Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1866-02-22
Bradford geporter.
Towanda, Thursday, FEBRUARY %, 1885,
NEW LIGHT on RE-coNsTRUCTIoN.

NEW LIGHT ON RECONSTRUCTION.
Some very startling and some very sat
isfactory explanations in the Presidents
views on the question of reconstruction,
are given in his reply to the Virginia dele
cation that lately waited upon him with an
address. His reconstruction measure be-
comes less Objectionable with each exp'ana-
tion he gives of it, and if he will carry out
strictly, or will insist upon Il strict Observ-
ance of the doctrine laid down i'll this speech
to the Virginians, we will not only raise Nc
objections, but render to him an earnest
support in his efforts to this end For, if
we understand the President, and his Ian.
guage seems piain-nay it is torcible-hs
ideas on reconstruction are in harmony
with our own, and that of the whole Union
party of the country and had the view
here presented Of the Presidents recon,
struction policy, been given when that mea.
sure was first inaugurated our belief is,
that there would have been no objection
raised to it i'll any quarter OF the republl-
can ranks We rejoice heartily at the new
phase given to this most important meas
ure, and it affords US an opportunity OF re-
iterating statements made heretofore CON
cerning the integrity and patriotism of the
President While we differed from him on
this question, and solely because he had
failed to throw around it the light which
now graduates it, we never doubted the
purity of his motives, or his devotion to the
true interests Of the country.
But. in order that the reader may more
fully understand the new light thrown
around the Presidents reconstruction pol
icy, we give below his views i'll full on this
particular point. They are as follows
The representatives of the States and
of tie people should have the qualifications
prescribed by the Constitution OF the Uni
ted States, and those qualifications most an
queStionably imply loyalty. He who comes
as a representative, having the qualitca-
tions prescribed by the Constitution to fit
him to take a seat in either of the delibera-
tive bodies which constitute the National
must necessarily. according to
the intent of the Constit ton, be a loyal man,
aciHing to abide by and be devoted to the Union
and the Constitution of the United SGies.-
He CANNOT BE FOR THE CONSTITUTION, HE CAN
EDGE OBEDIENCE TO ALL THE LAWS, UNLESS He Is
LOYAL. When the people send Such men IN
good taith, they are entitled to representation
through Mem In going into the recent re-
bellion or insurrection against the Govern
ment Of the United States you erred, and in
returning and resuming your relations with
the Federal Government ! am free 10 say
that all the responsible p0sitiOns and places
ought to be confined distinctly and clearly to
men lcho are loyal If there were only five
thousand loyal men in a State, or a less
number, but sufficient to take charge of the
political machinery of the State, those five
Thousand men, or the lesser number, are
entitled to il. If ALI. THE REST SHOULD BE
OTHERWISE CONCLUDED, | LOOK UPON IT AS BEING
FUNDAMENTAL THAT THE EXERCISE OF POLITICAL
POWER SHOULD BE CONFINED To LOYAL MEN, and
regard it is implied in the doctrines laid
down in these resolutions, and in the elo-
qucnt address by which they have been ac-
! may say that, further pore,
after having passed through the great
struggles in which we have been engaged,
we should be placed upon much more ac-
ceptablc grounds in resuming relations to
the General Government, if Enthusiastically
aud unquestionably loyal men We're pre-
sentcd to fill the palaces of power"
Now here is presented, in clear, unmis-
taxable language, that for which we have
always contended, viz that none but tru-
ly loyal men should be allowed to hold seats
in the National Congress, and that none
other than loyal men should regulate and
control the political machinery of the late
rebclious States This covers the whole
ground IL says the President, "all the
rest should be otherwise included, ! look
upon it as being fundamental THAT THE EN-
ERcIsE OF POLITICAL POWER SHOULD BE CONFINED
To THE LOYAL MEN" The loyal people Of the
loyal States ask for nothing more on the
question OF rc, admitting the seeded States
to their places in the Union, than strict
observance OF the doctrine here laid down
With one accord, the Union men of the ma.
ton have asked for this, from the beginning
of the agitation of the question, and re
joice i'll the fair prospect presented now Of
seeing this consummated
Nor is this hopeful view of the case dark
encd by the position OF the President on the
negro suffrage question. In "A recent inter-
view with a member Of Congress, the Pres
ident disciaimcd Gty intention of oppoSjng
that measure on its O1rn merits, but he con
sidered it uuwise TO force the question on
the southern States at once saying, al the
same time, wlile | may differ from indi-
vidual members Of the Union party, as to
the means to be used, shall consider mar
self an general accord 1cith that party, As TO THE