Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-12-13
Rradtord geporter.
TOwanda, Thursday, December Is, 1866.
RECONsTRUCTIOS.

the position of the party on the question of
reconstruction We consider this ill-ad-
vised and unsafe. As party, we went be.
fore the people on the question of the adop-
tion of the Amendments to the Constitu-
| tion, proposed BY the last Congress and
we not only asked the loyal voters of the
nation to sustain these amendments, but
we pledged ourselves to stand by them.
What right then, have we to abandon them?
We have made compact with the people,
and we expect them to fulfill their part of
| it, and they as certainly expect US to stand
| by our pledges. If there was any urgent
necessity for changing the issue we made
on the question of the re-admission Of the
Rebel States, we could have some excuse
TO lay before the people, but to abandon
our position without this, looks like trifing,
looks tickle, and is calculated to destroy
confidence in US. No, we have made the
issue, we had set down our landmarks, and
the people approved them, and let US show
our fidelity to principle, by adhering un-
waveringly to them This is the only way
to secure the confidence Of the nation.
But there is another view of this ques-
ton which it is important we should not
lose sight of, and that is the fact, that the
feature Of the proposed Amendments to
the Constitution, which found most favor
with the loyal people, was that which dis
franchises the leading rebels. Every man
conversant with the loyal sentiment of the
nation, knows this to be the fact and it is
more than probable, that the Amendments
would not have been sustained at the re-
cent election, has this redeeming feature
not been in them and now, having prom
ised the people thlt this light punishment
for treason shall be inflicted, it will be ia
tai to change it for general amnesty. If
there is one feeling in the nation, tronger
than another, on this question of re-co u
struction, it is a desire to see the base
scoundrels, who led this country into the
most fearful civil war on record, punished
in some form or other, for their crimes and
if the republican party now changes its
base, and agrees, upon any conditions
whatever that these leading rebels shall
come back into full franchises and power
under the government, it will incur such
displeasure as will jeopardize its prepond-
! erance in the future.
| And then, who is it that is go vociferous-
ly calling out for a change of base, for an
! abandonment of the Amendments to the
Constitution, and substituting therefor,
| General Amnesty, and Universal Suffrage ?
The New York Tribune, to be sure one of
the most tickle, and unreliable political
journals in the land. In saying this, we do
not overlook the great ability, and great in
fuence of that paper but while admitting
this, no republican will deny its wavering,
unsteady political purposes and for par
ty to attempt to follow it, in its vagaries,
and through the obloquy its blind dances
call down, would be folly, and sure to bring
ruin in its train. No. the New York Tn
bune is great commercial newspaper, and
a very reliable journal, and so is the Herald,
but to take either as a guide, in statesman
ship, or straight forward course, would
be like depending on Mr. Richardson's
kites for the dissemination of knowledge
through the world.
But it is urged, that the rebel states re-
jected the Amendments, and that we must
abandon them because we Cannot carry
them. While we admit that the rebel states
have for the present, rejected the Amend
ments, we contend, that it does not follow
that they will continue to do 30. New Jer-
sey rejected an Amendment, and afterwards
adopted it, and so may the Southern States,
if we adhere firmly to our purpose. When
the Amendments were first proposed, it
was not expected that they would meet
with favor in the Southern Confederacy ;
but it was believed that firm reliance on
their correctness would carry them through;
and this belief, and reason, are as cogent
now as then. The rebels may expect to
drive US from our purpose, by rejecting our
propositions and is it good policy, to give
way when they do reject our overtures
Surely not This would place us at their
mercy. For, all they have to do, in order
to change our purpose, is to reject our
propositions. This would not only be weak,
but ridiculously foolish and would expose
us to scorn and ruin. If, on the other hand,
we are firm and unyielding, we drive them
to our terms. For, every one knows, that
if the rebels can get no better terms, they
will adopt the Amendments and many of
the leading rebels, seeing no hope of change
in our offers, ale commending the Amend
ments to adoption.
And then, if we abandon the Amend
ments, can we get Universal Suffrage {?
The last measure is as Objectionable in the
South as the first and the South will only
adopt it when she must but will she adopt
it if we abandon the Amendments? Why
No. She will reject it as she does the