The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1866-11-13
NORTHERN SENTIMENT.


For the purpose of letting our readers see the
opiaioas of Northern papers, we select the fol-
lowing extracts concerning the proposed Consti-
tntional amendment, &c. 1t seems, by the late
elections, that the Northern people have en-
phatically endorsed the action of Congress:
From the New York Herald. -
We must repeat, then, to the Southern States
our earnest admoBition that the terms Of this
constitutional amendment are the best they can
obtain; that their true policy is to get back into
Congress as fast as possible on the credentials
of this amendment, which will bring them in;
aud that if they permit this golden opportunity
to slip away they will run the hazard of sweep
ing penalties against treason and traitors, and
of universal negro suffrage by compulsiou. The
constitutional amendment, in word, as the ul-
timatum of the North, Is the only way of safety
to the South. 1t-a sirfse
From the N. Y. Evening Post.
The people, in the recent elections, have
shown that they are determined upon the adop-
ton of the proposed amendment, from them
there is no appeal. With the ratification of the
amendment the people will demand and insist
upon the admission of the Southern States to
representation, no matter what may be the de-
q
ly hope now is that the Southern States will
conform to the advice OF extreme men aud jour-
nails in the South, and reject the amendment.
From the Chicago Post.
We desire to see the Constitutional amend
nent adopted 10 good faith, and the Union re-
stored. But SO long as the South keeps alive
its bitter and rebellious spirit, it is utterly un-
fit to take part in the government But it is
hop kha
offered are spurned,' more stringent ones will
assuredly be imposed.
From the Chicago Journal.
Let Northern Legislatures as they assemble,
proceed with the work of ratifying the amend
ment, and We do not doubt that, in spite of the
hostility of the President and the copperhead
party, enough Southern Legislatures will be
found to accept it to make it part of the Con-
stitution, and thus complete the work Of reor-
gaaization.
From the Milwaukee "Wisconsin"
The Constitutional amendment equalizing re-
presentation, really offers a premium to the
Southern States to grant suffrage to the freed
men, but it does not force it upon them 10 any
other mode than in clearly proving that it is for
their interest to act thus literally.
From the Boston Traveller. s..s
There is nothing tyrannical or cruel in the
amendment. 1t is the most merciful programme
ever adopted and rus forth by the victors in a
mighty civil war, and the vaDquished well know
this to be the fact. That it is unpalatable We
can understand; but it is not half SO bitter as
we might have made it had we followed the
dictates Of strict justice, as it would have
been made by any other people. The only ef-
feet of our forbearance has been the revival Of
insolence, not because we are tyrants, but be-
cause we have refused to allow the Southrons
to tyrannze. But, be the amendment what it
may, the South should understand it to be our
last word; and if they refuse it, they must make
up their minds inally to swallow something that
will be lar less pleasing to their palate.
From the Boston Advertiser.
The rebellious States have been fairly defeat
ed aud what is the penalty the victors propose
to enact? had this war taken place 10 the old
world, the South would have been held as
conquered province, would have been ruled by
military governors, and would have been made
besides to pay handsome tribute. 1t would
have met with the fate Of Poland, or even at
the best, it would have been Inundated like
Austria aud forced to pay roundly for the priv
ilege Of being beaten. But, on the contrary,
all that the North asks now is that the States
which have been defeated shall have no more
share in the governing power than they are en-
titled to by their population. They ask that
the Constitution shall be so altered as to cores
pond to the changed state of affairs. This may
be cruelty to PROSTATE foe, but to our judg-
ment it is much more like magnanimity.