American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1866-09-26
NUMBER Al.


1t being thus agreed that the condi-
ltlons of restoration and guaran tees against
future rebellion, may be exacted of the
states lately in revolt, the right of Con.
gress to voice in prescribing these con.
iitions and in shaping those guarantees,
is plainly incontestible. Whether il take
he shape OF law, or constitutional
amendment, the action of Congress is
vital, even if they were to be settled bv
traaty. The ratification of the Senate by
two-thrds vote would be indispensable.
ihere is nothing in Ahe Federal Consti-
aiion, nor in the nature of the case, that
countenances the Executive monopoly of
his power.
What, then, is the ground of complaint
lgainst Congress 1t is charged that
hc action of the two houses Yves tardy
lud hesitaGng? Consider how momen.
Gus were the questions involved, the is
ucs depending. Consider how novel
lnd extraordinary was the situation.
onslderipg how utterly silant and blank.
IS he federal constitution touching the.
reatment Of iusurgent States, whether
!uring their fagrant hostility to the
Union or alter their discontinue. Con.
'lder with how many embarlrassments
md difficulties the problem is beset, and
you will not wonder that months were re-
luired to devise, perfect and pass, by
two thirds vote in either House, just
aud safe plan Of reconstruction.
Yet that plan has been ulatQred, It
has passed the Senate by 33 to l |, and the
House by 1873 to Sc 1t ID now fairly
before the country having already been
rat fled by the Legislatures of several
States and rejected by none. Under it
,he State Of Tennessee has been formally
restored toall the privileges she forfeited
BY rebellion, including representation in
either House of Cor gress, and the door
hus passed through still stands inviting
" orcn TO all who still linger without
Are the conditions thus prescribed intol-
cradle, or even hlmiliating? They are
IN substance thesa:
First-All persons born or naturalizsd
N this country are henceforth citisens Of
the United States, and shall enjoy all the
rights Of citizens eveImore, and no State
shall have poyer to controvene this most
righteous and necessary provision. 81
Second.--While the States claim and
exercise the power of denying the olee:
tive franchise to a part of their people,
he weight Of each State in the Union
shall be measured, by, and be based upon,
its eniranchised population. If any State
shall choose, fer no crime, to deny polit-
ical rights to any race or caste, it must no
longer count that race or caste as basis
of political power in the Union.
Thim.-IIe who has once held Office
on the strength Of his solemn oath to sup,
port the Federal Constitution, and has,
never heless, lorsworn himself and treas
onably plotted to subvcrt that Constitu.
ton, shall heuceiorth hold no political
Office till Congress, by a two thirds vote,
shall remove or modify tho disability.
Foartk-The national debt shall be in
no wise repudiated nor invalidated, and
no debt incurred in support Of the REBEL
lion shall ever be assumed or paid by any
State, nor shall payment be made for the
loss or emancipation of any slave. a
FIHh-Congress shall hav, power to
enforce these guarantees by appropriate
legislation. Such, fellow citizens, arc
the conditions of Reconstraction proposed
by Congress and already accepted by the
loyal Legislature oil Tennessee. Are
they harsh or degrading? Do you dis
Germ therein disposition to trample on
the PROSTATE or push an advantage to the
Gttermost ? Do they embody aught Of
vengeance or any confscation but that Of
slavery? We solicit your candid and
impartial judgment. What is intended
By the third section is simply to give
loyalty fair start in the reconstructed
States. Under, the johnson policy the
rebels monopollzc power and place.,
Even in communities where they are de-
eidedly outnumbered their Generals are
Governors and members Of Congress I;
their Colonels and Majors fllths Legis-
latures, and oficiate as Sherifs., Not
only are the stsadfastly loyal prescribed
but even stay at home rebels have little
chance in competing with those who
/ fought to subgert the Union. When
this rebel monopoly of Office shall have
been broken up and loyalty to the Union
shall have become general and hearty.
Congress may remove the disability, aad
will doubtless make haste to do 50. ~
+ We do orot perceive that the justice O
fitness Of the fourth section, prescribing
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