Daily Davenport Democrat. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1864-1874, 1866-12-24
stevens' Enab11ng Act-A sensS.
veA~

View.
The Cincinnati Commercial regards the
bill introduced by Nr. Stevens for the or
ganisatcn Of civil government in North
Carolina N IN enabling act-''tc enable the
State to resume its former relation as one q
constitutional States Of the Union This
work, the Commercial says, has already
been dore under the proclamation OF the
President, and thus puts the issue
"The vital question is whether Congress
can pronounce that work illegal which has
been done in conformity with the dictates
of the Executive. We question its power
so TO do quite as much as we question its
expediency. We infer that what it Is pro>
posed to do 10 The case Of North Carolina,
Congress will do in the case Of each Of the
reconst ructed Staes. II the government
now existing IN North Carolina is illegal,
and TO be set aside. those existing in South
Carolina, Florida, Georgia, Mississippi, Ala
b,ms. Louisiane, Texas and ASkansas are
equally illegal, and will have to be over
turned"
Leaving the power Of Congress to do this
discussion at another time, we put our OBJ
iectious to the proposed measure on the
erouud Of expectancy alone, and unhesitat-
in,lv say thst while it will produce infinite
confusion and strife, and arouse the worst
passions Of men, il will accomplish no good.
In too years the States Will b. in the hands
Of the very men who now control them
We have instructive lessons in what has
happeued in the States Of Mary
land. Tennessee and Missouri, where
the Union men, ct the end Of
che war, were in possession Of the whole ma
chinery Of the State government, where The
most vigorous laws were enacted 10 proven,
the late rebels from coming into power. and
where every effort has been made to keep
them under. What 10 the result Mary
land is practically in their hands. In Ten
nessee il is very doubtful whether the Unior
men will have either . Governor or major
ity Of the Legislature after the next election
In Missouri tho prospects are more favora-
ble-not, however, because Of the third sec
ton Of the constitution Of the State, and th
rigorous laws that harmonic with its spirit
but because a large emigration int tn
State has given the Union party strength
where alone il can long retain its predoH'f
nance, namely, at the ballot box.
Congress may 60 on and seconstruct a
much A il pleasee. So soon as the State
~. ...,,issed to civil authority, and militar.
rule is withdrawn, the majority Of the PEG
pie, whether admitted to the ballot or not
will make their power felt, and in such
way that the restrictions imposed will sooI
melt away, and the State Government fol
into their hands IS naturally and % inevita
bly, Is the apple, when ripe, falls to tn
ground by the force Of law operating con
stantly. and At las. triumphantly. The sim
pie thing to do is to compel these States I
recognize such amendments to the FEEDERS
Constitution o. will take from their Legisli
tures,' however constituted, the power I
work mischief. They can either accer
these amendments or 60 without represent
alton, and leave the representatives Of III
loyal States TO conduct national affairs f
them ~ veil - for Us. This. We believe
will be the Ultimate course Of Congress.
certainly seems TO b The part OF wisdol
and expediency."