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

ordered the dispersion by military
force of any Legislature chosen under
the rebellion, which should assume
power to make laws after that rebellion
had fallen. 1t was he who referred to
Congress all inquiriers as to the prob
ability of Representatives from the
States lately in revolt being admitted to
seats ineitherhouse, and suggested that
they should present their credentials,
not at the organization of Congress,
but afterward And finally, it was he,
not Congress, who suggested to his
Governor Sharkey, of Mississippi,
that '' aet lsha
Ifyou could extend the elective franchise
to all persons of color who can read the
Constitution of the United States in Eng
lish, and write their names, and to 81 per-
sons ofcolor who ownfreal estate valued at
not less than $50, and pay taxes thereon,
you would completely disarm the advef-
sary, and set an example that other states
willfollow. a0f
IF, then, there be any controversy
as to the right of the loyal States to
exact conditions and require guaran-
tees of those which plunged madly
into secession and rebellion, the sup
porters respectively of Andrew j ohm
son and of Congress cannot be antag-
onistic parties to that contest, since
their record places them on the same
side. :.. ~ ~. a5 -'.l.a
1t being thus agreed that condi-
tons Of restoration and guarantees
against future rebellion may be exact
ed of the States lately in revolt, the
right of Congress to voice in pre-
scribing those conditions and in shap-
ing those guarantees is plainly incon-
testible.. Whether it take the shape
of law or of constitutional amend
ment, the action Of Congress is vital.
Even if they were to be settled by
treaty, the ratification of the Senate
by two-thirds vote would be indis-
pensable There is nothing In the
Federal Constitution, nor in the ma
ture of the case that countenances an
Executive monopoly Of this power.
4 What, then, is the ground of COM
plant against Congress t. ,.f
Is it charged that the action of the
two houses was tafdy and hesitating
Consider how momentous were the
questions involved, the issues depend
ing. Consider how novel and extra
ordinary was the situation. Consider
how utterly silent and blank is the
Federal Constitution touching the
treatment of insurgent States, wheth-
er during their fragrant hostility to the
Union or after their cdiscomfture.7
Consider with how many embarrass-
ments and difficulties the problem is
beset, and you will not wonder that
months were required to devise, per-
feet, and pass, by a two-thirds vote in
eitherthouse, just and safe plan of
reconstruction. W0 seH''N NfMno =
Yet that plan has been matured.
t has passed tie IS Ssafe s B 56y 81 to /
now fairly before the country, having
already been ratified by the Legislal
lures of severaE States, and rejected
by none. Underit the State of Ten
nessee has been formally restored to
all the privileges she forfeited by re-
belllon, including representation in
either House of Congress; and the
door thus passed through, stands in
willingly open to all who still linger
without. tl,,1 ,'' ai,.t,..'. 5..3 ~.
Are the conditions thus prescribed
lntolerable, or even humiliating?
They aregln substance these: ANS. 69it
I.nA1l persons born or naturalized
in this country are henceforth citi-.
zens of the United States, and shall
enjoy. all the rights Of citizens, ever
more; and no State shall have power
to cOntravehe this most righteous and
necessary provision. 500 = .1. I'D
III. While the States claim and ex-
ercise the power of denying the cleo
tive franchise to part of their people,
the weight of each State in the
Union shall be measured by, and
based upon its enfranchized popula-
ton. If any State shall choose for,
no crime, to deny political rights to
any race or caste, it must no longer
count that racegorT caste as a basis of
political power IN the Union.
III. He who has once held office on
the strength of his solemn oath to
support the Federal Constitution and
has nevertheless forsworn himself and
reasonably plotted to subvert that
Constitution, shall henceforth hold
no political office till Congress, by a
two thirds vote, shall remove or mod
ify the disability. iH,s4 fas 1Ds5fi
". The national debt shall be no
wise repudiated nor invalidated; and
no debt incurred in support of the
rebellion shall ever be assumed or
paid by any State; nor shall payment
be made for the loss or emancipation
of any slave. b ' H..
v. Congress shall have power to
enforce these guarantees by appropri-
ate legislation 5ae
Such, fellow citizens, are the con-
ditions of reconstruction proposed by |
Congress and already. accepted by the
loyal Legislature of Tennessee. e Are
they harsh or degrading? Do you
discern therein a disposition to tram
pie on the PROSTATE or push an ad-
vantage to the uttermost? Do they
emhodv auoht of vencearce or any |