The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-11-12
FForl he Detroit Post OF tJ,e IN.


With but few exceptions, the Southern
press has opposed the adoption of the
constitutional amendment. What effect
the result OF the elections of yesterday
Will have upon the public sentiment OF
the South, we shall soon know. But,
at present, the Southern papers are
controlled mainly by Southern politi-
clans, and the Southern politicians are
largely composed of that class who,
having committed perjury in addition
i to treason, are to be forever prohibited.
i by the constitutional amendment, from
holding office. Their oppositionis is only
natural, and to be expected. How
strong a sentiment there may be in the
South In favor of accepting these liberal
terms of reconstruction, we cannot we'll
conjecture, since 1t has very few, ifany.
public organs. But we think it safe to
say that, Mt the present moment, at
least, the South means to reject the
amendment. lift is accepted hereafter,
1t Will be because of a change of senti-
ment induced by the result of the cleo
tiOns.
So soon as we can learn with some
certainty whit the Southern sentiment
really is, under present circumstances,
we shall be prepared to discuss under!
standingly the further duty of Con-
gress and of the loyal people relative to
reconstruction. We are already satis-
fled, however-and we deemed It our
duty to say so, plainly-that Congress
ls not bound to wait long for the peo-
| pie of the South to make up their
minds, and that It ought not to wait
long. The terms offered are liberal,
generous, magnanfmous-the mildest
terms ever offered to people that have
sinned as the Southern people have.
They are less than we ought 70 have de-
manded; less than would have been
both just and merciful to enforce. The
NgHht tFNWr - Il
South TO hesitate, and haggle, and
equiyocate, and delay. The great work
OF restoration should be finished speedi-
~. Commerce, business of all kinds,
the public tranquility, every consider
alton of the public good, and political
economy, demand speedy, as we'll as
an enectual, settlement of the questions
that now agitate and disturb the Re-
public. Within reasonable time af-
ter Congress has again met. if the
Southern States have not consented to
reconstruction upon the terms offered
by the constitutional amendment, it
Will be proper to institute other. more
ehectual, and more speedy measures ar
reconstruction. II the Southern States
Will not come In under their present
forms OF organization, the nation need
not wait any longer upon their will !;
but Justice and the public good will de-
mand that each and every one of them
4GSt.9s lusO 6uEu u lOIul1 s0aB IL
will retoin the Union upon lust terms.
Weonly Intend to give fair warning,
at present, that the loyal North, and
/ particularly the radical West, will not
abide any more fOOling or equivOcating.
They are tired of delays, agitations, in
suits, riots, mobs, prosecutions of loyal.
men, and attempts to avoid the just re-
suits of the war. We want the Union
restored Immediately, upon a just basis.
| We want peace and tranquility re-es-
tablished at once. We want the fruits
of our victories in the field and at the
ballOt-bOx. The late rebels-leaders
and all-haye had time enough to make
mp their minds whether they will re-
construct their States, whether they
will really and hOnorably accept the
situation, whether they will restore the
Union, whether they win submit TO the
Will of the loyal people who preserved
the Union and conquered them. Let
them now answer yes or no, at once.
and that plainly. II they hesitate any
longer, there Is a way to reconstruct the
] Union without them. The loyal men