Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1866-09-10
PUBLIC LEDGER.
THE IMPENDING CONFLICT.

1t is difficult, perhaps impossible, to
exaggerate the Importance of the Crisis
now upon the country. While the war
was in progress, the belligerent sections
noured their utmost energies to single
point. Measures were provided on the
one hand for offense, and on the other
for defense, while the people cheered and
mourned alternately. Above the single
surface of war, nothing but the Issue of
hattie was thought Of The old land
marks of parties were forgotten IN the
tremendous conflict, and Wing and Dem
ocrat, Aboltionist and Secesslonist,
knew but one impulse and one purpose.
Every passion that animates humanity
was illustrated either in aggression or
defense.
But the surrender of the Southern
armies altered the face Of affairs, and
threw the people back upon the issues OF
former times. What was to be done
with the South was the question that
sprang to every mans lips Was seces-
sion an accomplished fact2 Were the
States of the South dead? Was the
Union restored? What was, in general
terms, the status of the States OF the
South. The North, that had been unani-
nous in conducting the war for the sup
preston of the Southern armies, divided
the moment that announced the surrender
of LEE and JOHNSTON. That portion OF the
Northern people known as abolltlonisfs
and ultra Republicans and led by SUMNER
in the Senate, and STEVENS in the
House, demanded subjugation, confsea-
ton. negro suffrage and negro equality
as the proper fruits ofvictory. Strangely
enough, these men who had committed
their party 10 the idea that the war was
carried on for the single object of re-
storing the Union as il was before Sc
cession, turned instantly from their
former professions, aud assumed the
ground that the Southern States had
actually expelled themselves from the
Union, and that the proper course for
the Government to pursue towards them
was, 10 deal with them as dead States,
inhabited by a people who had forfeited
the privilege Of civil or selfgovernment.
To this end, the Congress denied them
representation in that body Selling
upon the suspicious occasion which
placed in its hands supreme control OF
the question of reunion, the Legisla
ture prescribed new tests and imposed
impraeticable conditions Upon certain
conditions it may consent to reunion OF
the Southern with the Northern States.
Its needless to state what these are.
They are discussed daily from one end
of the land 20 the other. Frankness and
honor require the declaration that the
South will not accede to them, let the
consequence be what it may.
Rallying about the President, great
party is forming in the North in opposl-
ton TO these extraordinary demands. The
issue is made up, and is about to be sub
mitted to the decision of the Northern
people
And here occurs the singular anomaly
Of a people to be exclusively affected by
The popular verdict, not being permitted
10 have no voice in the determination OF
the question. IL the present Congress
shall be returned, or one entertaining
similar views aud purposes, the restora
lion Of the Union will not occur, but the
States Of the South will be reduced Il
provinces until such time as the ballot
being put into the hands Of the negroes
Northern Adventures and Southern rem
egades. may give them to the Radicals
The President will be impeached, if tina
can be accomplished. If not, the depart
ment represented by him will be thor
oughly neuirahzed, if not abolished
Deposed, contrary to the Constitution
from the Presidential duties, what then
Would he, or The people who supper
. him, sabmii to such a revolu;'on1 1t i
certain that they would not But nos
could they resist, and what would be th
result Of resistance These are momer
tous questions, and time, not prophesy
must solve them. The readjustment
the Union, peace and prosperity, han
upon the success Of the Conservatives i
the approaching elections The conies
even at this distance Of time from tn
days Of election. is exceedingly bittel
II viii grow more bitter By the accumV
lation Of new exasperaticns, and, a
blood has already been split, It may fo'
in a torrent at the polls.