The Evansville journal. [volume] (Evansville, Ind.) 1866-1870, 1866-12-11
The Last Chance

Session of Congress, Mr.. WENTWORTH,
otoiIllinois, introduced, in the House,
resolution to this effect, that in re-,
Spouse to the Presidents Message on
the status of the lately insurgent
States still excluded from Congress.
The House finds in their many acts
of disloyalty since its last adjourn
ment, as well as in the recent cleo
tions in the loyal States, additional
reasons for insisting on the adoption
of the pending Constitutional Amend
ment before it will consider the pro-
priety of giving such States Congress
sional representation.
Mr.. ANCoNA, of Pennsylvania, NOV
ed to lay the resolution on the table,
which motion was negatived by vote
of 80 to 119, and the resolution was
adopted without division. issa '9@
/ 1t would appear from this that
about four fifths of the members of
the House-7confrmedin their original
opinions by the most emphatic in
dorsement of the loyal people, as well
as by numberless acts ofdisloyalty on
the part of the still unrepentantrebel
ARE in favor of adhering to the
amendment as a condition precedent
to the restoration of the excluded
States to a participation inrNational
Legislation. = -
Nor can the South hope for more
acceptable terms from the Fortieth
Congress, as it's political complexion
will be quite as radical . as, this.
Unless, then, the unsepresented
States, will comply with the reasonable
and generous terms dictated BY the
unparalleled magnanimity of victo-
rious party, we may consider their
Status as fixed till 1869, which in
wolves their voluntary exclusion from
the next Presidential election.
In common with the entire Repub-
lican party we desire the speedy ca h
summation of the work Of recon
struction, and are anxious to see every
Southern State represented by loyal
men in Congress and restored to its
forfeited rightsunder the G Constitution.
Yetwe believe Congress would be re-
creant to its clearly indicated duties,
and deserve the, execrations of all
Union men, North and South, should |
it hesitate to demand literal compli- |
ance with the terms prescribed.
y But that there is no reason to fear
such recreancy on the part of the
peoples representatives, the vote on
WENTwoRTH's resolution clearly
proves. .-..- s'9ae 81
There is, however, reason to appre-
bend that the hostility and obstinacy
of the ruling class in the South may
convince Congress that mild treat
ment is not calculated to effect their
cure, and enable'the extreme Radicals,
heretofore in hopeless minority in
both the House and Senate, to carry
QUO their plan Of reconstruction on
the basis of territorial governments
for the excluded States,
The adoption of the amendment,
which they seem disposed to treat with
undisguised scorn, and contempt, is
their only hope, and we are unwilling
to believe they will continue to reject
it till the day of grace is past, and
harder terms are demanded.
u Their final submission is but
question of time, and if they have
any regard for their own interests, if
they are capable Of discerning the
signs of the times, they will hasten
to take the necessary steps to secure
the benefit of the terms now offered.
- NEW AMVRRTINEMENTS