The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-08-10
The Rights of the States in the Union

ttu ANlCu w ICl lOlllCl pOlGJs
The Rights of the States in the Union.
From the Times
common concern in material interests Is
urged by Senator Alcorn, OF Mississippi as a
reason tor fastening the restoration of the
Union. The South suffers financially under its
exclusion from Congress; its welfare is ignored
in the revision of old taxes and the imposition
of new ones; its public works are denied the
assistance which is lavished upon projects in the
North aud West, and the proongation OF the
period of uncertainty prevents the influx OF
capital and enterprise which is essential to its
recuperaton. The depression reacts upon other
parts OF the Union. Until the South regains its
status the North will he deprived oflts best GUS
toner, or will realize but imperectIy the busi-
ness benefits of the relationship. AS a mere
question of commercial advantage, the North
has heavy stake in the position OF the South,
and q oeep interest in us early restoration.
But the argument i'll relation to identity of
interest might be extended without weakening
its force. From things material 1t might be
carried to Things political. The Iights which
are dsregarded IN the case of the South are
rights which, in the case OF the North, would
not be peacefully surrendered. The policy acted
upon by Congress in dealing with. the South
involves principle 10 which the North would
not quietly submit. II concerns the States, as
such. 1t affects the rights OF State as State
its standing under the Constitution, its title
and powers as defined by the Constitution, its
privileges by virtue of an instrument to which
Congress itself is subordinate.
There has, doubtless, been lack of cohesive.
ness and consistency IN the radical policy, so
tar as II apphes to the position Of the Southern
States. At one time they have been treated as
States. al another as Territories as States, when
appealed to in their sovereign capacity to ratty
a Constitutional amendment; as Territories,
right TO representation. Either tact is fatal TO
the theory OF the other.
And YET, aside from paradox and irrespective
Of inconsistency, the radical purpose IS plain
enough. 1t dsCardS altogether the rights If the
Southern States, Honsutu'iOnally considered.
1t arrogates authority to keep them out of the
Union by keeping them out OF Congress, and to
lcelslate Tor them as 1t pledses,. without the
rrmotest reerenCe to Their wants and wishes as
proclaimed by themselves. In other words
1t assumes authority to govern them accC riding
to its fancy, IN utter de1anCe OF their consttu-
tional nght to govern themselves. The doctrine
of State suicide has not, indeed, been invested
with form and shape by any legislative enact
ment; but, Tor practical purposes, the course
of Congress implies the non-possession by the
States of any right which the Congressional
majority are bound to respect.
No law has been passed affirming the terrific.
rial condiU on OF the States; but the temper the
talk, and the tactics OF the radicals point dis
tIncliV to the conclusion that in their judgment
! but an aggregate OF Territories, whose govern
mental future is dependent on the Will OF Con
| gCess.
That this principle will, under certain circum
| stances, be hereafter more openly acted upon,
- extremely probable. The Chicago tribune
! one of the boldest aud abest OF the radical
! journals, thus toreshadows a contingency ano
lts intended consequences
al seems probable hat the South will not accep
tire mid terms offered TO them IN the CONSTITUTIONS
am,ndment. lfthey do not 1t VIII Dc the clear duty
of he present Congress TO Law the axe at the root
Andrew Johnson's provisional Governments, anC
Te0rganLe them on the basis OF lmpal lal Suffrage
There Will be no war OF races then Instead OF 1
there will be repeCt for law and submission TO II
General G. ant knows how to establish and eXecuu
anything when the Jaw making power may enact
without leaving any war OF races IN MS track
There is no reticence or ambiguity in this. l
the Southern States fail to rauty the Constitu
tiOnal amendment which has been submitted Il
them, their right to self government Is TO D
trampled under loot, their constitutional Tlgh
to regulate the suffrage annulled, and thel
entire machinery OF government tO be recon
structed according to the radical model Thl
is what the Chicago Tribune threatens. An
we know no journal that is better informed a
} to the radical plans, or more likely to be il
trusted with their promulgation.
The revolutionary measure thus indicated as
D | probable con tneency might be disCredlted, II
: | were at variance with the tone displayed b
e | Uniortur ately, the reverse is the fact. Th
e | Chicago Journalist simply states directly th
e | practical result OF the utterances OF Senate
( Trumbull since his return to Illinois, of NJ
t Speaker Col ak upon the stump IN Indiana, an
a ot Senator Wilson among his disciples in Mass
# cbusetts. TIE whole radical party declare tn
i. the South shall not be readmited to Congre
IS until il confo ms to certain conditions, to be
O. them dictated. From this position a short stt
leads 10 that other position assumed by Il
Cbieaqo Tribune. IL the South will not yolu
y tarilv acceot terms dictated by Congress- it shi
be con- ulpelled to yield 10 them; and to this el
re tho yI;I tad taitb of the nation shall be broke
the fGoyeTnments organized in reliance up
u. | 49, go ....-Lhunru1n nnd the fmlmra of Z