Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1866-05-23

1 agree, therefore, that u would be a sad
mlsioI .sne a divergence between the fresi-
downfall sf the national Union narty lie
dear to me, for am iden uned with is rsrid rise
its majestic progress and glorious work. Both
to be equally involved an the ealnmitx xxb,eh
should dismiss the Union party from the ns-
tional councils, and see with moruffcafion the
that case proved itself unequal, assumed and
discharged by some new and yet undeyeloped
political organization.
But President, Congress, statesmen. and
parties are Of no real account in my estima-
iion, when weighed against the national hfe
The national life lately hung on the issne OF
victory won in war; 10 now hangs on The issue
live: IL must live forever, whether IL receive
the needed care m any emergency n the hands
of one President, Congress and party, or ~
the hands Of another. L reasoned IN this way
about the triumphs of the war. I reason in
the same way now in regard TO reconciliation
and peace. i expect that a year hence i shall
be found 10 be right, as am now admitted 20
have been right one year, two years, three
do not think. however. that there Is any
necessity for a separation between the Presi-
uent, Congress, and the party Of the Union.
| admit that the jealonsies and suspicions of
he last summer were only allayed, not extin-
guished, by the eiecusns OF November. They
have been sedulousiy cherished and increased
until they have revealed themselves in imam
mstoIy debates In the press ana popular
81 mblies. admit thai the National Union
party in Congress has as yet been unable either
10 accept or reject the counsels Of 4e Presi-
dent A wide and enduring separation can
not, however, be made between Congress and
the President without having for its groove a
serious difference upon some cardinal political
question. At this point II will be well 10 settle
Tor yourselves what II is that we desiring
TO see effected by the President and Congress.
We all agree that we desire and seek what
THIS nation needs Al the present Juncture.
We cannot accept less than this, because it
would leave us still, II not a desolated. at least
a disturbed and distracted country. We can
not require more, because even if more were
desirable, yet that more is debatable. and must
be the study and the work. not Of ourselves AT
this particular period, but OF ourselves, and
our successors hereafter What, then, does the
country actually need Most persons saw re-
construction. Think u needs no snch thing
The country ~ reconstructed already.
1t was constructed IN l7S7. As then coasutu-
ted u Was a Union OF thirteen States, and since
multiplied 10 thirty-siX, free, equal, separate,
self acting, and 10 regard TO internal affairs
self. governing States. We DO not reconstruct
that which has not been destroyed. There has
IN deed been an attempt At destruction, but AZ
has failed, and the political system Of l7s7,
constructed by our forefathers, stands now
FIRM, compact, complete and perfect, Just as %
came from the builders hands.
ltwas constructed not for eighty years only,
nor yet for time OF peace only. nor yet for a
period of civil war only, but for all alternating
conditions of peace and war, and for all ages
and all time. Others say what the country
needs Is the re TtstoratIOn OF the autonomy of the
nation. l think ~ needs no such thing We
have passed that point. The Southern States,
during four years. were deranged and disor-
canIzed equally IN their constitutional reIa-
uons TO the Union.
They have. however. since that time, reor-
ganiZed; all their OF ganlc powers and functions
have been renewed, and they have resumed
their constitutional relations of allegiance TO
the Union. what then does the nation need
1t needs Just what 1 have dwelt upon so
much ana 60 earnestly in these remarks. IL
needs reconciliation, and Just now IL needs
nothing more. IL needs, moreover, a very
little of thfs. Ii needs a reconciliation be-
tween the-Senators of the United States who
are now acting and those Senators who. being
loyal and qualified for membership OF the
Senate, have been already or may hereafter
he elected by the people OF the several States
which Were lately involved in the rebellion.
Ii needs reconciliation OF the same kind
between the members OF the House of Repre-
sentdtiyes who are now acting and loyal
members already elected or to be elected by
the people in the same before mentioned States.
IL needs just this Congressional reconciliation,
and nothing more OF course / recognize the
fac:-that the separation which exists BET ween
the acting Senators and acting Representatives
and those loyal Senator'S and Representatives
who are already or may hereafter be elected in
the Southern States. is understood 10 indicate
a corresponding alienation between the con-
sutuents OF these parties irrespecuvely. But
this does not affect the view L have taken OF
the case. Ii only shows that what is wanted
is reconciliation between the altenated con-
stltGents well between the separated
representatives. Let the reconciliation ne
made first either in Congress or in any Of the
constituencies. and n will follow I'm the other
place Immediately. The country exhibits az
his moment this extraordinary and interest
ing phenomenon. A nation Of States not only
kindred but allied, yet hostile TO each other.
For such a condition mutual reconciliation
IS the only practical remedy. We are pre-
pared now 10 ask what hindeTs the applica-
ZION OF that remedy in the legislative coun-
clls. The Presidents position is absolutely
taken, we'll defined, and universally un-
derstood. II is this, namely: That so
far and so fast the unrepresented States
pres mt themselves IN a loyal attitude by rep
resentatlVes unqUestionably loyal, they are
entitled 10 representation in Congress equally
with all the other States, and lust as well as II
there had been no rebellion.
The representatives OF the National Union
party In Congress do net agree with the Pres
non essentials.
Some are understood TO in sist that the peo-
pie OF ne State ought 10 reserve the right Of Sc
cession or disunion. The President SAYS eN-
actly the same thing A State that should
claim 10 reserve right OF secession could no
be loyal. Others contend that after rebellion
State ought not TO be accepted which in
sists upon or readmits the validity Of the deets
OF the rebellion.
The President says exactly the same thing.
State that should insist upon the validity of
such debts could not be loyal. Others argue
that, as a consequence OF the abolition of sla-
very, change of the basis OF representation mas
become desirable and necessary. This can be
done only by amending the Constitution OF the.
United States. While Congress are vet unable
TO agree among themselves upon the form of
such an amendment, the President SAYS: .sLet
US amend me Constitution so as 10 proportion
representation according 10 suffrage
These seem 10 me to be the only essentials
Two OF them are already secured by the unrep =
resented In their constitutions. The third is a
work OF time, requiring the action Of three
iourths OF the States by amendment Of the
Constitution.
Why, then, the delay Of reconciliation when
they agree on essentials With some il nav
be matter Of temper. They ask why Congress
should be expected TO agree with the President
upon plan rather than he be expected to
agree with Congress upon a plan TO be origi-
mated by them. answer, because the President
mas plan and Congress has. vet, proposed
none-at least none that is immediately feasable
but, In truth. II is not a question which of the
TWO, the President or Congress OF the United
States, has devised, or shall devise, a plan Of
reconciliation. Neither the President ner Con-
gress could arbitrarily devise or project one in
THIS case. We speak habitually and even f1ip-
panty OF the policy which the Presiden. sun
ports, as u il were plan that has been con
eelyed and framed in his own brain. II is no