The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1866-07-19


cHhkged conditions and circumstances
ofA9te1E nation. But If IL be said
thar as soon 20 the rebellion was con-
claded, the Senator'S and Representa-
tives OF the rebellious States had an
Immediate right, without condition, to
resume their seals in Congress, how
could any amendment TO the Constitu-
ton be adopted to guard against future
rebellions or the consequences OF the
one from which We have just escapedy
Tweuty Senators from the rcbei States,
added to the present number of Dem.
oeratic membeFe, would constitute
considerably more than one.third OF
that body, and would effectually pre-
vent the adoption Of any amendment,
aud would thus secure TO the Southern
States, perhaps for all time, the gross
aAdawicked inequality of representa-
ton which they now possoss. II it
shah be said that upon the conclusion
of i rebellion, rebels shall have the
right to run from the battlefield, or
from the floor Of a rebel Congress
back to seats in the Congress of the
United Suites, in time TO prevent the
adoption of any amendments to the
Constitution which have been render
ed necessary by the changedcondition
of the country, or the enactment OF
such laws as are required to preserve
the future peace of the country, it is
but to repeat in another form that
rebellion is no o%ffense, and that the
government has nc right to protect
itself from destruction by legislation
or arms.
If, when the Government was try.
ing to borrow money to prosecute the
war, il had been announced that as
soon as the wal was over, the question
of making appropriations TO pay the
interest on the money borrowed would
be~,relerred to the votes Of rebel Con.
gressmen, / ask how much money
could have bean borrowed If, when
we were calling for volunteers to I'll
up the loyal armies, it had been pro
claimed that the first effect of putting
down tho rebellion would be 10 fill VI
Congress with rebe! mombers, who
would have q right to vote on all ques
tions growing out Of the war; on al
questions Of reconstruction, bounties
pensions, and military honors, ! ask
how many volunteers could have beer
obtained?
And l submit as n general prcposi
ton that rebellion cannot be discour
aged, treason made odious, loyalty en-
couraged, and patriotism rewarded, il
when q rebellion has been suppressed
rebels are admitted to make laws TO
the loyal and administer the affairs o
Government they have just failed u
destroy.
The position l am combating is all
horrcnt TO the common sense of cv
cry man, and violative of every princi
pie Of justice, and yet it is that upo
which the Democratic leaders of Ind
ana have planted themselves, an
from which they are going forth I
do battle against the country. l an
for amending tho Constitution so a
to equalize the representation, 70
three casen
/. Because II is a measure Of abso
lutte justice in itself, and removes a
inequality which will DO opprcssiv
and intolerable.
2. Because it would so reduce Ii
power in the Government of tho:
who have been in rebellion, that the
could not, by uniting with a disloy'
faction in Che North, work mischi,
and dishonor TO the nation.
8. Because II would present to I'll
people Of the Southern States an II
ducement to confer political rights
duo time, upon q large negro popult
ton In their midst, which otherwi
they might not concode for many 60
erations.
DEMOCRATIC PURPOSES AND POLICY.
And now let US inquire what mea
ures the Democratic party are for a
firmativoly. 1t is and has been o
posed to whatever the Union party
In favor OF, but has also q positive ar
Affirmative policy which IL is impO
tant that the people should undo
stand. The great and leading meO
ure Of its policy is the immediate a
unconditional admission Of n full re
resentation in both Houses Of Go
gress from the rebel States; that t
test oath shall be repealed; that the
shall be no punishmonts; that tho
shall be no political or civil disabi
ties imposed upon any man who h
been engaged in the rebellion; III
there shall DO no amendment to I
Constitution TO mako II conform to I
changed circumstances Of the matte
that there shall DO no legislation
prevent the recurrence Of future
bcllions; but that Union non and re
els, Union soldiers and rebel soldic
shall be put upon q perfect equali
before the law, and that no honors
rewards shall DO extended to the O
which are not equally bestowed mp
tho other. In proof Of this last pc
ton, let mo refer you to tho notoriC
fact that, in their speeches and ne,
papers they bestow brilliant and gle
ing panegyrics upon tho genius a
virtues OF General Leo, but are sig
ficantly silent about Grant, Shorn
and Sheridan. They weep copiouI
over the memory of Stonewall ia,
son, but have not a tear 10 shod for
untimely deaths Of Lyon, Kearn
Mcpherson and HackIeman. ri
mourn from day to day over the A,
tious sutferings Of jeff. Davis,
have eve vet Expressed n renret