New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-05-19
LETTER FROM ROBERT DALE OWEN.
Shall There be GNarantirs for the Future, or Shall
Restoration be UncOndiiiOnal'
THE DISTINGUISHING SECTION.
Shall Each State be Admitted as il RatifeS the Con-
stitutiOnal Amendment!
To ne Editor Of Tie NJ T. Tribune.

SIR: take exception. in these days, to no con-
arees OF opinion touching the proper mode OF restoring
harmony the late begeen sections OF our country
That is problem which may the best energies OF the
among u.s. and regard TO the solution OF which the
abost may differ But the before is difficult Is
not hopeless not firmly believe doubtful have faith
in the people, have faith stronger STILL that God who for
sock in gloom Of the Rebellion, will guide US now
when combat changed from the field Of battle to
the election precinct ard the legislative hall
The essential is that approach this great subject In
fitting spirit II avsls nothing to talk about the enormy OF
secession and the condn punishment merits The punish
Of nations is in other hands than 1.-THE judgments
Of God have already stamped Slavery sin and treason
against beneiccnt government crime. In vain are the
efforts of man in that direction.
Nor let IN Indignation forfeit how that sin OF Slavery
the cause Of The Rebellion originally upon the South
against her will against her solemn protest In Decem
Der mo the King Gea, Britain COMMANDED the Governor
Virginia. under pain the highest dspeasure 70 assent
law prohibiting the Importation Of slaves virginia In
April l772 addressed the King IN remonstrance saying TO
him these remarkable words 1.-The importation Of slaves
trade great nhumany viii endanger the existence of
your MGesiys American dOminions Maryland and Caro-
lima followed that lead.
But aside from this what unphloophica and unjust as
the spirit OF the Pbarsee IL due geographical accident
that horn sayehoiers in the City Of Charleston
Dare assert that II had been, should have been
ulster men than thsy-ore scrupuous about living by the
labor Of oher Shall stand up the temple OF our own
selfrgheousness and say; God thank Thee that we
are other meD these Sonth CaroniansF
We never Indeed orgeGod forbid that should -
the terrible consequences OF the hardhps the suf
rrings the lives parents and widows bereavcd. the
countless Thousands Of bones made desoate among u.s. But
evils fgiure better BELTS Christian people
ayenge injuries Of the past Lot as learn OF the de-
pised and the owly. Is oBy who have injuries to re-
qute What suferings during the war compared
he
against the millions OF Southern slaycs Bot though tho iron
entered their souls did they return evil for evil Did
they forget the day Of liberation dswaod the words OF
the Vengeance is mine will saith the Lordf
II there be among people revsngefa clement let Us
pander it, II impose conditions before We restore
political rights those who defyng law and Constitution BY
force OF became public ensmes it ought to be in de-
fense in rcqual
1--WE impose conditions" To dispasscnae looker-on 1t
must seem strange that here In the North that should be
question all Al the close Of four years embttered war
producing radical change in tho legal and social condition
OF four millions Of people creating two vast antagonlstic
public debts, ard enang thousand dyersites OF Interest
between millions one aide and millions the oher-it
would be thing incredible that Government could DO
properly safely resumed without stipulation or precaution
a. nothing had happened such jgncture in our ma
ona affairs wise precautionary measures are rs sfc"y
dictate OF duty they clearly matter OF right
As the right ais the space prescribe to myself
forbds more than few words II deemed it more
necessary Than DO formally to argus question so plain
shall therefore, here broaoh the speculative inquiry
what Is the precise legal Of tie late nsgrgen States
A technical view OF great subject Is always con-
traoed Questions involving tie life or death OF nations
arc not decided By drawn theories Coed Abraham Lin
with that sagacogs common sense which marked the
mar when abiding The i speech he made to the
disputed point whether re seeded States are In the Union
or ont % it, sad TIA. question has not been nor yet s
practically ru,era one and any discussion OF il while 1t
thus remains practically mnaerla have other effect
than tho mischieyous use Of dividing friends"
Neither shall any Inquiry 10 power At this
time impose conditions precedent TO restoration IL By the
sacrifoe Of lives aad 3OoOo10O Of treasure the
North Ia. not won right to decide what guarantees
are needed future the per and suerngs Of the
past then chapters Wa and Peace In the code OF Inter
national Law ar. mich waste paDer then rights can
10 obtained by c0aqges then the sword awoh!es weapon
fitted only g. destroy ngoteni 10 save.
Ere We DENY suoh right mus. blot from the books some
~ the hes, known snd most universally recognized prin
ces OF public We must reject the accepted doctrine
that civil war IL subject the general rules as foreign
war or refuse 10 assent to what every publies
OF repue has forth land what sense suggests IS
among the most important national rights and duties the
rule namely thu: nation especially victorious nation ought
to protect itself only against immediate but against pros
peciiye dangers Deriving all right attendant on conque'
from ustilsbs selfdefcnse." Vatta says
when tho cosqueror has subdned hostile nation he may
II prudence so require render her incapable OF doing mischief
state lies at stake preauton and foresight cannot be ex
tended far Mas we delay 90 avert our rum III II las os
for our future safety by depyng the unjust aggrsor Of the
means Of injaring as-Ysisl Book ILL.,. S POI, a. a5
To u.s. and no. the "unnst aggressor who appealed to
the wager OF and lost belongs at this time the right to
decide what guarantees needed for the public safety and
bow tina, uniu shall be rendered incapable OF
doing mischief with tho in tho future Dearly we
paid Tor that right We shall commit folly unparalleled In
the annals OF nations If We neglect to use It,
Bot II all things awful for all things are not expei
emit Thus hou due time mus. be taken for the maturing
and contamination Of precautionary yet on tue
other hand one section OF Republic containing fourth Of
s inhabitants c,nnot except for season safely be shut out
from Federal representation Therefore the political rights Of
the States lately inurreoon should be restored 10 them at
tho earliest day consistently with the peace and safety Of tie
country.
The dangers attendant on unconditional restoration. which
threaten that peace and safety to three in numbers
| two Of a political the other Of financial character
First The difficulty partly solved by the war but remaining
| open yet on certain points. growing ont ofraoe
On one branch OF this subject little need be said Except by
the hopelessy preudced Is conceded that In Republic al
reemen no matter Of What must be secured IN what are
called civil right. As to the mode OF comforting the man
nor OF enforcing opinions may der but tue prioope sen
denied BY party deserving the name Men are agreed that
e negro not 10 exist among outlaw debarred from
owning land excluded from the witnebor from court, OF
law or from the rights Of the testator subjected to punish
| nents from which other are exempt.
But the question of sutge remains-a more embarrassing
question My preference not for immediate universal
suffrage but for Constitutional provision looking to the a'
ture suffrage then BE- qualified each State may elect but
without discrimination Of race perhaps thus
SEC - Prom aud after the fourth day OF July 1876 no
shall be made by State nor py tue United
States enjoyment BY glasses Of persons c the sh
NJ
Vitude
Po.nectYe ennaifr OF suffrage with nOyitIate Of ton