The national Republican., 1866-07-10
Ics.,Inp.d from FIrrs p,s.. ]


TCoatinusd from Flrst psgs.l ID.
about eight millions, one half Of whom are
loyal, and one fourth Of tho remaining half
swearing fidelity TO the Government q. y
They must, indeed, be tirnid who fear that
one eighth or sixteenth Of the entire popula-
tion Will rule the country. ..,-., -.
For one, believe this country belongs to
the people, and that they are capable Of gov
cannot believe that the whole white pop
ulation, under the Constitution and laws, are
unable to maintain and perpetuate the Gov
ernment of cur fathers. The idea that this
Union can only be saved and secured against
overfhrows by extending suffrage to the
negroes seems incredible, and yet this is the
security sought by many, and is, perhaps, the
principal obstruction to an immediate restora-
ton. s--'ta ~"'F thHafIf
SHALL REBELS VOTE?
A sufficient answer to this is, the Consti-
tuition confers no power on the General Gov.
ernrnent 10 prescribe the qualification OF
voters within any State. This power be-
longs to the States alone. Whether suffrage
shall be allowed TO those who were in the re-
bellion Is q question for the decision Of the
poso legal voters Of each State. But it may
be said that the report or the reconstruction
committee proposes 70 disfranchise such by
constitutional amendment, and it is now a
question whether the practical restoration
shall be delayed indefinitely, awaiting the
adoption Of the resolutions Of that committee,
until at least twenty-seven States, by their
respective Legislatures, shall consent to their
adoption; until all the States but nine shall
adopt the same. Who can tell how long il
will be until the twenty-seven States will
adopt the resolutions Who knows that
loyal Indiana will adopt themY
IT, after waiting their adoption by the
requisite number OF States two, three, or more
years, the consent Of the States cannot be
obtained, what then shall be done2 Shall the
eleven States still remain unrepresented in
Congress, and be denied their proper elect
oral vote in the presidential electionf Will
the passions be allayed and animosites as
suaged by such delayi Will the Southern
people become more kindly disposed and
loyal to the Government viii trade, com.
meree, and our financial condition be i'm
proved thereby VIII not q financial crisis
resultf Will not our national Indebtedness
be increasedr Will not our ability to enforce
the Monroe doctrine be greatly impaired?
With what propriety could we ask those
States TO aid the Government in a foreign
war? What would be their probable response
TO such an invitation?
THE NATIONAL AND REBEL DEBTS.
The first all parties seem inclined to pay;
the second none expect to be paid. Although
it seems to be work Of supererogation, few
persons would object to constitutional
amendment barring the payment Of the rebel
debt. The objection is to delaying the work
Of restoration, awaiting the tardy process Of
constitutional amendments.
REPRESENTATION BASED on SUFFRAGE.
To an amendment OF the Constitution bas-
ing representation on actual voters, the
President does not object; but is perfectly
willing to the submission Of such PROPOSE
ton to oil the States for adoption or rejec-
ton; but he does object to virtually disfran-
chising eleven States and importing the
peace Of the Union until the adoption Of any
proposed constitutional amendment by three
fourths Of the State Legislatures. 1t is said tru-
ly that those States under the Constitution as
it is" will have gained in representation in
Congress, by the abolition Of slavery. This
gain. however, was not sought by them, and
was well known to us before we determined
to relieve them from the burden Of slavery.
There is an inequality in this manner which
hope may soon be remedied, but it is con-
stitutional one, and not the only consttu-
tional inequality, for the State Of Maine has
as large representation in the United States
Senate as the State of New York with three
voters to Names one. Why is it that we
hear no clamor for equality Of representation
in the Senate Of the United States, based on
population or vOtersf Is it feared that the
power of New England might be diminished
therebyf II we are to have no Union until
perfect equality, based on population, or
votes in one House Of Congress, why not
also in the otherf The apportionment now
- ia ,ptnlST1 II, ha
time the desired constitutional amendment
can be adopted. At all events let the Union
be restored at once. ......Yra
WHY HAVE NOT TRAITORS BEEN HUNG?
Those who put this question seem not to
know that criminals, including traitors, can
only be tried in the State where the crime
was committed. The President is neither
q Grand Jury to indict, nor Judge or jury
to try and convict criminals. He can only
order the War Department to deliver over
to the civil authorities prisoners when legally
demanded. This great nation cannot afford
to shock the civilized and christian world by
the murder of any criminal, however great
his crimes, by the Chief Executive executing
him, in violation Of all law. Those who
clamor for this, are the same who denounced
Gen. Sherman as a traitor for his terms
with Gen. 10. johnson, and Gen. Grant for
his acceptance OF tne surrender OF zen. Lee,
on the terms agreed upon between the two
Generals. No President and no General
can satisfy that order Of mind.
Having briefly noticed such points as a
short hour twill permit without intending to
misrepfesent, or do any injustice to any, |
do not taattermysef that the views expressed
will meet the approval Of all those who love
the Union Allow me again to repeat that
President Johnsons policy Of restoration re-
quires the admission Of loyal members Of
Congress without any delay awaiting consti-
tutiOnal amendments. This plan is so plain
and simple that none need misunderstood it.
It's opponents, as yet, have no plan Of their
own on which they can agree. In this mat
ter, as in many others, delays are danger
Gus. / predict the Congress will fail to
agree on any plan that will meet the ap-
proval of the country In the great eager
ness to find fault with President johnson,
blame and censure have been heaped upon
him for expressing, in answer to interroga-
tion, his desire that in elections, those who
snstain his administration should be elected.
Would II be natural for him to desire the
election Of those who oppose it?
Ifthe harmony ofthe National Union party
4 "a. = 4