The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-09-13
The Recent and the Coming Elections


Prospects.
II is historical axiom that revolutions
never go backwards. Its truth has been
affirmed in the great political events of this
country since the adjournment of Congress,
and especially in the recent State elections. 1t
was reasonable to suppose that The Jacobinical
violence, recklessness and ferocity of such
political reformers as Ben Butler in the East,
Senator Chandler in the West and Parson
Brownlow in the South, would have damag-
ing effect upon their party when brought to
judgment before the people; but it is strikingly
apparent from the result of the late elections
in Maine that the popular mind is controlled
by larger questions, against which the sayings
or doings Of this or that fanatlcal politician
go for nothing. That great body of the Ameri-
can people to which we are indebted for the
suppression of the most formidable rebellion
in the history of mankind, are evidently deter
mined to have substantial securities for the
future before they pronounce the good work of
the restoration of the Union complete--t that, in
short Southern reconstruction shall rest upon
the solid foundation of the federal constitu-
ton, regardless Of the disturbing forces of
radicals, copperheads, rebels, ruf6ans or fana-
tics, North or South.
From the elections which have occurred
since the constitutional amendment was
adopted by Congress for the reconstruction of
the Southern States, we are satisfied that that
amendment is to become the basis of Southern
rsstoration-that it will carry and be carried
A. Ctot al ofsr> 10
and that with New Jersey leading of it will
be ratified by them all and become part and
parcel Of the supreme law of the land. Nor
have we any fear Of the consequences There
is nothing, after all 80 very objection
able in this Notwithstanding which Presi-
dent Johnson himself has not, at one time or
another, recommended to some Southern Stale
or to Congress, and nothing upon which there
| should have been disagreement between the
President and Congress. Let us for moment
| look at this amendment again. 1t provides:-
| FrS-That all persons born naturalized in the
United States citizens thereof and Of the States
in which they reside and footing Of equality in
gard to their civil rights.
Sccond-That the enumeration OF the people for repre-
sentaon Congress shall be abridged in proportion to
the abrdgment Of the right Of suifage-males sbove
the age Of twentyone yeasn any State on account Of
1 race color
TArd-That largo schedule Of persons, civil and mill
tary engaged in the late rebellion, shall be ineligible to
any federal ONCE hereafter until absolvod by twohirds
| vote Of each House Of Congress.
| EurtA-That the national war debt shall be held
CRED anc that all rebel debts and obligations shall be
| utterly repudiated and held illegal and void.
| Fifth-That Congress shall have power to enforce
| the provisions Of this article.
| This amendment is the reconstruction plan
and platform of Congress, and there is no good
reason, we say, why it should not have been
adopted also by the President, inasmuch as he
stands committed in some shape to all its pro-
visions. 1t is not the platform OF Thaddeus
Stevens, Sumner, or any Of the noisy radicals
| of Congress. They can do nothing. Il was
adopted against their remonstrances and in spite
| of their threats. 1t embodies substantially, in
fact, the Presidents original programme, and
if carried in these coming October and Novem-
Der elections-as we predict it will be, from
Massachusetts and New York westward-we
trust that the administration, in Difference to
the will Of the people, will come back to it.
Why not! Surely this amendment engrafted
upon the constitution will be amply sufficient
for the restoration Of the Union, internal
peace, sectional harmony and the security Of
the government and the Treasury for many
generations to come, against all disturbing
factions Of either section. Parson Brown
low, In leading of with the State Of Tennessee
for the ratification, has shown that good
thing may be done by bad man and for .
bad motive; but that Tennessee should thus
lead of for this amendment is a very remark
able and significant fact-that New Jersey
should next follow is almost as strange; but
from good or bad designs, thus started, the
amendment will surely 60 through.
The Presidents quarrel and rupture with
Congress was an unfortunate mistake. From
recent events, South and North, It is clear that
it will prove fatal blunder to his administra-
ton, unless he abandons II as the issue before
the people. The old contests in England be-
tween King and Parliament are full of instruc-
ton on this subject Had Mr.. Johnson taken
our friendly advice, and made the distinguish
ing features Of his administration vigorous
foreign policy and sound financial system, he
might ere this have become as popular Presi-
dent as Andrew Jackson. He has yet a fair
field before him In which to retrieve his misfor-
tunes. Let him begin de novo by a recon-
struction Of his Cabinet, beginning with his
particular marplot the Secretary of State; and
let him give us a Cabinet and policy, foreign
and domestic, shaped to meet the exigencies Of
the day and the developments Of public
| onnion and hia administration r,ax s,;II no
come universally acceptable and gloriously
successful. We speak to him as friend, and,
we think, in the voice Of the people.
GRmr.-The extraordinary result Of the cleo