The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1866-12-04

aFOlu tnaI Qnty. Indeed we may see
the ringer of Providence, like our fore
Iatners, IN the past four years, we have
ouilded better than we know. In the
earlier stages of the war how willingly
would an overwhelming majority of
the people have con sented to perpetu-
ate slavery in the republic, If the South
ern traitors had taken from our lips the
bloody chalice of civil war, Which
they compelled us to drain to
its very dregs. God willed it other
wise. At last, when every fam
lily altar had been crimsoned with
blood, and every cemetery and church-
yard was crowded with patriot graves,
the nation rose in a higher duty, and
resolved in these Halls that slavery
should die. Then the stormy clouds
OF war passed away, Gods smile shone
on our banners, victory after victory
blessed our gallant armies, and the.
browning triumph was one that gave
s sal to the Union and freedom to
the slaves. Since that we have been
earnestly struggling for reconstruction
on some enduring and loyal fouuda-
ton. Stumbling-blocks have impeded
our progress, and when Mt last n mild
and magnanimous proposition is made.
emoodylng no conhscation, no banish-
ment, no penalties of offended law, we
are baffled by hardening of heart
against it, inexplicable as it seemed ir-
removable. Does it not seem as if
again the Creator is leading us in
his way rather than our own, and as we
turn for light does it not flash upon us
thathe again requires the nation to con-
quer its prejudices. That as he so far
above us has put all human being I'M
der an equality before divine law and
called them his children, he demands
that we shall put all under an equality
before human law so that every one in
the region personnel by the influence of
II r
be clothed with all the rights necessary
for the fullest and surest protection
against tyranny, outrage and wrong,
and not left detenceleSs at the mercy OF
those who so long exhibited no mercy
to the Government they sought TO des-
troy. The question naturally arises,
how can this be done surrounded by
the able iunstS and patriot statesmen
returning here as they do, crOwned'with
an unparalleled popular endorsement.
1t might not be fitting to anticipate
their arguments on these vital themes
IN the session just opening, but when
the Constitution declares in its opening
sentence that all the legislative powers
herein granted shall be vested in Con-
gress of the United States; when it SOL
EMMY enjoins that the United States
shall guarantee to every State in the
Union republican form of govern
ment; when 1t gives to Congress full au-
necessary and proper for CARRYING into
execution all the powers vested by
this Constitution in the Government
of the United States or in any Depart
ment or officer thereof. The duties and
its exercises both seem to have been
specifically anticipated by the creation
of our supreme law. Since President
johnson declared in May, 1865, that the
rebellion had destroyed all the govern
ment in the rebellious States, Congress
has recognized none of their govern
ments, and established them under
the authority of military law. Except
the rebel DISTINGUISHING government of
the State of Tennessee, it has yet 10 set
tie the question under the oaths of its
members to support and defend the
Constitution; whether those provincial
and unrecognized governments in
which those who have been the bitterest
enemies of the Republic are dominant
In the executive, judicial and legislative
departments; where to have been a SOL
dier of the Union, either living or dead.
is reproach; where devotion to the lost
cause of treason is openly avowed is the
guarantee OF popular favor; where the
colors and the heroes of the rebellion
are enthusiastically hailed.