Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-11-16
THE FUTURE OF TIE SOUTH

Throughout the history of American politics
so notable an instance of perfidy as that of the
Democratic party leaders IN their conduct to-
wards the South in the late elections, is no.
where ON record. They went into the Phila-
delphia National Union Convention with
pledges 20 do all in their power to save the
South from the tender mercies OF the extreme
Radical leaders. In subsequently, keeping
Clymer in the field in Pennsylvania, aud fore
ing DIX out Of the way in New York in favor
of Hoffman, they threw away both those States
In the vain hope of re- tablish hing themselves
in power in the Government. They took no
heed. whatever, of the lessons Of pre- ious cleo
lions, which told most forcibIy that the MAORI
" Of the people Of the States that had preserved
the Union by force OF arms. would not consent
to trust again in power those at the North who
had done their best TO make the rebellion a
success, and those at the South who had been
its ortginators and engineers. The upshot of
theii selfish policy Is, that they have rendered
the President utterly powerless to stand be-
tween the South and the schemes of the ex-
IRENE Radical leaders. Fortunately it IS vet
in the power of the South TO depose those
o. leaders from the control OF the policy of
the Republican party in Congress Her
acceptance OF the proposed Constitution
81 Amendment will accomplish that OBJ.
jeet beyond per adventure. and in that
way only ean il be done The late cleo
tons mean tnat the North insists on the adop-
zion of the proposed amendment of the Consul
tuition as the condition precedent to the resto.
ration OF the South to Congressional rights aud
privileges. 1t is worse than folly for the South
TO attempt to cheat itself into the belief that i,
can bring about its restoration 20 full par,,ci
patton in the Government upon easier terms
than the adoption Of thar amendment and thu
entire exclusion OF the classes Of southerners
from participation in the conduct Of the Gen
eral Government. who cannot take the iron
clad oath. The danger is in delay on the mart
of the South in accepting these realities. Tbes,
easy terms are not those of the extreme rad
icals. but OF the moderate men of the North
who heartily sustained the Government in
putting down the rebellion. Though no be-
lever in the abstract right of Congress TO nx
terms 20 the readmission Of the South TO Oon
sress, we see no good that can possibly come
TO the lately rebellious States in longer strug.
Cling against the power Of the North to do as
the latter pleases I'm the premises: more espe.
ciaily "a the terms fixed involve no real hard.
snip or wrong. Morally, the South has no
right 20 demand that the North shall ac
cept as the grand result of the war
state OF things governmental In which
each citizen who fought to DESTROY the
United States shall hereafter WELD praeti
caiiy, twice as much power at the polls as each
man who fought to MAINTAIN the Integrity of
the Government. Nor is it morally right or
proper that any man upon whom the respon-
sibiiity Of leadership, civil or military, in be.
half of the rebellion, can be fixed, shall be re.
stored 70 any position of honor, trust or profit
under the General Government, except in sucb
lndividuai cases as may be deemed proper bv
Congress. The STARS readers will recognize
these views as having been steadily enforced
In Its columns whenever II has taken occasion
10 approach the subject The time having ar.
rived when we believe the STAR can subeerye
the real interests OF the South by participating
IN the discussion Of politics, we propose to con-
slider this subject matter at length in future is.
sues, and trust that what we may have to say
with reference to 1t will be received by such OF
our readers as participated in tho rebellion, az
counsel prompted simply by a sincere desire to
beneff the material, industrial and political
interests OF the southern section OF the Union.