Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1866-12-27
Congress and Reconstruction.

We had hoped, tnat congress our
ing the present session wsuld, as far
as possible, beth in debate and in
Legislation, ignore the whole subject
of reconstruction, assuming that the
verdict Of the people rendered at the
Fall elections is c definite and final
settlement Of that complicated ques-
ton. II we are ever to see the end
of eur national troubles and enjoy a
restored and harmonious unisn, it
will be by strict adherence to the
terms Of settlement embodied in the
Constitutional Amendment which has
been So fully ratified by the loyal ell
ement Of the country. Our only safe
ty lies in adhering to the amendment.
In the late canvas the people regard
ed the amendment as the real living
issue before them, and they sustain
ed Congress, as against the Presi-
dent, because they believed that the
amendment proposed by Congress,
embodied o Just and final settlement
OF the terms and conditions Of re-
construction. They regarded It as
anal and therefore Endorsed II, and
from their decision there can be and
shonId be no appeal. In view Of this
decision by the people, the North
has the right TO insist upon the &C
ceptance and adoption Of the amend
ment by the South, as condition
precedent 10 her return 70 represen-
tation in Congress, and on the other
hand the South has the right TO in
sist that no additional terms shall be
imposed upon her and that she shall
receive representation the moment
she ratifies the amendment. II IL
the true policy for the whsle country
TO view this as settled question.
Neither section can afford that the
question should again be opened up,
for the restoration Of peace and
union will be thereby indefinitely
postponed.
Congress would do well therefore
10 treat the whole subject with dig.
nifed silence, assuming that the peo.
pie have declared for the amendment
as the true and proper basis Of 70.
construction, and throwing upon the
South the responsibility Of longer
remaining unrepresented In Con.
grsss, by plainly declaring to her
that representation Is within her
reach by the adoption OF the amend.
ment. The moment the South be.
comes convinced that the action Of
the North upen the amendment "a
final, that moment they will adopt It.
And In no way can Congress so sOon
convince the South OF that fact as by
avoiding all discussion and legisla-
tisn upon the subject Of reeonstruo'
ten, deyotIng their whole time and
attention 10 the other important bu'
siness before It, sush as the ques-
lions ofTeVenue, tGKalisn, currency |
and our foreign relations, aud hay
ing perfected such legislation 40 may
be needed In these particulars, ad-
jonrn and return 10 their homes, "
such a course we're adopted, We
Should feel safe IN predicting that
before the assembling Of the FprHelh
Congress the amendment would bs
adopted by the requisite number Of
Htatas aHd became the supreme law
" lbe Land This pelnt secured, the
South might with safety he restored
70 heF practical relations with the
General GeVeHhmahtl and We shaHld
again sea peace aad quiet aRd uHioR
Feigalng w the land.
beekiag upea thls matter IN This
light We eahH0t but view with regret
the indications on lhe pafi NJ certain
extreme membeFa " abandon che
aiaehdmeaL aBd opea np the ques
llea aAeW ny ab0llahlne tho present
Stats Governments N lbe h0nlh ahd
recognising them up0h u territorial
basis We d9 b0t helleVg lhat lhe
present essdIllsn Of Chs South war
rants sueh n pf0eeedaal aud trust
lbat The a0fe msdeiale aha pmeli
eal Republican members will dls
eeahtehaRee 10 ffem the start The
amendment enefa \ safsr llae 6fp6l
ley hBd has besides ile seal N Cha
peeples approval upsB " Aud II
We dealfe its speedy adoption bF The
South, We ihhst sbew them that We
Intend " keep faith with them upon
The terms ef The amendment and ~.
sept tAslf adoption Of II aa a llaal, n
fesoeable disposal Of The whole
question
And We have confidence, lhal mod.
efatloa and esod sense will eonirsl
the ultimate action Of Congress IN
thls matter, A few impfaetIpable
and visionary men like Mr simmer
oan not be relied upon, fer they will
Sacrifices any ahd every thing 10 40.
cure their fayerlte dogma OF negro
suffrage. Bat these men do not by
any means form the controlling ele.