The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1866-07-12
,,,,,a Tofes of the Southern States to
~ H. Connted IN the PresittenSiuy
TJprfiON.


rbe National Republican as if speak
.,a with the full authority Of the Presi-
lh7 declares in substance, that the
aonthern States shall be counted in the
RESIDENTIAL election of 1868 and predicts
tI,at any attempt to prevent them from
ss.25sarrisiiIg their usual influence in choos-
mo a President would provoke a con-
aief unite as .irrepressible.' if not as
bloody, as that which has Just termina-
The article in the Republican de-
noances the Radicals as having concoc-
wi conspiracy against the Govern
.aenf Their opposition to the Presi-
aant,s plan of restoration, and advocacy
y . ridiculous plan of their own, is ci-
ta3 ~ a proof. cit is not votes of 10y
u senators and Representatives from
iatelv rebel States that Radicals in Con-
lY,.ss are afraid of. Not at all. Their
numbers are TO inconsiderable for that.
p5I the idea &tat u1afeprese1ated State co7a-
nh hare electors Of President and Vice
p5esi3eht' induces them to keep the
southern States unrepresented!
The Republican proceeds then to ar
fne this question for the benefit of such
Radicals, if any there be, as are influ-
onced bv reason and argument. The
5ttempt to disfranchise the South is
nefhinr less than Il conspiracy to over
ride the Constitution under the guise Of
a new construction of the second para
oranh of the first section of article two
IF that instrument, which is in these
words;
manner as the Legislature thereof may
direct, number of electors equal to the
whole number of senators and represen-
tatiyes to which the State may be ent-
tied in the Congress. :,
THAT the clause in question lcontin
aas the Republican, makes the electori-
Il voice of State depend upon wheth-
ar Ii Is represented III Congress or not,
IS construction without any warrant
ia tie text. 1t makes the number of
electors TO correspond With the number
n Senators and Representatives TO
which the State is withdrawing
mere. II does not make their appoint
MeHt depend upon representation in
Congress any more than It makes it de
PEND upon whether Il State has stated
preaching within Its boardefs. And we
think we hazard nothing in saying that
tie construction contended for couldnot
b maintained before any intelligent
eourt.'
Ne conclude our extracts with the
following paragraphs:
Another point in this conspiracy we
understand to be construction OF the
paragraph in the same article relating
q the opening of the certificates by the
PRESIDENT Of the Senate by which it is
concluded that if the President Of the
Senate refuses to open the certificates
rom the eleven States in question, their
electoral votes, be sent to him, Will be
legallystif1ed. We remember that this
question was very generally discussed
N the winter ofSl61, when it was given
Out IN certain quarters that Nice-Presi-
cent Breckenridge did not intend to
open certificates, enclosing the reports
o. electoral votes cast for Abraham Lin
com, and we believe it was then very
generally understood that a candidate
aFing 4 majority Of All the electoral
saSf eAsS il the COLLEGES OF the States.
iAtFe declared ,!ti5i Published, Was en-
AAed to the Office whether the Vice
rTesldent opened the certificates or not!
a.e cannot contemplate any attempt to
stlle the electoral voice of a State by
steh means without the most painful
apprehensions."
coming from the official organ of the
RESIDENT this article is entitled to pro-
pohd consideration. 1t holds out to us
ae nope that if we continue to support
'"e constitution and Union, the Presi
'eiit VIII see to it that we shall have a
VIC vice IN the choice of our next rulers.
"i'h 'he aid ofthe generous and just
ppone of the North we can drive the
mac naalcals out Of power, and, five choose,
leeiect Andrew johnson.
~ l ELI E('TIrAV Ey EvArvoN M. I Aunp