Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-10-05
VOLUME 80; NO II.

P'y " XIV 5csdilg % IsLI start III lAfc 1c
constructed States Under the Johnsoi
4 policy, the rebels monopolize power ant
| place even in communities where they ar
decidedly outnumbered. Their generals ar
/ governors and members elect Of Congress
| their colonels and majors FIJI the legislature
and oficiate as sherihs. Not only are tn
steadfastly loyal prescribed, but even stay
| at-home rebels have little chance in eompe.
tition with those who thought to subYer
| the Union. When this rebel monopoly o
| Office shall have been broken up, and loyalt,
to the Union shall have become general anC
hearty, Congress may remove the disability
and will doubtless make haste to do so.
We do not perceive that the Justice or fit
ness of the fourth section-prescribin thai
the Union public debt shall be prolnptIs
| met but that Of the rebel confederaey nev
/ er---is seriously contested.
There remains, then, but the second sec
ton, which prescribes in substance that po
lltlcal power in the Union shall henceforth
be based only on that portion of the people
OF each State who are deemed by It's eonsti-
tuition fit repositories Of such power In
other words: A Stale which chooses to hold
part of It's population in ignorance and vas
salage-powerles uneducated, unfranchis-
ed. shall not count that portion to balance
the educated, intelligent, enfranchised eiti-
zens Of other States
We do not purpose to argue the justice OF
this provision. As well argue the shape OF
a cube or the correctness of the multiplica-
ton table He who does not feel that this
Is simply and mildly just would not be per-
suaded though one rose from the dead to
convince him. That there are those among
us who would not have it ratified, sadly de-
monstrates that the good work of emancipa-
ton is not yet complete.
sBut, say some, this section is design
ed to coerce the South into according suf-
hage to her blacks Not so, we reply :;
but only to notify her ruling caste that we
will no longer bribe them to keep their
blacks in serfdom. An aristocracy rarely
surrenders its privileges, no matter how op-
pressive, from abstract devotion to justice
and right 1t must have cogent, palpable
reasons for 50 doing. We say, therefore, to
South Carolina, "Ifyou persistently restrict
all your power to your 900 whites, we
must insist that these no longer balance in
Congress and the choice Of President, 100
600 northern white freemen, but only 300,-
000 If you keep your blacks evermore in
serfdom, it must not be because we tempted
you so TO do and rewarded you for so doing
Fellow citizens of every State, but espe-
claIly Of those soon to hold elections; we en-
treat your earnest, constant heed to the
grave questions now at issLe Ii those who
wantonly plunged the Union into civil war
shall be allowed by you to dictate the terms
OF reconstruction, you wiz have heedlessly
soWn the bitter seed of future rebelions and
bloody strife. Already, you are threatened
with a recognition by the President of
sham Congress, made up of the factions
which recently coalesced at Philadelphia on
a-platfarrn of Iahnannierra-- f.nrsarrnss cnr1-
from the White House, and appealing to the
sword alone for support 20 .glarIDg an az
tempt at usurpation would be even more
criminal than absurd Happily, the people
By electing an overwhelming majority OF
loyal representatives, are rem
dering its initiation Impossible.
We cannot close without most deserved
tribute to the general fidelity wherewlth, IN
view of the President detection, the great
body of the people, and even of the Federal
Office holders, have stood fast by their con-
victions and their principles The boundiess
patronage of the Executive, though most
upscrupuiously welded against those to
whose votes he owes 1t, has corrupted very
few. either of those who shared or OF those
Not one of the twenty-five States which
voted to re-elect Abraham Lincoln has gwen
in its adhesion to the President's policy;
while NeE-JeTsey-the only free State that
voted against him-has added herself to
their number.
Our great war has taught impressively
the peril of injustice; and the lesson has
sunk deep into millions OF hearts. The
American people, chastened by suffering,
are wiser and nobler than they were, with q
quicker and more open ear Tor every gener-c
o1,s suggestion The fearful lessons Of
Memphis and New Orleans have not been
lost on them, as is proved by the result of
the recent elections in Vermont and Maine.
We cherish no shadow Of doubt that Penn
svlvania. Ohio. Indiana and Iowa first, then
New York, New-Jersey, Illinois, Michigan,
Wisconsin, Kansas and Minnesota will do
likewise. and that true restoration, q gem
uina abiding peace, win thus be secured to
our country-a peace that viii endure, be-
cause based on the everlasting foundations
of humanity. Justice and freedom. Yours,
MARCUS i. WARD, New Jersey, Chairman.
JOHN D. DEGREES, Indiana, Secretary.
HORACE GREELY, New York,
S. A. PURVIANCE, Pennsylvania,
WILLIAM CLAFFLIN, Massachusetts,
N. B. SMITHERS, Delaware,
H. w. HOFFMAN, Maryland,
H. II. STARKWEATHER, Connecticut,
r. b. C0WAN, Ohio,
JOHN B. CLARKE, New Hampshire,
SAMUEL F. HUSSEY, Maine,
ABRAHAM B. GARDNER, Vermont,
J. S. FOWLER, Tennessee
BURTON G. COOK, Illinois,
MARSH GIDDINGS, Michigan,
70. p. STUBBS, Iowa,
A. W, CAMPBELL, Nest Virginia.
JUDD, Wisconsin,
D. r.. G0ODL0E, North Carolina,
S. II. BOYD Missouri,
w. S. CORNING, Virginia,
THOMAS SIMPSON, Minnesota,
c. L. ROBINSON, Florida,
NEWTON EDMUNDS, Dakota.
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