The Greene County Republican. [volume] (Waynesburg, Pa.) 185?-1867, 1866-07-11
THE GREAT SETTLEMENT.

THE GREAT SETTLEMENT.
Governor Curtin's proposition to have
extra sessions OF all the loyal State
Legislatures called to ratfy the conslitu-
tional amendment appears to have failed,
The Executives Of New Jersey, Ohio
and New York are SAID to have declined
to do as suggested, and opposition has
also come from other quarters. We
sincerely regret this, as we believe that
the whole matter could be settled, and
the loyal portion of the southern delega.
tions admitted to Congress before the
close OF tho summer, whereby the agita>
tion would be ended, and tranquility
be restored to the whole country. Such
was Governor Curtin's aim in making
proposition, and so understanding it we
at once lndorsed it. But Democratic
politicians promptly stepped forward to
oppose and denounce it. They alleged
that it was mere effort to avoid leaving
the amendment to stand the test of the
ensuing elections, and they were clio.
quent on the point that the present leg
islatures were not chosen with any
reference TO this issue
Thus the position of parties in the
pending campaign is settled The Re.
pnbllcans go before the people in favor
of definite and righteous immediate
adjustment Of our domestic troubles -
The Democrats want no adjustment -
They expect to cultivate southern Sec
tionalism as an available basis of party
strength, Thes principles involved in
the constitutional amendment arc Just
those upon which we can most confdon.
tly appeal to the people, and had they
been removed from contest by the inns
mediate ratification of the amendment,
rs we proposed, it would have been a
party sacrifice for the sake OF public
peace and prosperity. Now that this is
prevented, mainly through the clamor of
those who have Zone most to prevent
Congress from arriving at any settle-
ment at all, we 60 into the canvass with
the assuranc of victory from the outset.
We therefore ask our friends every -
where to note that we stand, as a.partv,
pledged to the principles Of the cons,i-
tutional amendment, which are briefly
these;
l. All persons born or naturalized in
the United States, and subject to the
jurisdiction thereof, are citizens Of the
United States, and ofthe States wherein
they reside,
2, No State shall make or enforce any
law which shall abridgc the privileges or
lmmunities Of citizens of the United
States, nor shall any State deprive any
persons of lite, liberty, property with
out due process of law, nor deny to any
person within its jurisdiction the equal
protection of the laws.
3. Representation in Congress shall
be appointed to the population entrusted
with political rights,
4. No perjured rebel who has violated
an oath as a member of Congress, or as
a national officer, shall be eligible again
to any such Office,
s. The natl onal war debt shall never
he repudiated.
6. The rebel war debts shall never be
assumed or paid.
7. No compensation shall bo paid for
the freed slaves.
s. No rebel war claim shall be paid.
1t is against there principles we now
find the Democrats marshaling in every
loyal State. They are issues which ap,
peal to the rights, the interests and the
pockets of every loyal man in the repub,
lie. They are indispensably necessary
to the welfare of the country, and should
they be ignored we shall all be again at
sea in wild tempest of agitation. The
rebels are now silent and subjugated -
But let their allies succeed in defeating
these propositions and the enemies of
domestic peace and civil tights will
once more come out boldly with all
their ambitious schemes. We do not
fear the decision soon to be made. But
we desire the people everywhere to
understand tho matter plainly. These
are the great issues, No man must VOW
be allowed to dodge them. Those who
are not for them all are against them all.
They stand together and address the
reason, the common sense, the patriotism
of all loyal men. Let this amendment
be adopted, and nationality will be estab>
llshed throughout tho republic upon nm
immutable ard dimMovable basis. NORTH
american.
------------
Ia. L.. 4 a.. !, -