The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-10-02

THE POLITICAL SITUATIoN.-The election for
members of Congress and State officers takes
place to day in Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana and
several other Northern States. If, in these cleo
TONS the friends of President Johnson's policy
do not gain enough members of Congress to pre-
vent what is called the Radical party from having
two thirds in the next Congress and overriding
the Presidents vetoes, we may expect trouble in
the country, and probably anarchy and war; un-
less tue difficulty can be averted by the Southern
States accepting what is known as the Howard
amendment and thusgetting their Representative
and Senators in their seats. After the result of
these elections are known the Southern people
can decide to the course they ought to pursue
Parties at the North are divided into three
classes. lst the friends of President Johnson's
policy. which is to admit into Congress imme-
diately Southern representatives who can take
the test oath. Cd, the moderate Republicans
who contend that the South shall adopt the pro-
posed Howard amendment to the Constitution of
the United States before her Representatives are
admitted. Sd, the Radicals, headed by such men
as Thaddeus Stevens, who favor abolishing the
present Southern State Governments. putting US
back under Provisional Governors. and compe-
ing us TO re organize and permit the negroes to
vote. and also compel US to pay the whole ex-
pense of the late or have all our property
confscated
At the last session of Congress law was passed
providing that soon as any of the Southern
States adopt the Howard amendment they shall
be entitled to representation in Congress. The
provisions of this amendment are as follows:
/. That all persons born or naturalized in the
United States are citizens thereof and of the
States in which they reside. and on footing of
equality in regard to their civil rights.
2. That the enumeration of the people for rep
resentation in Congress shall be abridged in pro-
portion to the abridgement of the right of suffrage
in any State on account of race color. The
question to whet er the negro shall vote is left
with each State, but if the negro is not allowed
to vote the representation in Congress for such
State shall be based on white population or actual
voters. .-..-.-. --s.. ....
3. Every man who ever took oath Gas an Of
fccr Of the Federal or State gorernmeats) to sup
port the Constitution of the United States. and
who afterwards aided the South in the late war
shall not be eligible to any Office, unless relieved
Of such disability by two.thirds vote of Con-
gross. [Such persons are not deprived of their
vote, but of the privilege of holding office unless
Congress relieves them or repeats the law. This
clause does not prescribe lawyers. for. although
they took an oath to support the Constitution of
the United States they are not o0fcers
A. That the national debt shall be held
sacred, and that all Confederate debts and obi
cations shall be utterly repudiated and held illegal
and void
S. That Congress shall have power to enforce
the provisions of this article.
We have tried TO state the provisions of this
amendment that the people may understand
them, for we feel assured that if the Radicals get
the same power in the next Congress they had in
the last, we shall have to decide whether we will
adopt the amendment run the risk of having
Mr. Stevens plan of provisional government, con-
fscation, &C., forced upon
We fear that the day is not far distant when
the Southern people must make the choice. We
have all along contended for the Presidents
policy because think it more just and fair TIL
any other; but if the President fails to obtain
power sufficient to enforce his scheme. the ques-
ton is what ought we, people. to do 1t
will remain for people to decide for what will
be the fate of one will be the fate of ALL
For our own part say that rather than
have our State governments abolished. negre
suffrage forced upon US, the property of our PEG
pie confscated deprecated on by squads of
soldiers, and the women and children starved to
death or rendered houseless and homeless. we
would prefer the adoption of the proposed amend
mrnt. We are deeply interested in the welfare
of the country any man. hearts, with the
South, and here in North Carelma expect to
live and die
In view of the uncertain condition of public
affairs, and the difficulties which threaten US, we
advise that candidate for the Legislature pledge
himself to any particular course. bat that he be
free to act as the exigences of the times may de-
mand after the Legislature assemblies. Let US
send good TO the Legislature, but re:
spectfully suggest that it would be the best policy
for them TO go unpledged. Above all. let US be
cautious and prudent. and preserve peace among
ourselves.
CoTTON.-The late advance in the price of Cot
ton is timely and beneficial to those who have