American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-10-17
No MISUNDERSTANDING.

the people, by some of our speakers
For instance. we heard it assumed that
Congress had no more power over the
question. of suherage in the Southern
States, than it had on the same subject in
Pennsylvania. Having had some differ
ence with some oil our friends on the sub
jects connected with the recons true. ion
question, during the last winter and Sum
mer, we had no desire to renew the con-
troversy during the canvass, nor do we
wish now to challenge controversy nev
ertheless we deem it best to dissent from
the position that Congress has exhausted
its power in the production of the con-
stitutional amendment Far, otherwise
The Amendment was passed under.
conviction that its adoption was ncccssa-
ry, as a measure of caution, of safety
And we have right to suppose that, had
it been accepted by the President as
compromise which he had induced them
to believe would have been the case they
would then have made arrangements to
admit the toyai members as soon as pos
sible. Indeed, a bill was reported pro-
viding that as soon as any State should
adopt the amendment her lQgol represen-
tatives should be admitted to their seats.
But it is worthy Of remark that, as soon
as Congress found that the President had
made up his mind to oppose the amend
mont they declined to pass the bill leav-
ing the whole matter open. Should the
amendment be accepted by the South, as
it will be adopted by the North, and
should the Southern people manifest
loyal feeling and an ability and detcrmi-
nation to maintain loyal State govern
ments, there is no doubt but that Con-
gress will meet that improved state of
feeling and security by liberal action on
their part But should tho reverse be
the casc-should the South reject the
Constitutional Amendment-repeat their
Memphis and New Orleans riots and in
every other way by which the disposition
and capabilities of people are mani
fested-show to the world their entire
unftncss for self governmet, then, if we
mistake not, Congress stands ready, back
ed now, as it is, by the overwhelming
voice of the loyal people, to apply what
ever measures arc deemed necessary to
secure peace, security and liberty through
out the length and breadth of the land ;
even to impartial suferage backed up by
confscatIon, or, if necessary, ertermina-
ton
But our Conservative friends tell us
that Congress has no right to prescribe
the qualifications of voters in Pennsyl-
vana. And from this they ask US to
infer that it has no right 10 interfere with
this question in Virginia or South, Car
DINA. This mode of reasoning they get
from the President himself and this,
too in the face of the fact that he did
himself prescribe the qualifications Of
electors in all the Southern States. Not
only SO, but he prescribed other condi.
tions entirely inconsistent with the SOW
ereign attributes which the Conservatives
would fain have US recognize rs 'continu-
Gus in these rebel communities.
1t is not as sovereign States in the
Union, under the Constitution, that Con-
gress assumes to treat these States, but
az communities, which, at the end of q
four years war. were found without all
civil government, having been reduced
to sullen obedience by the prowess of oul
arms, and entitled to no rights save those
owing to the conquered oy the conquorer
Apart from the President being wrong
in theory, he is wrong in hedrt 1t il
high time that all those wh0 have any
sympathy for the Republican party
ahould abandon all thoughts of reconsil
iation with the President, and come
squarely forward to the Republican stand
point. There is no middle ground will
the people. They not only believe in thu
Congressional plan Demonstration, bu
have entire confidence in that politica
body. 1t would be much easier to in
duce them to believe that the accidental
Executive was hanging on the very verg'
of the government than that the law-ma
king depart nent of the government wa
thus loosely located.
Should the President take warning
even at this late day, from the voice o
the people, as now being recorded SO in
delibly, Congress will be but too willing
to meet him half way, or even more
But should he, on the contrary, as is mos
likely, continue his acts of assumption
Congress will not hesitate to claim al
the rights and exercise all the powers o
the conquorer, so far at least, as may b,