Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-08-20
oasrRucrroN TO RESTORATION.

ls The point the Radicals make against
the Philadelphia Convention is, that the
success of its measures would be sur
render of the Government into the hands
of the rebels. Having advanced beyond
the fundamental principle of our repub-
lean system, they maintain that Access
sion to administration of the Govern
ment by the opponents of Radicalism'
through combination of Northern Dem
ocrats and Republicans and the people
of the eleven States Of the South, constr
tuting great majority of the people OF
the whole country, is result to be re-
sisted at every hazard. They discard
the old idea of government of the peo-
pie, and while they would, by constitu-
tional amendments, wholly disfranchise
the South, they would, if assured Of sue
cess. place the Conservatives OF the
North under the same disability. 1t IS
undeniable that they are attempting, by
a constitutional amendment, to exclude
the South from participating in the Gov
ernment, except upon the condition OF
being Radical. The argument is, that
the people of the South are rebellious,
and ought not to associate politically
with loyalists. If there be those in the
North upon whom, for selfish purposes
or otherwise, they can fasten the brand
Of rebel" they too may be disqualified
for the exercise of the right of suffrage
This is logical, and cannot be conirover-
ted, unless degrees are shown to exist
in treason, and that Northernireason ex-
lists in modified form.
Well then, ANDREW JOHNSON is assailed
= as traitor Those who support him,
T, in whatever section, must also wear the
faint and be subjected to the disability
which attaches to the crime of treason.
In this way the supporters of the Phila-
delphia Convention are all traitors. The
war has taught that any fling is fair
against that class Of persons, and as there
is danger that they may aecedeto the Gov
eminent, no means, however unfair, are
considered too unfair TO be employed to
keep them out of office This statement
Of the case will suggest how near We are
to revolution, or at least, how closely the
condition Of the Conservatives Of the
North resembles that of the people of the
South What is the demand of the for
mer? They demand the recognition Of
eleven States Of the South as States, and
the admission Of their representatives TO
seats in Congress This is the whole
scope OF the purpose Of the Philadelpbis
Convention. Ithas not asked Demo
crst to be Republican, or Republican
10 become a Democrat 1t has proposed
to form no part, nor suggest any polit-
. zeal creed. Otherwise. Massachusetts
and South Carolina would not have
entered the Convention arm in arm.
The formation Of parties will take place
after the restoration OF the Union. There
is little probability that DIX and Doc
LITTLE will act in party matters with
ORR and STEPHENS There is no prob
ability that Massachusetts and South
Carolina will be alike Democratic or
Republican. There is hardly proba-
bility that the South viii act with the
r.
of this character are not now considered.
Confronting Democrats and Conserva-
tives is only one object II is huge,
angry, colossal and difficult We must
destroy it, or It win destroy US On
either side of it is an DISTRACTED current
of peace. Level it to the ground, and
these currents will flow lovingly together.
That obstruction is Radicalism1