The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-26
Ought the South to RotIfyy
From the World.

From the WOrtd.
The Times Monday morning, and the Post
the same evening, joined the Heraid IN trying
10 persuade the Southern States to ratfy the
pending Constitutional amendment. This advice
IS merely means of recommending the papers
which give it TO the Northern Republicans. As
addressed to the South it is perfectly idle unless
there is some reason TO suppose the advice will
be accepted. 1t is as certain as anything IN the
mmediat te future that it will be rejected. This
trio of Republican journals may find no difficulty
absolying themselves from any further allie
eience to the President; but none of them can
be ignorant that their warm Endorsement Of the
chief measure OF Congress is in open conflict
with the views of Mr.. Johnson
When the amendment had passed, it was not
sent to the President for his approval because
II 1t had been, it would have been returned with
his veto But Congress unWittingly gave him
an opportunity to communicate to them his
dislike of the amendment, by passing q resou.
ton requesting that it should be Immediately
communicated to the executives OF the several
States. They did not suppose the resolution
would elicit a reply; but in this they were mis-
taken. The President availed himself OF the
occasion to send message COndemning the
amendment. The Times, therefore, after hav-
ing turned AGAINST the Albany Convention, has
speedily arrayed itself in opposition to Pres-
dent johnson, and uses its columns to eulogize
the pet project Of Congress.
This trio of Republican journals unite in
pTdlSllE Nne diTleSS ana lQSLlCG OF the amend
ment. This Is question which we will not
discuss. Whether the amendment is fair or not
is a question which each State whose ratiGca-
ton is asked has right to determine for itself.
the North has no reason to object TO it If the
South chooses TO ratfy, for 1t ADDS to the weight
OF the North in Congress. II the South chooses
to make voluntary surrender OF part OF the
Representatives to which IL is entitled by the
| Constitution, nobody can dispute its right to do
so. But, on the other hand, II it choo es to hold
on, with firm gripe, to all the Constitution
! gives IT. its freedom OF action is as perfect and
! as unquestionable as ifit shoaid choose to adopt
| the other course,
The chief areument addressed TO the South
| by its volunteer advisers is tacit admission
that the South considers the amendment neither
falr nor just. The South IS told that It can
never gain readmisson into Congress until 1t
ratihes the amendment, and that since the sur
render of part of its representatives will be
eXtoTted, II it be not voluntarily conceded, the
South had better make a virtue OF necessity and
submit with GOOD grace. This iS not n KIND
OF argument which would be submitted 20 com
munities likely to be convinced OF the fairness
OF the amendment.
The voting population of the South almost
unanimously consider the amendment UNJUST
III they should ever consent TO ratiy II, " would
be only on calculation of interest, nitor nbnn
donlng all hope OF Justice. II Is only IN this
view that 1t Is worth while TO discuss tho hlseli
J hoCd OF their ratifying the amendment, The
power OF the south In Congress, whether wit II
iull OF with curtaled representation, is nothing
! without large Northern support. II the temper
OF the North rs such as to deny the South the
q nope OF such support altogether, what would
!, the South gain by raiihoationY II the North
{ were so divided that the admission OF the South
. with reduced representation would give that
| section the balance OF power, Is would be d
gamer by submission, But 80 long as the NORTH