The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-09-25

We do not perceive that the justice
or fitness of the fourth section-pre-
scribfng that the Union public debt
shall be promptly met, but that of
the rebel Confederacy neyer-Is. serl-
ously contested
There remains, then, but the second
section, which prescribes in substance
that political power in the Union
shall henceforth be based only on that
portion of the people of. each State
who are deemed by its Constitution
fit repositories of such power In
other words: A State which chooses
to hold part of its population in ignor-
ance and vassalage-powerless, uned-
ucated, unfranchised-shall not count
that portion to balance the educated,
intelligent, and enfranchised citizens
of other States.
We do not propose to argue the JUS
tice of this provision. As we'll argue
the shape of cube or the correctness
of the multiplication table. He who
does not feel that this is simply and
mildly just would not be persuaded
though one rose from the dead to con-
vince him. That there are those
among us who would not have it rati-
fed sadly demonstrates that the good
work of emancipation is not yet COM
plete.
But, say some, this section is
designed to cOerce the South into ac-
cording suffrage to her blacks" Not
so. reply; but only to notify her
ruling caste that we will no longer
bride them to keep their, blacks in
serfdom. An aristocracy rarely sur
renders its privileges, no matter how
oppressive, from abstract devotion to
justice and right. 1t must have CO.
gent, palpable reasons for so doing.
We say, therefore, to South Carolina,
I" If you persistently restrict all power
to your 100000 whites, we must insist
that these no longer balance, in Con-
gress and in the choice of President.
100000 Northern white freemen, but
only 100000, Ifyou keep your blacks
evermore In serfdom, it must not be
because we tempted you SO to do and
rewarded you for so doing"
FellOw-citizens of every State, but
especially of those soon to hold cleo
tiOns, we entreat your earnest, con-
slant heed to the grave questions now
at issue. IF those who so wantonly
plunged the Union into civil war shall
be allowed by you to dictate the terms
of reconstruction, you will have heed
lessly sown the bitter seeds of future
rebellions and bloody strife. Already
you are threatened with a recognition
by the President of sham Congress
made up of the factions which recent
ly coalesced at Philadelphia on
platform of JOhnsonism-a Congress
constituted by multiplying and over
riding a plain law of the land-=a Con
gress wholly inspired from the White
House, and appealing to the sword
alone for support. So glaring an at
tempt at usurpation would be even
more criminal than absurd Happily,
the people, by electing an. oyerwhelm-
ing majority of thoroughly loyal rep
resentatives, are rendering its initia-
ton impossible. 9si.t - p. si..aaE
We cannot close without most de-
served tribute to the general fidelity
wherewith, in view of the Presidents
detection, the great body the people,
and even the federal ofice-holders,
stand fast by their convictions and
their principles. The boundless pat
ronage of the Executive, though. most
unscrupulously welded against those
ed very few, either Of those who
shared or of those who would gladly
share i'm its enjoyment. Not one Of
the twenty-five States which voted to
re-elect Abraham Lincoln has given
in its adhesion to the Presidents pol
icy, while New Jersey-the only free
State that voted against him has adj !.
ded herself to the number.
: Our great war has taught impress
lively the peril of injustice; and the
lesson has sunk deep into millions of
hearts. The American people, chas-
tened by suffering, are wiser and no.
bier than they were, with quicker
and more open ear for every generous
suggestion. The fearful lessons of
Memphis and New Orleans have not
been lost on them, as is proved by the
result of the recent elections in Yer
mont and Maine. We cherish no
shadow of doubt that Pennsylvania,
Ohio, Indiana, and Iowa first, then
New York, New Jersey, Illinois.
Michigan, Wisconsin, Kansas, and
Minnesota will do likewise, and that
a true restoration, genuine, abiding !
peace will thus be secured toil our |
country peace that will endure, be-
cause based on the everlasting founda- |
tons, of humanity, justice, and free
dom. Yours, -
Marcus L. Ward, New Jersey, Chair
man. .
John d. Defrees, Indiana, Secre-
tary. es Nrg r.
Horace Greeley, New York. -
s. A. Purviance, Pennsylvania '.'
3 VIM. Clat1in, Massachusetts,.
N. B. Smithers, Delaware
H. w. Hoffman, Maryland.
H. H, Starkweather, Connecticut.
L r. Counr, Ohio = n 49,