Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1866-06-02
fFrOm Harper's Weekly.l
THE TRIAL OF THE GOV
ERNMENT,

ERN VI Emf
The truth is, that, with the utmost
magnanimify and cordial desire Of re-
storing the Union to its normal condition,
there is no considerable number of faith.
full Union men in the country who think
that the late rebel States should be re-
stored 10 their national relations without
further condition. Those who hold nor g
should ne, are the late rebels their Cop
perhead allies, and q very few who have
hitherto acted with u Q Union party. and
of whom Senator COwan OF Pennsylva-
mia, is the representative. These all be.
lieye, with Alexander II. Stephens, that
rs Congress did not consent to Secession.
the seeding States had continuous
right 10 resume al their relations With
the Union ut their pleasure. There Is no
middle ground between this preposterous
opinion and the position Of the faithful
citizens who sustained the war aud elect
Ell Mr.. Lincoln and Mr.. johnson.
AS Mr.. John L. Thomas, Jun, of Ma
rvland, said in his manly and admirable
speech on the 2Ist Of April. "The late
rebels are either to be consulted as TO
what conditions will best please them, or
We are TO make known to them upon
what terms we please 10 receive them
We are either TO exact no guarantees for
future security, or we are to impose such
guarantees as Congress in its wisdom
may deem best fol- the pubic good"
In determining these guarantees there
is no limit TO the authority of the Gov
eminent but its own discretion. The reb
ei forces have surrendered. but the Gov
eminent has not laid down It's arms, snd
General Sheridan assures US that it will
be long before they can be safely relin-
Qaished The right to defend its own
existence against armed assailants. which
is inherent in the Constitution and in the
nature Of Government ITSELF authorized
the Government to wage war against the
rebels, and the authority TO mantain its
security by exacIing guarantees of defeat
ell rebels, Is a necessary part Ofthe same
inherent right. There was no express
verbal provision of the Constitution for
emancipation, or for any other measure
of war, nor for the appointment of Pro
visional Governors BY the President
But the power Of the Government is not
limited by its enemies. It's rightful nc
tion is net subject 20 their discretion =
Because they lay down their arms, they
cqnuot compel the Government to con,
nive at its own subversion. The Union
is restored and the righ's OF the States
resumed, no: when Alexander Il. Ste
phens and the Copperheads say so. but
when tie loyal people of the United
States, in Congress assembled are con-
tent u declare it.
That declaration should only he male
after the most careful investigation and
reflection. 1t is not surprising that the
late insurgent States should still seethe
with angry passions. IL was to be ex
pected that Union men should still! be la
ted and rnaItreated. L; is natural that
men like Henry A. Wise shond continue
10 rave and swear at the Union, against
which they have so long piOttei aud de-
claimed. Il is not strange that conspic
uous rebels should be enthusiastically
elected TO the highest local offices. aud
that men whose hands are still trembling
with the effort to overthrow the Govern
ment should insolentIy denouncs those
who have maintained II at the most cost
" sacrifice as enemies of tho Ccnstitu
ton.
All these things are natural phenome-
ma of the situation. There was no
thoughtful man who did not anticipate
them, and only the foolish are disap
pointed now tbs: they are everywhere
apparent But these phenomena are
contemplated without anger as without
surprise. They serve to admonisb us all
that the conditions upon which States
full Of such spirit may RESUME their ma
tioual relations must be determined with
great sagacity and prudence.