The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-05-28
MONDAY, MAY 2s, 1866.
..Is the War to be Renewed q,


sion to the result of the failure of the Consti
tutional amendment for ming the basis of repre-.
sentstion on the number of voters. Mr.. OwBN
contends that the gross injustice which the
North would suffer under the old system would
sting the people to renew the war in order to
secure their rights. The Times, on the other
hand, denies that the North would have any
right to take aggressive measures in such case,
and declares that even if It had such right
there is no possibility of its using it. The ques
tlon Is one well worthy of consideration as the
fact that difference of opinion exists shows
that the temper of the Northern masses is at
least doubtful. It may be we'll for us to see to
what extent the injustice resulting from the de-
feat of the amendment will affect u.s. Accord
ing to the Constitutional compromise brought
about in 1887, the South was entitled TO
count three-ffths of the slaves in tha
apportonment of representation; by the freedom
of the slaves 1t is entitled to the additional two
ifths, as, under the old system whether the in
habitant was a voter or not he counted the same
in the enumeration. The population of the
South, according to the census, was 6,449, ,463
whiteI to $685. colored, or three.fths of the
whole number we're white, and two-ffths
colored. If no amendment be adopted, the re-
ftths of the colored, but for the whole number.
That is to say, the South will be entitled to
eiehty-nine instead of seventy.seven representa-
tives. Yet those men will be chosen by the
same class as was before the war entitled to
seventy-seven. In other words, the result Of the
compulsory emancipation of the blacks would
be to give their late owners twelve more repre-
sentatiVes; the fruits of defeated treason will be
a nf o1i a.
surdity such result presents to reflective
mind
Again, we have show that the whole popula-
tion is but three-ffths of the number couute | in
the enumeration, and as only three.ftths can
vote, 1t follows that three Southern votes are
equal to five Northern ones. That is to say,
that the influence of reconstructed traitor will
be nearly double that of returned soldier. Is
1t likely that the proud spirit of the North will
see its crushed beaten, defeated enemies thus
triumph over their conquerors? @
The allowance ofthe continuance ofthe present
law will enable the three-6fths to exclude tne
two-ffths of the black. On this point we quote
Mr.. OWENS words:-
ut so happens that the race numbering two.fNhs
OIL inc popualon of these States are with very few
exceptions loyal Ito the Union and friendly to tne
large majority, tnged with secession heresIes a d
unriendly to the Northern people. make this lat
tr statement not as an impuation, but only as as
sertnP TACT well known, and a result which, under
the cIrcum tances is very natural The sword con.
quers does not convince; and the vanquished are
not apt to love the vctors It will happen, also, in
case no provision touching suffrage enters into an
smenament 20 the CONSTITUTION, that the race num-
from voting the two-fiflhs"
This will practically be rewarding our enc.
mics and Furnishing our friends-another para
dox to excite the future historians wonder.
We have thus far only given plain statement
of facts; we have shown how the Rebellion will
be rewarded by twelve additional representa-
tlves; how the loyal portion of the South will be
eXcluded and how three Southern votes will
equal five Northern ones. We now come to the
question asked by the Times, and answered by
MIR. OWEN
is South Carolina the arch-conspirator, to be re.
warded Tor her comp Icity in the Rebellion and her
exclusion OF loyal men from the polls ny this, that
helea ter so long as she depTves her colored people
o. suhage every white voter within her boroers shall
nave LS0ice ana one-thtrd as much political power IN
IIesldenhal nd o her Federal elections, as a white
voter in New York or IN OHIO? 1t is not enough to
dec are that this would be unpara leled folly and
faRTant injustice. say that the permanent existence
u such feature OF sectional Inequality AN IMPos.
slBlIIIY. Let ALEXANDER H. STEPHENS and
Others who proclaim that is just, and imagine that
il possible know this that the North aO0uid reeI0
me WaT tomorrow rather than endare H."
We emphatically concur with Mr.. OWEN. The
NOA' 'h VIM hOe Stduu suCu luJubtlCej anu SQOulQ
the amendment be defeated, the South and the
South's friends Will be astonished at the
uprising ol our people. The Times holds that
the North wlll not act vigorously in the matter,
because OF the slight importance attached to
the issue. 1T may seem so now, but should the
time arrive when the fate of a Presidential
election rests on this inequality, aud the North
be about to lose its candidate because of the
injustice which it has sustained il would
soon be seen tnat the ,Conqucrors OF Southern
treason are not inclined to passvely submit
TO be subdued at the ballotbox by those who
fed before ouI bay yonets We, therefore, deem
the proposed amendment not only lust but
essential TO the continued peace Of the Union;
and, if the South but knew the temper of the
Northern mind, it would use its influence to Sc.
avoiding injustice. In regard to the question,
"'Will the war be renewedr we cannot better
express our NEGATIVE belief than by quoting the
concluding paragraph OF Mr.. DALE OWENS
letter.
"I revert 10 your ques ion, rs the var to be r.
newedp 1 answer, The acUIou of Congress aud
the people viii prevent so eat calamity. The
roofing out of an ntolerable injustice will be, you
justly remark 1t should be, accomp shed by peace
tui process Congry ss will propose TO the States
amendment embodYing an equitable adj IsTment OF
will ra ity 1t; II will become OF the Constitution
That Will ensure peac as lair Justice between differ
ent sections OF "a country always does"
--~a-------
Progress In Tennessee.
II is gratifying amid many instances of a con.