Tri-weekly union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-186?, 1866-10-27
THE CONSTITUTIONAL
AMENDMENT.
THE POSITION OF THE PREsIDExT,
Views of the New York Press on
BrOWning's letter.

New YORK, Oct. 25.-All the morning
journals devote considerable comment to the
letter of Secretary BROWNING, making an
elaborate argument, againstthe pending con-
stitutionai amendment which is accepted as
explaining the Presidents views. The Times
remarks:
In many respects we apprehend that the
document will operate mischievously, and
that its publication is a mistake that will
add to the difficulties of the Presidents po-
sitiOn. If it has any significance, it is
equivalent TO a declaration on his part, that
Notwithstanding the action of Congress and
the determination of the North, he intends
to continue his opposition TO the amend
ment, and his efforts to prevent its ratifca-
tion. There would be valid cause Of regret
in the mere knowledge of the circumstance
that the attitude and aims of the President
have undergone no change 1t were bad
enough to know that the irresistible current
Of Northern opinion in favor of the amend
ment had neither convinced him of its ne
cessity, nor taught him the inutility of fur
ther resistance to it.
But the latter becomes a grievous error
when it is considered as causeless, gratui-
tous expression of opinion by the Executive
on grave question of policy, at time and
in form which can only serve to aggravate
existing difficulties and intensity the bitter
ness which unhappily characterizes their
discussion. 1t cannot have been deemed
requisite to make known the views enter
tanned by the President touching the amend
ment, for these were long ago communicated
to Congress, together with the reasoning
upon which they are based. Nor has aught
occurred that could afford pretext for the
revival of an opposition which recent events
have shown to be bootiess. The Presidents
experience of speech-making should have
satisfied him of the futility of his endeavors
to stem the popular current and win the con-
trolling elements to his side.
The reasonable presumption is that, mas
much as the President, by his persistent OPP
position TO the settled resolves of the North
ern people, rendered them firmer than be-
fore, this manifesto, over Mr.. BRowNING's
signature, will tend to strengthen the posi-
ton Of Congress and to make more deter
mined the demand for the amendment as
the groundwork of a national compro-
mise. The more judicious friends of
the President did hope that the verdict of
the people, as heard in the recent elections,
would induce him to reconsider his decision
and to recommend the amendment to the
friendly consideration of the Southern States
When the emptiness of these expectations
became apparent, desire prevailed among
many who had faithfully stood by him that
he should at any rate waive his hostility to
the measure and allow the issue to be fought
out without his interference one way or
another.
The Herald says its appeals are ground
less. Mr. BROWNING says, another blow
which the proposed amendment aims at the
government which our fathers founded is in
the change of the basis of representation.
What are we TO understand by the govern
ment which our fathers founded? It ceased
to exist with the abolition of slavery. We
cannot plead the Constitution as it was.
We must take it as it is, and deal with
things not as we would have them, but as
we find them.
The World asks: "Ought the South to
ratify this constitutional amendment" and
proceeds to say: "a point of considerable
interest to the South, on which the World
can speak with more authority than any
other Northern journal, is the position of
the Northern Democracy in relation to the
amendment. If the Democratic party ofthe
North should commit itself to the amend
ment, thereby making the North unanimous
in demanding its ratification, such unani-
nifty could not be disregarded by the South
in determining its own course"
Within the last few weeks we have with
much pains and no small solicitude, attempt
ed to gauge the sentiment of the party on
this point. The result is conviction that
the Northern Democracy will never indorse
the amendment as a condition of restoration.
If we might take it upon US to advise our
Southern fellOw-citizens, we would counsel
them to reject the proposed amendment TO
yield quiet obedience to all constitutional
L., ..-i..s,-:-- - H., 1-,@ssaE apI ~,
courage the freedmen by equal laws, and to
abstain as carefully from the agitation of |
questions of Federal politics as if they had |
no concern in them.
The only hope of redress is in Northern |
justice. When il becomes evident they arr.
to await this with dignifed reVf
serve, that they will neither humiliate
themselves nor disturb the peace of the oun-
try; that they will furnish no food to agita-
ton, but quietly demean themselves as law
abiding citizens, and patiently await the re-
suit, and that nothing will shake their reso-
luton not to be parties to their further hui
initiation.
The Tribune says: The President and Mr..
BROWNING believe that it is not ascertained
hat we will not save the government To
his the American people enter an indignant
lenial. The dread which Mr.. JOHNSON and
lis advisers affect, that the government was
n danger of destructiod, is not felt by the
people, and still less do they fear that their
lirect representatives in Congress are the
nemies of its existence
The Post calls it an ill-timed and illogical
The Express approves it heartily as a
paper.