Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-10-27
THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMEND.
MENT.
The Position of the President-The
New York Press on Brown
ing's Letter.

ing's Letter.
New YORK, October 25.-All the morn
ing journals devote considerable COM
ment to the letter ofSecretary Browning,
making an elaborate argument against
the pending constitutional amendment
which is accepted as explaining the Pres
ident's views The Times remarks:
Ia many respects we apprehend that
the document will operate mischievously,
and that its publication is mistake that
will add to the difficulties of the Presi-
dents position it have any signif-
canoe, it is equivalent to a declaration
on his part, that notwithstanding the &C.
ton Of Congress and the determination
of the North, he intends to continue his
opposition to the amendment, and his
efforts to prevent its ratification. There
would be valid cause Of regret in the
mere knowledge of the circumstances
that the attitude and the aims of the Pres
ident have undergone no change. 1t was
bad enough to know that the irresistible
current of Northern opinion in favor of
the amendment had neither convinced
him of its necessity, nor taught him the
inutility Of his further resistance to it,
But the, latter becomes grievous
error when it is considered as cause
less, gratuitous expression of opinion by
the Executive on grave question of pol
icy, at time and in form which can
only serve to aggravate existing difficult
ties and intensity the bitterness which
unhappily characterizes their discussion.
Il. al ,ar@
make known the views entertained by
the President touching the amendment,
for these were long ago communicated to
Congress, together with the reasoning
upon which they are based. Nor has
aught occurred that could afford pre-
text for the revival Of an opposition
which recent events have shown TO be
bootless. The Presidents experience of
speech-making should have satisfied him
of the futility of his endeavors to stem
the popular current and win the con-
trolling elements to his side.
The reasonable presumption is that, in
asmuch as the President, by his persist
ent opposition to the settled resolves Of
the Northern people, rendered them
firmer than before, this manifesto, over
Mr. Brownings signature, will tend to
strengthen the position Of Congress and
to make more determined the demand
for the amendment as the ground work
Of a national compromise. The more
judicious friends of the President did
hope that the verdict Of the people, as
heard in the recent elections, would in
duce him to reconsider his decision and
to recommend the amendment to the
friendly consideration Of the Southern
States When the emptiness Of these
expectations became apparent, a desire
prevailed among many who had faith
fully stood by him that he should at any
rate waive his hostility to the measure
and allow the Issue to be fought out
without his interference one way or
another
The Herald says its appeals are
groundless Mr.. Browning says another
blow which the proposed amendment
aims at the government which our fathers
founded is in the change of the basis Of
representation. What are we TO under
stand by the government which our fa-
theirs founded2 1t ceased to exist with
the abolition of slavery. We cannot
plead the Constitution as it was. We
must take it as II is, and deal with things
not as we would have them, but as we
find them.
The World asks: Ought the South
to ratify this constitutional amend
ment2' and proceeds 70 say: "a point
of considerable interest TO the South, on
which the World can speak with more
authority than any other Northern jour
nal, is the position of the Northern Dem
ocracy in relation to the amendment
If the Democratic party Of the North
should commit itself 10 the amendment,
thereby making the North unanimous
in demanding its ratification, such
unanimity could not be disregarded by
the South in determining its own course.
Within the last few weeks we have,
with much pains and no small solicitude,
attempted to guage the sentiment Of the
party on this point The result is a con-
viction that the Northern Democracy will
never indorse the amendment as a con-
dition of restoration. If we might take
It upon US to advise our Southern fellow
citizens, we would counsel them TO reject
the proposed amendment, to yield quiet
10 1lA NOuctfetARAoA Ae"Nf ~
maintain order, to protect and encourage
the freedmen by equal laws, and to 40,
stain as carefully from the agitation OF
questions OF Federal politics as If they
had no concern in them.
Their only hope Of redress is in North
ern justice When il becomes evident
that they are determined 10 await this
with dignifed reserve, that they will nei-
Their humiliate themselves nor disturb the
peace Of the country, that they will fur
nish no food to agitation but quietly de-
mean themselves as law abiding citizens,
and patiently await the result, and that
nothing will shake their resolution not TO
be parties TO their further humiliation.
The Tribune says: The President and
Mr. Browning believe that it is not
ascertained thst We viii save the Gov