Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1866-07-18
GOV. CURTIN AND THE TIMES.
he EndOrses Congress,

tHg ever 10 theln, out III appears HUM 1iiN
! following letter addressed to Fr. Jordan
| IIs f., Chairman of the Union Republican
| State Committee, he is right side up on
| the greatest issue ever raised in this coun-
| try, namely the rejection or admission OF
! rebels to legislative power. We commend
! til, Governors letter to all classes who
desire the welfare of our country, as he
/ presents some arguments that may be new
to them.
HARRISBURG, Pa, July II, '65.
SIR: Your favor of the 4th inst, has
been received.
The question Of calling all extra session
of the Legislature, 10 ratify the amend
ncnts proposed by the Congress of the
United States, has been carefully consid-
cred. AS soou as Congress finally passed
the amendments, | consulted with the
Governors OF several Of the States by tel
Ccrlph, with the view of securing imme-
dirte and concerted action in ratifying
them believing that such a course might
hasten the great end TO be attained by
their Incorporation into our organic law
But the proposition was not received with
the favor anticipated, and it now seems
Sc sled that there will be no general ac-
ton of the States to ratify by extra scs-
sion, even if Pennsylvania should do SO.
70 call an extra session in this State
therefore, would not in amy degree hasten
th" adoption Of the amendments by a suf-
!icient number of the States.
The issues involved in the adoptiOu of
the amendments proposed, for the ratifi-
cation of the States, are not new. They
are questions which were considered and
discussed during the whole progress of
the war The people have had abundant
opportunity to consider them, and | do
not doubt have definitely made UP their
minds on them. After it was asccrtained
that there could be peace and union ONLY
hy the utter destruction of the military
power Of traitors, who. whilst there was
th2 remOtest hope of the edismembernent
of the Government, would entertain no
terms of adjustment other than the sew
Crance of the States, and peace was re-
stored only after the valor of our armies
AMI the fidelity of our people had disarm-
cd treason by the capture of its military
forces, and the complete overthrow Of
those who had uSurped the forms OF gov
Crnment in the rebelliOuS States, and thus
compelling US TO accept the terrible arbi-
trament of the sword to rescue the Re-
public from those who had committed
eight millions of people to compass its de-
struction, and having saved it at All inca
cUlable sacrifice of blood and Of treasure,
it we'll becomes the people to provide for
its welfare in the future, so that those
who shall live after us may enjoy the
blessings of our free government without
the recurrence of discord and fratcrnaI
strife. In this we should be humane and
also just. While we should be magnani-
NOUS to reclaimed people, who are to
form an integral part Of our nation, we
should also guard all sections against the
possibility Of renewed attempts to dis
member the Union. There must be some
penalty for a crime that has desolated our
land, ridged it with untimely graves, be-
reaved almost every household and stay
gered us with debt. For a crime so
heavy there must be some monuments of
Justice as a warming to mankind of the
fate which awaits those who actuated by
passion OF ambition, may hereafter seek
to destroy the nObleSt and best govern
ment on earth.
Congress has no more than met the de-
mands of a loyal people in the proposed
amendments. As a basis of reconstruc-
ton, they must be regarded hv all dis
passionate men as remarkable only for
their magnanimity and the generous
terms on which it is proposed to admit to
full citizenship ninety-nine one-hund-
rCths of those who crimsoncd their hands
i'll the blood of their brethren to give an
archy to continent. TO provide that
those who have added perjury to treason
III the sanctuary Of both military and
evil power, shall hereafter be unable To
repeat their treason against our insfitI
tons, while all others arc restored to full
fellowship, is a policy whose generosity
couid cmanate only from a government
"a 'ree and as strong as ours. TO put all
the States upon an equality as to the ba-
Sis OF representation, is not only reasona-
Die, but necessary. Before the rebellion
three-fltths OF the slaves were counted in
estimating representative population
Slavery having been abolished. the slave
States, unless the Constitution be amend
cd rs proposed, will be entitled to add
two-flfths of their late slaves in estima-
tlng their representative population
surely, we have not carried on a bloody
war for four years merely to give the re-
belliOus States an increase of pOliticaI
power. That these States shall have no
misrepresentation in proportion to their
voting population, than the old free States
have, Is proposition so just, that it would
seem 70 be impossible for any freeman of
pennsylvania to object to an amendment
to prevent such result.
1t is just and equitable in every sense
and, while it leaves the question of suf-
fragc wholly with the States, where it
properly belongs, it makes every appeal
to the interests and pride of the States to
hberalize their policy, and give to all
GLASSES the benefit of American civiliza-
ton.
That all persons of whatsoever class
condition or color, should be equal in civ
II rights before the law, is demanded Inv
the very form of our Government; and It
- - ollsterlng stain upon our nationality
that slavery has been enabled evan ''rt;I
the noontide of the nineteenth centnr,,
TO ue!orm our civil policy, and in maH,,
States TO deny equal justice to a LARGE
CLASS of people. To maintain our nationoi
GreoIt, our faith with our wounded and
nravc soldiers, and to forbid the assun,n' r,,r,'
ti Ton OF any part Of the debt contracted fpr
a., f,iI , tSDeliIon, are propositions too clearly