Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1866-12-13

fall chiefly On this class They ought no6
to complain, because they did not expose
their persons in the strife to secure the VIC
tory in war they so largely contributed
to inaugurate. There were few at Apo
matox who had been active in bringing on
the war.
The pardon issued by the President as
sumed that severe p,ins fsand penalties had
been incurred by the Individual receiving it,
and required an acknowledgment by the
recipient that he had committed offences
Congress, also, declares that the offence
was committed, and aflixes the disqualifi-
cations imposed upon certain offenders as
a mitigated penalty. The pardons of the
President were eagerly sought, and accept
ed with professions of gratitude. 1t can-
NOT be contended that no disgrace attaches:
to the acknowledemen of wrong where
| forgiveness is promised and that it would
be dishonoralle to acknowledge the same
/ fault where the consequences Of the admis-
sion merely go to the disqualification from
holding Office
But are the conditions imposed by Con-
gress hard Congress indicated that the
disabilities enumerated in the amendment
are not to be perpetual by rcserving to
itself the power to repeal them The con-
ditions are not nearly rs hard as they
might be. The person of the citizen is
safe !; his property is not threatened with
confiscalion; it is not proposed to admins
ter our laws by strangers; the power over
the question Of suffrage is left with the
| ba cob Of
aud its blessings, may it not be am act Of
exalted patriotism lor a portion Of the old
and the middle-aged citizens to yield
/ gracefully to a necessity they canuct avert?
It only brings the young men a little earl
ier into public life, and will tend to the
earlier development of their energies. BY
the acceptance of the amendment tranquil
ity viii be secured to the South. The
young men and the old men will enter
upon new field of prosperity; intercom-
nunications will he opened between alt
parts of the country. and by the exercise
Of little forbearance, in a few years Il
perfect restoration gill be effected.
But it is proposed to reject the amend
ment and abide events; and the question
is frequently asked, what, will be the re-
suit? The answer is involved III dor' t.
The condition OF the country is unsettled,
and there will be no tranquility until the
status Of the unrCpresented States is fixed
have no means vi knowing what the ac-
ton cf congress viii lie, in the event Of
the rejection Of Tie amendment 1t seems
to me most probable. that it will be claim
ed. that through illegal interference by
the President III the unreprescnted states.
the political power, Of those states, has
been placed in the hands of those who
were lately in rebellion against the govern
ment. and who withhold political power
from those who were and are loyal to the
government Of the e. States; that they re-
fuse to comply with the requirements Of
Congress, to entitle them to representation,
and are, therefore, still. practically, in re-
bellon against the government2 and that
the loyal people OF these States are thus
deprived OF a representation in the councils
Of the nation Congress will he asked to-
set aside the State organizations created
by the President, and place these States
under the control Of loyal men, who will
accept such conditions as may be imposed
by Congress- IF Congress should aGopt
this course, the President Gas no power to
resist it, because ii adopted by two-thrds
Of each house, it will be the law Of the
land
Virginia would not be liable to this con-
lition of things; butt have treated the
subject as though she were III the same
condition of the States reorganizcd ly the
President first, because know that your
action will have an important influence
over these States; and secondly, because
as we are NOW unrepresented we will have,
in effect, to conform TO the same conditions
imposed on those otrtes which Will in all
probability be ,4nch more Objectionable to
our people. chan the amendment now pro-
posed; for when d constitutional ameud-
ment shall be adopted BY the requisite num-
Der Of States, whatever diSqualGcations
are created thereby will be enforced ty
stringent laws of Congress The amend
meut is before you for ratification Or rejec-
ton. | have endeayorel to make fair
and full statement to YOU, in regard to this
whole subject, as it presents itself to my
mind
WASHINGTON, December 2.-The com
n,ittee appointed by the Radical Caucus to
prepare a programme have their document
ready for presentation.
1t contempates the entire abolition of
the State Governments South, and provides
for the appointment of Commissioners for
each State who shah have power to appoinS
all civil and military officers to preserve
peace.
ii will De the daty Of the Commissioners
to call conventions to adopt new Consttu-
tons, and thereby secure the admission
into the Union Of the respective States.
The Radicals differ among themselves
on the franchise question. Some of them
favor confoing the right Of suffrage to-
,loyalistS, including negroes. Some say
that Congress should designate who shall
vote, while others wish all to vote who,
now vote under State laws
The new constitutions are to be submitted
/ to tile Deople but only those will vote who