The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-04-30
A PLAN OF SETTLEMENT.

solemnity Of the responsibilities resting upon
them, and knowing that the fate Of republi-
can institutions and democratic ideas was
involved in its success, they sought in their
labors not only the wisdom with which man
kind in its march of life had attained, but
appealed also to the aid Of Heaven for coun.
sci and guidance. They wisely foresaw that
the progress Of events and the development Of
unforeseen emergencies, as well as the con-
lict of ideas and interests, might demand a
change or alteration in the fundamental law
ofthe Republic To prevent any reason for
revolution, and to obviate any restriction
upon the wants or advancements Of the
future they provided that our democratic
form Of government might be per-
petual by affording within itself the remedy
against any great wrong, and the opportu-
nifty for the establishment of any great right,
and for the peaceful settlement of any dis
turbing question or dangerous element Of
discord. That method is the amendatory
power reserved to the people. This great
corrective power, when necessary, can be
evoked either by direct propositions from
Congress, submitted to the States, or by a
convention Of States called upon the proper
application. Amendments emanating from
Congress have been frequent but the time
has never yet occurred when the last resort,
an invocation Of the States, has been deemed
necessary. President LINCOLN and his con-
stitutional advisers, to avoid the msfortunes
of civil war, were willing, if not DESTROYS, to
arbitrate the difficulties which antedated the
rebellion by this tribunal. The South was
too drunk with passion, and too bcsotted
with pride, to accept the proiIer; and the war
came. That terrible ordeal has passed, and it
leaves four commanding problems to be
solved somehow and somewhere:
First, representation, which has been af
fected by the war, so that rectifcation of
the old system is compelled.
Second, the national debt which in our
judgment towers above every other question,
and is allied to the very vitality of the coun-
try. Its security is the surety Of American
prosperity, and the test Of American honor
and character. Beside it all other questions
dwarf into comparative insignifcance. The
expediency Of immediate Southern recog.
milton is only debatAble as it affects the ma
tional obligations, and fears with reference tc
these obligations cause the only real appre
hension in the scheme of restoration.
Thirdly, the political condition OF the
freedmen.
Fourthly, the political future and civi
status of those who have participated in thu
rebellion.
These questions are engrossing the publi
mind; they are the theme alike of the pulpit
the press, and private conversations. tn
destiny Of vast sections are involved in them
the great political organizations are divide
upon them; and because of them the legisla
tive branch of the country is in array agains
the Executive. Patriotic consideration, tn
profOundest attention Of public leaders, an,
the earnert prayers of the masses centre il
these questions. No general unity of sent
ment exists concerning them. The radical
have plan; several distinguished gentlemen
-. hayn Intiaal plani
Congress has countless plans, but havin
only one fixed, definite, unalterable purpos'
it has reported scheme which seeks the r.
Endorsement of itself and the initiation of
sectional presidential campaign pending IL
election in 1868, by which it can keep pOlit
cal power in certain hands. There is also Il
wise, statesmanlike, humane, and constit,
tional policy OF the PRESIDENT OF THE UNITE
STATES, which is simply the reapplicatiOn
the preserved principles Of American COVER
ment to the whole American people now
subsection to the national authority.
The administration policy contemplate
the political as well as the military destructio
of the rebellion by the representation of Il
late rebellious States through loyal men
the councils of the nation; leaving the que
ton of debt to the intelligence of the Poop
whose honor and interest are bound with
it, the discrepancy of the representation has
to be adjusted by constitutional proccdur
the preferable method being to substitute Gle
tors for population in the basis hereafter Il
matter of suffrage to he disposed of in Il
accustomed American way by the separa
States; and the question of amnesty to
regulated by the legislation Of humane al
Christian people whose fame it has been
be as magnanimoGs in peace as they we
brave in war.
This method of settlement has had, a
will retain our most ardent approval. 81
mitted to-day to the entire voting POpulati
- II IL iou1 ID Iaaut thrna millinna