The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-05-02
Tie Press Oh the Report of the Recon.
ssrucfiOn Committee.


The rcyolutioni>tS must have grown, in
deed, desperate since they dare To unmaSk
their own villainy and avow their dctcrmi-
nation to dctraud several millions OF
American citizens of their right to CX-
press choice in the selection of Il chict
magistrate. The Radicals are aware that
the Southern States could never, without
iurlr.ting Scli-rcSpcct and honor, consent
10 ratiiv constitutional amendment that
would deprive them Of the most precious
privilege that States can cnj"y-a privi-
lcgc. indeed, that constitutes the vital
element of the essence of their rcpubll-
cInism.
Was there ever before anything 50 mon
>trouS conceived in political history; and
is it possible that our h"a>trd republican,
ism is 10 hc Slmmcd by furnishing the cN-
amplct 1t seems Incredible that in this
day and cline of enlightenment and pro
lrSScd freedom, Il faction should attempt to
change the organic law of the Republic for
The purpose Of carrying Il Presidential
election. Yet, 50 it i. The Radicals abso-
lutclv dare 10 tampcr with the ground
work uf the Government; actually propose
To amend the Federal Constitution to
strengthen their partisan position in the
next Presidential contest.
From the New York Tribune
Our own preference for much shorter
and simpler programme is well known :
UNIVERSAL AMNESTY - IMPARTIAL SCF-
FRAGE--Such are its conditions, and the
whole OF them. We would amend the
Federal Constitution to this extent only.
But il is not possible that all individual
views and preferences Shouldhc gratiticd in
rcadiustn@ the relations to the Union OF the
States lately in revolt; wherefore we en-
treat every CnioniSt in Congress to adopt
the committees report rs a basis, amend
n- wherever that may he practicable, but
resolved to accept and vote for ii when II
shall have been perfected by the action OF
the two Houses. Make il as much better
as possible, but let it hy no means be de
icatcd.
From the New York Times lorgan Of MIR. Seward
and the PresdcntJ.
The wOrthlCSSnc>S of the Committcc'S
proposition is obvious. 1t cannot 10y any
possibility effect anything. We may con
lidcntly take it for granted that the people
of the South will never, under any circum-
stances, acquicSce in their own diSiran-
chi>cmcnt tor four years in reference to
all that relates TO the Federal Govern
mcnt. There is room for difference OF
opinion on the general merits of the re-
construction problem; OH this point there
can be none. The South has taken its
stand on the ground of II common citizen
ship, and it will never accept as the price
OF Congressional representation that which
would be equivalent to an acknowledgment
of four Years Scrtdom, or intcriority, as
the penalty of rebellion. Nor should ii
bc asked to acccdc to terms Of this nature.
Punish the rebel leaders, if necessary, by
hanishmcnt or otherwise. But to propose
to punish Il whole people to suit the parti-
san convenience of those who dictate the
penalty is an outrage upon justice and
common humanity. With all their errors
and faults, the Southern people have shown
that they are not towards. They will not
belle their nature by writing themselves
down slaves at the bidding of committee
appointed to consider the question of re-
construction.