The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-09-17

Adams Express, in advance OF the malls.J
The Recent and Coming Elections.
The Prospects.
It is a historical axiom that revolu.
tons never go backwards. Its truth
has been affirmed in the great politi-
cal events of this country since
the adjournment of Congress, and
especiallyin the recent State elections
1t was reasonable to suppose that the
Jacobinical violence, recklessness and
ferocity of such political reformers as
Ben. Butler in the East, Senator
Chandler in the West, and Parson
Brownlow in the South, would have a
damaging effect upon their party when
brought to judgment before the peo-
pie; but it is strikingly apparent from
the result of the late elections in
Maine, that the popular mind is con-
trolled by larger questions, against
which the sayings of this or that ia
natical politician go for nothing. That
great body of the American people to
which we are indebted for the sup
preston of the most formidable re-
bellion in the history of mankind, are
tiaf securities for the future before
they pronounce the good work of the
restoration of the Onion complete
that. in shsrt, Southern reconstruc-
ton shall rest upon the solid founda-
ton of the Federal Constitution, re-
CARELESS of the disturbing forces Of
the Radicals, Copperheads, rebels,
ruffiahs or fanatics, North or Southsell
From the elections which have oc-
Cured since the constitutional amend
ment was adopted by Congress for the
reconstruction of the Southern States,
we are satisfied that the amendments
to become the basis of Southern res
toration-that it will carry and be
carried by all the Northern State elec-t
tons yet to come, and that with New
Jersey leading off, it will be ratified
by them all, and become part and
parcel of the supreme law of the lind.
Nor have we any fear of the conse-
quences. There is nothing, after all,
so very Objectionable in this amend
ment-nothing which President John
son has not, at one time or another,
recommended to some Southern State
or to Congress. and nothing upon
which there should have been a disa-
greement between the President and.
Congress. Let us for moment look
at this amendment again. 1t provides;
FrsGThat all persons born or,
naturalized in the United States are
citizens thereof and of the States in
which they reside, and on a footing of
equality in regard to their civil rights.
81 dos
Second-That the enumeration of
the people for representation in Con-
rgress shall be abridged in proportion
toithe abridgment of the right of suff-
rage-males above the age of twenty i
one years--in any State on account of
race or color.
Third-F5That large schedule of
persons, civil and military, eng aged in
the late rebellion, Shall be ineligible
to any federal office hereafter until |
absolved by two thirds vote of each |
House of Congress. iaIai'sl II
FourtlsTThat the national war debt |
shall be sacred, and that all rebel |
debts and obligations shall be utterly |
repudiated and held Illegal andE0oidll
Ftffh-That Congress shall have |
power to enforce the.progisions of this
article. taIaf1.@ =
This amendment is the sreconstruc-
ton plan and platform of Congress, ]
and there is no good reason, we say.
why it should not have been adopted |
also by the President, inasmuch as he
stands committed in some shape to all
its provisions. It is not the platform
of Thadeus Stevens, Sumner. or anv.
of the noisy Radicals of Congress. /
They can do nothing. 1t was adopted I
against their remonstrances and in
spite of their threats. It embodies I
substantially, in fact, the Presidents /
original programme, and if carried in
these coming October and November
we predict it will be,
from Massachusetts and New York /
westward-we trust that the Admin
istration, in Difference to the will of I
the people, will come back to it. Why |
not? Surely this amendment engraft-
ed upon the Constitution will be am
ply sufficient for the restoration of the
Union, internal peace, section har-
moHy and the security of the Govern
ment and the Treasury for many gem
to come, against all disturb
ing factions of either section. Parson
Brownlow, in leading of, with the
State of Tennessee for the ratification, 7
has shown that a good thing may be
done by a bad man and bad motive;
but that Tennessee should thus lead
off for this amendment is a very re-
markable and significant fact-that
New Jersey should next follow is
almost as strange; but from good or
bad designs. thus started, the amendHl
ment will surely go through. ? niezr 1s
The President $ quarrel and rupture
with Congress was an unfortunate
From recent events. South Z
and North, it is clear that it will prove
4 fatal blunder to his administration,
unless he abandons it as the issue be-