The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-04-30
A Candid Survey OF the Political Future
Troubles Ahead,


[Prom the Auburn IN " Advertiser aud Union, 25thl
We had occasion to state In our issue Of yester-
day that any further indemnity for the expenses Of
tho than have already received Is out of the
uppormost before Congress and the country.
In respect to this the first question which arises
Is tohehsr COHgTsSJ possesses any pot0eT chdtsrer
10 sIdct from The late rebels any security for their
future behavior. To consider this Alright, we must
hrst settle In our minds the precise status of the
rebels as members Of their respective States, and
whether there exists any way Of obtaining security
from them as individuals. So far as the paroled
soldiers are concerned IL seems to be admitted that
there Is not. All other rebels might be arrested
and put under recoguizance to keep the peace If it
were not for the Amnesty Proclamation, which ex-
tends pardon to some Of them. few of their
leaders are now under arrest for suspected compli-
city In the assassination Of President Lincoln, and
for reason, and may yet be tried with the view to
punisbment. But in looking over the whole sub.
jsct, HsitheT the PTestdeHt COHgrsJs haze found
any feasible Institutional Way TO sIaet any security
from them that they t0iH not rebel again WheH op-
p0TiHnify offers. So we dismiss that idea from
consideration as being Of no practical account. No
security will be, because It cannot BE- exacted of
them as individuals.
The next question which arises Is whether any
security be obtained from them in their collect
i've capacity members Of their respective States
And here we must consider that these States are
acknowledged and proclaimed to be inside the
Union unuer the IOnkttutlOn although some OF
their functions are suspended by the popularity of
their situation. They are within the Union yet In
cert ain repects although out of their proper prac
teal relations to the Government. This being
their condition. Is there any way In which the Fed
| eral Government can exact any formal guaranty
from these States that their inhabitants will never
again rebeli We suppose not, eIospi through an
| amtHduent tOhe ConJtitutiOH, and no such amend
msWt trOWid BE- likely TO Be ratfed by three J0Wrfhs
Of The States, We dismiss that idoa also one Of
| no practical account
This brings us to the consideration Of the ques-
ton whether any security eau be exacted by indi-
reoion as logical result Of any practical line Of
policy toward them. II has been suggested that
'nco there appears to be no way to exaot security
for future behAN Tor by direct means they shall be
denied representation in Congress and in national
| conventions until they 20 amend their State con
ventions to declare the Union Of States to be
perpetual. This idea seems to obtain favor with
those who are without faith in those who have
been rebels,
Those who, like Judge shellabargOr, of Ohio
continue h. believe that the rebels have lost al
eight to participate In the Government and tina
mo good thing can come out Of Nazareth, main
tain another position namely;
81. That tho people Of the Southern States shSl
be excluded from representation In Congress ant
participation In political councils until after thu
neSt Presidential election.
~. To exclude tho entire Southern vote TO
President and Vice President upvT tho preosden
estn blished by Congress in the last election.
"3. Ifthe Southern and Northern Democrats
vote together should elect a President, to be pre-
pared to resist that election"
Upon this the Democratic party Of the eOHRtr!
haze already taken issue nth Ito apparent hope 2
making IL SHeesSSfHR
The point We are discussing is indirect securit
for the good behavior Of the rebels in the future
, The question Is whether this line Of policy, II /
shall DO followed, will be likely in view of the issu
already made upon 1t, TO secure II; We h7ve see
no ,eaiOp for bslisVing that il '0iH. The key-not
to the probable solution may be discovered in th
testimony Of Alexander II, Stephens, Of Georgia