Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1866-01-12

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Under the constitution they have no means moi
power Of their own 10 regain il But the ext
geney l. provided for by that clause in the fed
eral constitution II Which the federal govern
ment guarantees republican form Of govern
ment 10 every STATE. The regular and fJrma
method would kr, therefore. Tor the natona
government 70 provide specifically for their reor
ginGltiCn.
lis duty is not only TO restore those States
but also 10 make sure Of lasting peace, Of il,
ovn ultimate safety, and the permanent estab.
li>hmenJ Of the nights Of all Its subjects T,
this end, / venture the opinion that the govern.
ment Of the United States ought 10 require the
people Of those States TO reform their consti-
tutUIs.-
l. Guaranteeing to the people Of color. nov
the wards Of the nation, their civil rights as
men and women, on an equality with the white
population. by amendments. irrepeslable il
terms.
>. Regulating the elective franchise according
to certain laws Of universal application. and no;
by rules merely arbitrary, capricious and per
sOnal.
3. Annulling the ordinance of secession.
4. Disatlrming the rebel debt, and
! .. To ratify the anti slavery amendment Of
the United States constitution by their legisIs-
lures
And would have all these questions, save
the hfth-the disposition OF which is regulated
by the federal constitution-put to tie vote o.
the people themselves. We should neither be
satisfied with the action ofthe conventions which
have been held, nor with what is termed the
loyal vote" We want the popular vote And
the rebel vote IS better than the loyal vote If on
the right side lit is not on the right side.
then fear those States are incapable at preseat
OF reorganization; the proper power Of the
Union government is not restored; the people Of
those States are not yet prepared 10 assume
their original functions with safety to the Union;
and the state Of war still exists; for they are
coniumaciCus aud disObedient TO the lust de-
mands Of the Union, disowning the Just condi-
tons precedent TO Reorganization.
We are DESTROYS Of their re-orgs ration aud
to end the use Of the war power. But l am
confident we cannot re-organize political society
with any proper security /. Unless We let in
/ the people TO a cooperation and not merely an
arbitrarily selected portion Of them. ? Unless
| We give tho-e who are, by their intelligence and
character, the natural leaders Of the people and
who surely will lead them BY and BY. an oppor-
/ tunlty 10 lead them now.
| The true question is. now, not Of past dislov-
atty, but Of present loyal purpose.
When tie day arrives. which must surely
come. when an amnesty, substantially universal.
SHAH be prOclaimel, the leading minds Of the
south, who by temporary policy and artificial
rules had been, fer the while. disfrancbised
VIII resume their influence and their SWAY.
The capacity ct leadership IS a gift, not de-
wee. They whose courage, talents and will en-
titles them to lead, will lead. And these men
not then stopped by their own consent or mar
uclpailon IN the business Of re Organization
may not be SLOW 10 question the validity Of greaf
public Transactions enlcted during their own
disiranchisement If it is asked; in reply ."Wbnt
can they do;' aud " " hat can come Of their
diseontent p | answer, that while | do rot
know just what they can do, nor what NAV
come VI II, neither do | know what they NAV
Mt attempt, nor what they may not accomplish.
l only know that We ought 10 demand, and 10
secure the cooperation Of the strongest and
allcst minds and the natural leaders Of opnion
II the south. Il We cannot gain their supporr
Of the just measures neelful Tor the work Of
safe re-organiEtton, re-organiyati. will he de-
lusIYe and tuiI OF danger.
HE conquered rebels are in the Union. 10 /
help govern aud control the conquered loyalisis I
These beng the privileges which they are TO |
elJ0y, when reorganzttIo becomes Complete. [ |
declare that know not any safguard, precau-
ton, or act # prudence, which wise states
mAnship might net recognize to be reasonable
and just. Ii We have no right 10 demand
Guataniees iDr lie future if We have 10 right
10 lhs.st upon significant acts Of loyal submis-
sion from. the retel leaders themselves If Ue
have no hight to d, maud the positive, popular
Nt;c !. favor Of the guarantees ge ueel If ~
may not stipuate for the recognition Of the inst
rights Of the slaves, whom, in the ACT O,
suPressing the rebellion, we converted from
slaves into frcemen, then declare that we had
no right to emancipate the slaves nor to supp.ess
the REBEL on.
R.r. q. yr.uIs D., III, -
by the eolored vote. Ii the popular vote Of the
white race is not TO be had in favor Of the omar
luiees just y required, then l am in favor of
holding on just where We now are. I am moi in
favor OF surrender Of the present rights
j the Union 10 struggle between a white
minority aided by the freedmen on the one hand
against a majority Of the white race on the
,ther. would MT consent, having rescued |
hose states by arms from secession and rebeI-
len, to turn them over to anarchy and chaos
have, however, no doubt none whatever-of I
'ur right TO stipulA:e for colored suffrage. The
question Is one Of craftsmanship. not a Question
I constitutional limitation.
,
In dealing with those states, with view to
dlfiilng the national guaranty Of republican
Irm Of government, il is plain, since the no t
on Is called upon to reorglnize government.
here no loyal republican state government il
! existence, that !; must of absolute necessity.
cal directly with the people themselves Con- 1
RES, discerning Lew people with new rights.
I'd neS duties and new interests (cf the nation "
self eTen), springing iron them, NAV right p
lily stipulate N their behalf lfcongress ner. :,
ives that it cannot fulfll its guaranty 10 ali the
aoPe Of a state, without such a stipulation. y
zen it not only may, bat ought 10. REQUIRE and ',
cure it The guaranty is one concerning all. :,
i mercy a rart Of the people. And, though u
e goTernment Of state might be Of repub cl
an form, and set not enfranchise its coiored 10
liens; still the substance and equity Of the :,
iaraniy would be violated, IL, in addition to ;.
err northumberland. the colored re ple til
onid be compelled to share the burdens OF ..
lie government, the benefits Of which would -
ure TO other class s,-to their own exc,us,oaL% In
10 demand certain qualifcatiop~of iufelli- In
nee i eminenIly safe. and cossists with the -
ertsfs and rights Of ali IT is as reasonable sal
certain maturity OF age The protsctiod no