Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-05-09
Opinion of the Press.
from the Wash ington Republican

IS administration pOHcS COucSln pldtcS
the political as well as the military destruc-
ton of the rebellion by the representation
OF the late rebelious States through loyal
men in the councils of the nation; leaving
the question of debt to the intelligence Of
the people whose honor and interest are
bound within it !; the discrepancy of the
representation basis to be adjusted by con-
stitutional procedure the preferable meth
cd being to substitute electors for popula-
ton in the basis hereafter; the matter of
suffrage to be disposed of in the accustomed
American way by the separate States and
the question OF a humane and Christian peo-
pie whose fame 1t has been to be as magnanl-
nous In peace as they were brave IN war.
This method of settlement has had, and
will retain our most ardent approval. Sub
NIT it to-day to the entire voting population
of the land and at least three millions Of
ballots would be recorded for it. Against
/ the radical or Congressional policy, of
prohibiting the fundamenta' right Of repre-
sentation 10 States, either on the grounds
of penalty for misleeds, to purchase some
additional advantage on the condition of
recognition, or to setain political power by
| the prolongation of restoration, we are,
''now, henceforth and forever unrelenting-
| y opposed. But the restoration of the u
Mon, by the recognition Of all the States
within it, aud the Representation Of the
Southern people, is not final settlement
of our difficulties. There still remains
the debt, the negro and the x-traitor
From the Cincinnati Commercially
As a means of restoration and pachcation,
it is not decidedly petinent or clearly practi-
cable 1t may do better for party plat
form than Sumner programme developed
on the first day OF the session, but there is
no happy stroke of statecrait in it, and it
will be taken by the country as a lame re-
| suit of five months strenuous effort. 1t is
wanting in the essentials OF clear, simple
and conclusive policy, and does not meet
the demand of the country, for guarantees
of peace, liberty, credit and Union.
From the Chicago Republican,
These measures are wise, just, moderate,
and efficient All patriotic citizens will ap-
prove them. Some will feel that they do
not go far enough; but these e viii perceive
that they are as complete and thorough as
the present state of the public mind would
justify. If they Go not contain everything
that all might desire, they certainly contain
nothing to which any can reasonably object
They give no encouras ement to the spirit of
rebellion. They make treason odious, and
give due prominence to faithful Union men,
while there Is in them no spirit of undue Sc
verify toward the mass of the misguided
people Of the South. The Committee has
well employed its labors, and we do not
doubt that Its policy of restoration will be
universally approved and adopted.
From the National Intelligencer
Now, as to the mockery of this scheme
of Mr.. Stevens to effect restoration of rep
resentation in Congress La the first place,
the requirements are such that not three
fourths-probably not half-of the States
will ratify these scandalous propositions of
amendment of the fundamental law That
Mr.. Stevens expects this can hardly be
doubted, since that by the proposed amend
ment, as We understand it, several Northern
States will lose in the number of their rep
resentation by the exclusion of foreigners
and others from the basis of representation
OF course some of these States will not do
aught to abridge :heir power in Congress
for the sake of elevating the negro of the
South to the hurt of the whites there We
are speaking of the effect of things, not up
on their abstract merits. And if the reaui-
site three-fourth would ratify them, they
cannot do so for long period, since that
the several Legislatures will not soon be in
regular session. Besides, who can say that
future Radical Congress, acting in the bit
terncss of spirit exercised by the present