The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-10-04

signed; no government cOulu be less
adapted to the regulation of affairs in a
subjected neighboring territory. Mis-
takes, injustice, even fraud, inevitably
mingled with and marred its operations
through distant agencies; and these have
produced their natural effects. The pro-
longed exercise of such functions can on
" iniurt,, it hasalready injured ourselves.
We cannot afford to alter the spirit of
our great national system, and, by cen
Trailing, render the government of this
Union hateful to the people of all the
distant States, North and South alike.
But the evils of our present mistakes,
committed in the discharge ola function
for which the Government was never
designed, do not wait the slow develop
ment of time. Their effect upon the
subjected South is daily disaster. We
are training future citizens by the worst
possible instruction, and every month
a persistence makes the evil palmer.
It is manifest that under the expert
ences of this long delay, and of unrepub-
lican life under military restraint, the
temper Of the Southern people has be-
come much less commendable than it
was at the conclusion of active hostili
ties; that the work Of true Reunion has
grown more difficult, and that the per-
lis Of our condition only increase, it is
| for you, therefore, to ask whether the
reasons for this delay are sufficient, and
whether the new conditions imposed by
Congress, are likely to prove final rem
edy.
The manner IN which theA conditions
in the form OF an amendment to the Ma
tional Constitution, have been presented,
not only to the people of the South, but
| 10 J,n nation yyiti,n1ft r,yenn..pnf
For the first time in the history of this
Government, substantive propositions,
without connection, have been united
in one amendment, and the people have
been denied the opportunity of free
choice concerning each. The first sec
ton of this single article defines citizen
ship of the United States. The second
lays down basis of representation.
The third ism the following words: "No
person shall be q Senator or Represen-
tative in Congress, or eleetor Of Presi
dent or Vice President, or hold any Of
flee, civil or military, under the United
States, OF any State, who, having preVi-
ously taken an oath as a member of
Congress, or as an officer Of the Legisla-
ture, or as an Executive or Judicial Off
Ger of any State, to support the Consti-
tuition Of the United States, shall have
been engaged in rebellion against the
same, or given aid and comfort to the
enemies thereof. But Congress- may,
by a vote Of two thirds Of each House,
remove such a disability
The effect of each of these utterly dis
connected propositions is made to de-
pend upon the acceptance Or rejection
of the whole. 1t seems Incredible that
those who insisted upon thus connecting
4ha,,, could ho1ra G\-rfaafnl ihat thnxy
would be ratified. The Southern peo-
pie, after following their political lead
ers into the Struggle, and sharing the
risk of their fate through four years of
| terrible war, are called upon to aid i'll
their prescription. Whatever punish
ment their leaders may deserve at the
| hdads Of the Government, It is unintelli
gible that statesmen should have dream
ed of asking their associates and follow
ers to inflict that punishment upon them;
especially punishment OF lasting dis
grace, more terrible than any which the
Government itself is authorized to inn
pose. If, in the midst OF their errors,
the people of the South retain the ordi-
nary fidelity of comrades in arms to
each other, the common sentiment of
honor which rules all companionship,
they will not voluntarily desert the men
whom they have voluntarily and stead
lily followed amid so many perils. They
will not accept this third section of the
amendment, and they are forbidden to
accept the others without it. We be-
lieve that the only effect of such a prop
osition will be II prolonged exclusion of
the South from the practice of self-gov-
eminent and the training of patriotism.
But if they could be persuaded OF con-
strained to accept it, we are at a loss to
perceive the benefit to be derived from
it, because no act of Congress, nor any
thing contained in the proposed amend
ments, give any pledge or assurance
that the adoption Of those amendments
will secure the admission OF loyal repre-
sentatives from the Southern States
(now excluded) or the recognition Of
their constitutional relations to the Gov
ernment of the United States. The pre-
amble and resolutions adopted in the
case Of Tennessee does not commit Con-
gress TO the restoration OF the Union,
should their example be followed at once
by every other seeded State.
1t is evident from the course pursued
by the extreme men who urged these
"A i1,t to.