Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-05-01
DEMONSTRATION"

We do not deem it necessary to add much
to our editorial comments Of yesterday on the
report Of the Reconstruction Committee. -
Something had to be repOrted-not so much
with any expectation Of reaching final result,
but as food for agitation. The policy Of the
Radicals is to do nothing at present in regard
to restoration, except 20 delay it. 1t is neces-
sary, however, to put forward a Pretense of do
ing something. This report is that pretense-
evolved with extreme difficulty under the
screw Of THADDEUs STEVENS. 1t is a tumble
of different plans without any new idea in it,
Having heretofore discussed every principle
involved in it we deem it unnecessary to make
it the subject ofespecial comment.
When the Southern States take their seats
in the National Legislature they must enter
as the peers in dignity, authority and SOW
ereignty of the States assembled there. They
are not so impatient for representation as to
bow their necks to the imposition Of conditions
that would degrade them from equality after
they we're admitted. Indeed, so long as the
present majority controls Congress, and the
present spirit continues to animate that MAORI
ty. there would be no practical advantage to
the South in being represented. Her repre-
sentatiyes would be not only POwerless, bat
their very presence would not unlikly provoke
a fiercer hostility towards the States in whose
name they would stand there. Before South
ern representation will avail anything, revo-
koI.a in Norfha
the JaeObins must be OverthrOwn, aud Con-
gress must be composed Of men who are ac-
cessible to reason, and who have some regard
for the Constitution and for the theory Of Gov
eminent ordained at the foundation of the Re-
public. In bringing about that revolution
which must come, or the Governments lost
the South will exert greater influence in her
present anomalous posture one which is In IT.
self an overwhelming proof OF the madness
and recklessness of the maiOrity-than SIZE
could if admitted to full fellowship in the
Union 1t is best that the fight should come OF
between Radicalsm and Conservatism in the
North upon the facts as they are. In that
fight, should Conservatism prevail, the door
will be opened to the Southern States, and
they can enter in with dignity and advantage to
themselves. But should Radicalism prevail,
continued exclusion will add nothing to the
burden that we will have to bear.
The North must now decide for itselfthe fn-
ture of the Government. Its people are as
much concerned as ourselves, since the future
character Of the GOvernment-the whole queS-
tion Of constitutional, republican sellgoyern-
ment-is at stake. The stage at which affairs
have arrived shows concluSively the tyraunical
and despOtical tendencies of the Republican
party, and proves that the aim Of that party is
to erect consolidated government, admins
tered in perpetuity by partzan Oligarchy, on
the ruins of the Federal system. The only hope
of successful defense against this appalling dam
ger is in the recuperative power OF Northern
conservatism in a lingering or renovated regard
for States rights among the people OF some OF
the more powerful Northern States, and in an
attitude of passive but not the less effective
protest on the part of the South. 1t is just as
we'll for the Southern States to be kept out Of
the Union forever, as far rs exclusion depends
on a denial of representation in Congress, as to
be governed by bitter, malignant, despotical
party, maintained in power by the aid OF negro
votes. After all, if the President will relieve
us of military rule, enforced amongst us, for
the most part, by men who are the tools and
agents of Radicalism, we can raise cotton, to
baccO, wheat, corn and potatoes, attend to our
business and make our living, without having
any Representatives or Senators in the Con-
gress of the United States.