Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-06-13

dtnc attde tdcrimae
Next we are told that it conflicts with the
PRESIDENTS policy" What is the Presi-
dents policy? aver, first, that the Presi-
dent. when last authoritatively heard from,
was In favor of the principle embodied in
each OF the proposed amendments. OF the
nrst one, because he required the confeder-
ate States to adopt it; of the second one,
because he has repeatedly declared himself
In favor of making the number of voters the
OASIS OF representation. | aver, second,
that he does not consider the status of the
states such, that their assent to constitu-
honal amendments cannot be required as
conditions precedent to their restoration,
because he directed Mr.. Seward to inform
these States that their assent to the amend
ment proposed in the last Congress was sin
dlspenslble' to restoration and because he
has not himself dealt with them as if they
were States already in the Union. When
the confederacy fell they were in full opera
ton under governments originally organized
IN the Union. Governors, Legislatures,
judges, and full set of county and town.
ship officers were at work under constitu-
tlons once declared to be republican in form
by the United States. These governments
were regular unless you assent to the doc
trine of forfeiture, for they had political
continuity, what the church people call
apostolic succession. Yet they were des-
stroyed by the Presidents order and new
ones extemporized in their stead
From that time to this, in these States, the
breath of the President has been the law of
the land. Mr.. johnson went much further
in this direction than his predecessor. Mr..
Lincoln established governments, only in
States where he found none existing before,
but Mr.. johnson first destroyed existing
governments and then supplied their places
with those of his own creation. So, both
| by words, and actions which speak louder
than words, the President assents to every
principle involved in the congressional poll
cy of reconstruction. Indeed, the two poll
cies could not well conflict, because they re-
late to different subjects. The one creates
or revives State organizations, the other re-
news their Federal relations. When these
organizations were complete, and the States
ready to apply to Congress for a return to
the Union, the President policy was ended
Congress. So he directed his Secretary of
State to inform Governor Sharkey, July
"a, 1865, Governor Marvin, September II,
1865, and so he informed us in his annual
message. If he has changed his policy
since then it is hardly worth while to inquire
what it is now, for his principles are written
In water.
do not wish to disguise the fact that
while he approves the amendments and be-
lieves the power exists to require their adop-
tion asconditions OF return he thinks it un-
necessary to insist upon any terms addition
al to those imposed by himself 1t is in
this opinion that his old prosecutors, the de-
feated enemies of the Union, the foiled
plotters of his assassination, have taken
heart, and with cruel malice conspired with
northern sympathizers to pursue him with
their unrelenting friendship Their last
hope for the destruction of this country lies
in the seduction of its friends. War failed
them, they resort to diplomacy. The Presi-
dent was not much moved by their threats,
will he be seduced by their fattery? IF so,
let me assure those of our friends who are
disposed to suppress their own convictions
in hope to detain him and his patronage in
little select court party, that they might
as well exercise reasonable liberty OF opln-
ion. For if he ever determines to trust his
political future to anybody besides the great
earnest, triumphant Union organization
that elected him, he will have sense enough
to put them aside as mere nobodies in popu-
lar strength heartless friends and harmless
enemies. as courtiers always are, and push
straight for the southern brothered, rebel
led opponents of permanent and peaceful
Union In that event his children aud
friends may well rejoice that the past, at
least, is secure. His patriotic thoughts of
the last five years will still live, although
only to reprove him.
Again, it is said BY way of excuse, Why
not admit such Union men as Fowler,
Stokes, and Maynard. of TENNESSEE Be
cause it is not question about men. Shall
disloyal district, while it is still in dis
loyal spirit be declared entitled to represen-
tationwith onlyhalf as many represented peo-
pie in it as we require for district In the
North That is the question. Captain
Semmes ran up the Union flag when he
wished to decoy an unarrned merchant YES
sci under the power of his guns, but repla-
ced it with the pirate emblem when he had
secured his victim. The names of these
patriots are hung out to-day to secure rep
resentation to rebel constituency behind
them, but they will be hauled down at the
first election and rebels put upln their stead.
You may think you are only recognizing the
Union flag, but when it is too late you will
find yourselves along side the Alabama and
in the power of its pirate crew.
But it is said in reply, 'We viii not ad-
NIT disloyal men even if elected. How
can you help yourselves? lfa whole dele
CATION from South Carolina, for instance,
present themselves to the Clerk of the last
House and ask to be placed on the roll, prior
to organization, and tender him the certii-
cate Of their election signed by the Cover
nor and sealed with the great seal of that
most sovereign State, shall the Clerk say
which is loyal and which not2 ] suppose
not After the organization, in which all
have participated, and all have been quail
fed and taken their seats, will you get up
an inquisitorial committee to explore the Sc
cret recesses of their conseiences and oe
father confessors to their sins? No put