The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-10-09

all point the other way. Not only is there no
reason for expecting more conciltatory Con-
press but there are many reasons for expecting
a Congress more inhexible In its demands than
that of which Governor Sharkey complains.
Hopes and wishes are of no avail in the case.
The predictions of Democratic newspapers are
not worth the paper upon which they are printed.
The current OF public feeling in the North runs
but IN one direction, and that Is towards the
amendment as the sine qua non OF restoration.
The unanimlty of the people upon the questl0n
has had but one parallel, and that was the
unanimity with which they sustained the war
for the Union.
Their determination 10 prevent disruption ts
only equalled by their resolve that the stipulated
guarantees shall be exacted before restoring the
lately seeded States 10 their former position.
There is danger, too, that If these guarantees
be not now granted, yet more unpaatable con-
cessions may be demanded. 0bstinacy on the
part OF the South will beget obstinacy on the
part of the North. refusal TO yield TO the ex-
tent now required Is calculated to provoke; and
the governing power thus de6ed, may enforce
claims which it has not yet preferred We say
this not by way of menace, but to indicate the
possible tendency OF events, If the South doggedly
decline to accept the amendment The refusal
itself may be not unnaturally interpreted as
evidence of the want of harmony between the
sections, and tie consequent necessity of more
stringent measures to assure to the Union the
fruits of the war.
Nor should it be forgotten that in brief period
the North win be able to impart constitutional
validity to the amendment whether the South
ratify IL or not Territories now awaiting adj
mission will doubtless be invested with the
dignity of States in tie coming winter; other
States may be formed out of States where de-
mand for division already exists; and by this
perfectly constitutional process the power of
amending the Constitution may be secured, de-
spite the naCtion or hostility of the South.
Against such q result vetoes viii afford no pro-
lection, since nothing is more certain than that
any interpositlon by the Executive TO stay the
Will of the majority In Congress will hencefor-
ward be Intellectual. There will hereafter be no
difficulty in obtaining two-thirds' votes when
wanted to give effect 10 the policy of Congress.
The popular verdict this autumn will do more
chan make the amendment a certainty; it will
render Congress invulnerable in any further
conflict with the President upon matters grow
ing out Of legislative action.
We write OF what is and what will be rather
than OF things as we would have them Our
own opinion as to the injustice and Improperly
OF eXacting the ratification of the amendment
as condition OF admission remains unchanged,
while we have seen no argument that shakes
our approval of the amendment itself as intrn-
sically moderate, eXpedient, and just. The
South may properly complain of a requirement
not already warranted by the Constitution; but,
after all, should this feeling induce a summary
rejection of an overture the most friendly that
will ever be made? Pride is well in its way
but not as the master of prudence. Aud the
than it can possibly gain by delay and opposi-
tion. Neither will alter the result, but either
may weaken the hands of those in the 1rth
who are disposed to fberalty, and may in the
same proportion strengthen those from whom
the South has everything to fear 1t is not
often that much is gained by kicking against
tbs pricks.