New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-10
THE REBEL PROGRAMME.

Ex-Goy III. V. Johnson of Georgia has very labor
ously indorsed the Randall Convention, in four
column letter to The augusta Chronicle. There are
many passages which deserve notice. indications Of
what the Rebel States expect to gain by union with
COpperheads He urges the d5afected Rebels to
sustain the Convention, because it A" has organised
party pledged to the restoration of the Union upon
the basis Of the Constitution and of representation to
the Southern States without any other test of loyalty
beside the oath to support the Constitution Of the
United States This is deeply interesting to US. 1t
is the overshadOwing question, paramount to all
others. 1t is vital. / surrender none OF
the cherished political opinions Of my life'
so far they are applicable to the situation in which
we are left by the war, nor do | indorse such as
believe to be erroneous in the Philadelphia platform
and address But what ayal3 the discussion OF these
now What can we gain by Argument Nothing;
but he hopes to gain much through the help Of the
Convention, which he says is confessedly movement
of the President, who desired it, First to naugurae
good feeling and understanding between the friends Of
the Union under the Constitution; Secondly TO or
ganze them into party, to sustain his policy Of
restoration; and Thirdly, to present fairly to the
people of the whole country the distinct issue OF rein
stating the ten excluded States to their constitutional
relations to the other States without unconstitutional
tests of loyalty" These rather stale facts now,
but Gov. Johnson has very plainly shown their i'm
portance:
The world knows that the people Of the South DO a
proy Of all that done BY s Phadphd ConpEfsn nor 70
pretended TIA, degas did, Protest against what IS OBJ
jectionab by press people 10 totally unnecessary
even matter Of justice 10 ourselves There Is no need 70
define position upon contoyerted questions OF principle
policy Il is known and read OF all When restored
it We shall then have an audience; rs sla
part Of The tribunal TO dseids The 7usTioH' di'eE'ssf
Again, this candid Rebel says:
THE Southern tstes by the act Of secession put IN issue
Of Saver B have been decided against
and have accepted In good faith tho award OF the sword
sre borc s p1r; certain that r. in the Language OF
that Address the GorEhmsHt aequired no PoDr by
discuss these principles great point gained that
amid the fiery play Of the passions party has been
representation shall be accorded to with hope OF success
= Bot realize these anticipations, must fret
great quesonthe essentis vital condition precedent TO
hope OF days for the South And this depends upon the
final success Of the Philadelphia movement Let US encourage
that success.
We hold this language to be significant enough to
alarm every citizen who is not prepared to admit that
State can rebel to-day and resume her full national
position tomorrow, including the right to be Of the
irrv and the Judges in the trial of her treason II is
notorious that the Rebels do not accept the loyal
resolutions which the Convention in Difference to the
North, was compelled to adopt but that they yield
simply for time in order to gain power Gov John
son has TO that effect directly advised the South;
1--WE must get into Congress, and through the Con
vention is the only door; then we can repeal these
odous laws and compel the admission that, having
yielded to the Government it has no right to punish
our crimes require pledges that we will not renew
Them This is his argument; it is that of the
burglar who. detected in his crime and Knocked
down by the officer walks handcuiied into Court and
demands a seat beside the Judge.