrifice all by re-
fusing what can be attained. 1t is mani
fest that any penalty for treason and any
security against renewed discoId and war,
must be achieved over the head and in de-
fance Of the power and patronage of the
President, who reached his position by the
sufrages of the millions of loyal people
whose convictions he now so fercely an
tagonizes, and Congress must therefore
calculate we'll its position and make the
future safe by securing all that the present
can give.
We have long since yielded confscaton
and the punishment criminally of the lea
de, of the rebellion. They marked their
desolated pathway Of power by the most
vigorous confiscaton, and punished unto
death the avowal Of loyal sentiments in
the dominions of treason, but with an Exc
cutive who is clearly committed to save
them harmless i'll person and property, it
is impracticable. The result is that loyal
men must bear the crushing debt created
by treason, and the men o, in vic. alton
of | accepted rules Of war md every die
tate of humanity, deliberately murdered
thousands Union heroes Ill prison pens
are now, with the President, attempting to
dictate to the government that conquered
them, the terms ON which they will consent
to fill our Legislative halls again. In thit
work thu apostate johnson and the traitors
who are hinging their insolence into the
face of the nation under the protection Of
the President, have the cordial sympathy
and hearty cooperation of the entire Demo
cratic party, and its success will be tn
success of treason and of the President in
the pending struggle.
We trust that the Senate will take speedy
action on the report of the committee I'm
til Con ress shall present to the country
with it's high sanction, a practical soluti I
of the great question, the power of treason
and its sympathizers will be potent to EN-
barrass the government and divide the peo
ple But when both branches of Congress
shall declare upon what terms traitors shal
be restored to the rights of property anc
citizenship, and the appeal is made to the
people to sustain that action, the contes
will be we'll nigh won. 1t cannot be doubt
ed that every loyal State would promptly
call it's Legislature and ratify any amend
ment presented by Congress as essential tx
the safety of the government, and with sucl
an expression in favor of Congress, treason
would be glad to yield rather than have
the aroused resentment of the people whose
forbearance has already been severely tes
ted. Let the country have the amendment
speedily, and the Union men will be fully
prepared for the struggle. 1t will be des
perate but dessive, md it will be the las
great gtruggle Of traitors to subvert the
government they failed to destroy by caus
less . ar
The UNION SYArs CENTRAL CogyIrfEs--
This committee met last week at the Ma
tional Union Club House, Philadelphia
We learn from the Press that a large ma
jority Of the members were present Col
Frank Jordan, chairman, presided, and L
Fl. Rauch, Esq, Of Berks county, was ap
pointed secretary pro tenn. The usual sub
committees were appointed, and arrange