The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-09-04

country" that they would not wage the war
for the purpose Of conquest or subjuga-
ton" or Of overthrowing or interfering
with the rights or established institutions Of
those states;' and they declared that their
object was "to preserve the Union, with all
the dignity. equality, and rights Of the sew
eral States unimpaired."
Here was solemn pledge given to the
nation Immediately after the disastrous bat
tie Of Bull Run, for the purpose Of inspiring
confidence among the people and promoting
unity Of action. There was lurking fear
among large masses Of the people Of the
North that the war would be waged as an
abolition war, solely for the destruction Of
slavery. The passage Of this resolution al
layed those fears, and the people, without
distinction Of party, rushed to the support Of
the Government. Aye, more; for time,
party was thrown into the background and
lost sight Of The people believed these men
were honest and sincere in their profess
sons and pledges, and rushed to the rescue.
Messrs STEVENS and SUMNER, however,
were not parties to this pledge. They, how
ever, did not then dare oppose its being
given. They have grown bslder since, and
are now the leaders in the great movement
OF reputation OF that pledge-they are now
using oil their power and abilities to cause
the American Government to break its
plighted faith to the country.
The abolitionists were dissatisfied with
the positions assumed by The PRESIDENT and
Congress as to the objects Tor which the war
should be waged. The New YORK tribune
TOOK the lead In the work OF disorganizauon
and bowling Tor abolition. FRExoNrs procla-
nation OF abolition appeared Aug. 3o' 1901
and Gen. HUNTERS appeared May y, 1867.
The PRESIDENT revoked those proclamations,
but all his efforts could not renew commence,
hence the Democratic victories OF 1867, IN
New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and
Illinois. Having driven Mr.. LINCOLN to the
issuing Of his emancipation pfoclamatio9o or
rather, believing that they had forced MIN
to issue It, we md, in 1868, CHARLES Sun
NER and THADDEus STEVENS boldly avowing
the doctrine Of State suicide, and the deter
mination to wage the war for conquest and
subjugaton, and when the South was con-
quered to govern it as conquered territory"
As Mr.. LINCOLN did not believe in such doc
trines, and was unwilling to wage the war in
any such spirit they waged q bitter war on
him, and tried their best to defeat his re-
nomination and reelection. The contest of
1864 was entered upon with the issue well
made up. Mr.. LINCOLN had taken the pre-
liminary steps towards recognizing the State
governments of Louisiana, Arkansas and
Tennessee. His plan of reconstruction as
set forth in his amnesty proclamation of De-
cember 8, 1868, was before the people. Con-
gress, under the lead of STEVENS HENRY
WINTER DAVIS, SUMNER and WADE passed q
bill providing for recognizing the States in
rebellion and limiting the powers of THE
PRESIDENT. These men assumed that the
power belonged to Congress to reorganze and
provide for the re-admission of the rebel
States into the Union. The PRESIDENT We
toed the WADE and DAVIS bill, and told the
American people that while there were some
good features in that plan there were some
yery objectionable ones: and further. that he
ala not wish IN bo tod aou,,, ,o an, 90
~ .o"H " my '"0
plan OF Reconstruction; that ne should use
such portions of the WADE and DAVIS plan
,l L.. l. Ii; NTH
pieaSeu "iin' IN pam hnsiiSh ne 'r'u.
any told mem that ne considered himself
vested with the power, under the Constitu.
ton and laws, to recognize such govern
ments as he pleased as the legitimate and
legal governments of those States.
All will recollect the celebrated WADE
and DAVIS manifesto, in which Mr. LINCOLN
was denounced as usurper, &c. The rage
of these men knew no bounds, and the con-
test of 1864 for some time was very doubt
full. The people, however, were true and
ABRAHAM LINCOLN was sustained and his
policy was endorsed. The radicals ,oere de-
feated fairly before the people.
In June, 1864, the question of the admis-
sion of Senators from Arkansas was before
the Senate, and their credentials were re-
ferred to the Judiciary Committee, with but
little discussion. In that discussion, Hon.
~ .