The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-03-13
TUESDAY. MARCH 10, 1866.
A Practical Solution of the RecOnstruc-
ten Problem.


h1he question Of tho recognition of the State Gov
ernments IN the lately rebsllIous states will shortly
be brought to practical test. Measures have boon
taken by prominent loyalists in tho South, and are
now being perfected under the advice OF leading
men in Congress, to bring this question to an early
decision. The plan is as iollows:-Loyal men, and
they only, both black and white, IN the Statos OF
Arkansas, North Caroline, Louisiana, aud else
whore, have taken steps towards tho formation OF
new State Governments. TheSo loyal men, without
respect to color wit shortly issue calls IN their re-
spectiye states for state Conventions ana elect dele
gates thereto The Conventions so formed will
framo State Consti utions emDOdying the principles
of LOYALTY, freedom ana equal rights; will pledge
themselves TO the payment of the national debt, the
reputation of the Rebo debt and the dslrenehise-
ment of the Rebels, This being done, they will
then proceed 10 elect Governors State officers Re-
presentatives, aud Senator'S; the latter of whom
will at once demard admission TO Congress. The
question thus being thrust upon that body there is
NO doubt of the RECOGNITION OF the Governments so
formed, and the admission of the loval members so
elected number OF uue and loyal of the
South have been here for days consulting and
deciding upon the best method to be adopted, and
having determ med upon the pan presented above,
have lett for their homes 10 carry the Same into
cution'
This plan--the main features of which are
sketched by our New York contemporary
is one which at the first glance recommends
itself to all practical minds as the easiest aud
most speedy solution of the vSxed question of
reconstruction. Nor will a close inspection
dispel the favorable impression frat conveyed.
1t rather gains favor when Its details are exa-
mined. The estrangement between the Exc
cutive and laW-making branch ofour Govern
ment, which has for months impeded the pro-
gress of legislation, and caused an almost
total stagnation in all the avenues Of trade,
is due entirely to the theoretical issue,
whether the Southern States, as States. are
in or out Of the Union. we will not draw the
fine thread of technica]ity with which the
arguments of both sides are surrounded.
Suffice it that when the late Rebel Common
wealths sent their representatives to the Ma
tional Congress, that body, with = diglity
worthy Of our nation, refused to admit to
equal seats the chosen delegates of ur-e-
pentant traitors-some OF them yet gloryipg
in their treason. The reason for such an
action was found ia the fact that the mem-
bers chosen, and the electors who chose them,
were both deep dyed in rebellion, and that
Rebels should have no part in the Government
of the land. The objection, therefore, could
be reInedied could matters 10 so arranged
that loyal Southern men should select loyal
representatives, aud send them to Wa9hing
ton with principles founded on the true
doctrine of republican form of govern
ment."
Such a consummation is also devoutly
wished for by the President The cardinal
doctrine OF his policy is, that eff there be but
i've thousand loyal men in Virginia, those five
thousand are entitled to representation"
Now, then, if some plan could be suggested
by which the State government would be
composed solely and entirely of the loyal
element, then would both Congress and the
Executive hail with satisfaction its officers,
and both bodies of the National Legislature
open their doors for admission. The state
ment industriously circulated, that the Re-
publican majority in Congress is opposed to
the readmission Of any Of the Southern States
for an indefinite period of time, is false and
malicious SANDER. 1t is only so long as
treason knocks that the doors will remain
closed. A single loyal word viii be the "opan
sesame" to unbar the entrance and remove
all obstacles. Such being the requirements
Of the plan which is to settle all dispute, ye5
compel neither party to yield, let US look at
the system hinted at in the extract we have
quoted and see whether all the needed prin-
ciples are not found therein.
AS loyalty is the only test Tor admission
into Congress, so also in the new State GOV
ernments loyalty viii be the only roqu isite foI
participation. An of those whose record
shows no spot or blemish Of treason will elect
delegates. 10 a Convention, every member o
which must be unquestionably true to the
Natioral government. The Convention viii
frame Constitution on the broad and immu-
table principles OF equal justice, which vii
be submitted, not to the promiscuous mass, bu
to the loyal people for adoption. Under it
provisions a Governor, State and local oil
GERS, will be elected, and Congressional repre-
sentatives chocen. These will ask admission a
Washington, and the recognition of thei
State Government, in which patriotism on,
will be found That they will be admitted
is beyond question.
The members OF our National Congress ar
0nly too anxious to see all the States re
stored TO their norma relations to the Uniol
and when all difficulties will thus be smoothe
away, the amieable feeling between az seC
tioAs will begin to grow around this nucleu
To such government the President is pledge