Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-02-23
Reconstruction.

-
tor FeS>enden this week. 1t may not be so
interesting to the younger portion of onr
readers. as the usual story. but to the adult
reader of both sexes. the question of which
ii treats Is interesting and highly import
ant. as it is the question of the hour. How
shall the States lately in rebellion. be got
back into practical relation with the other
States and the Union: This is the question
which at this time is pulling the wise men
of the nation. Many of the best and Wis
est legislators and statesmen do not think
precisely alike on it. Mr.. Fcssenden, an
ancient free soileT. or what used 10 be term
ed ..abolitionist. does not fully agree with
Mr. Sumner; and then 40 ain Mr.. Summers
views do not coincide with those of a ma
inrity of the Union men in the Senate
But we should not be surprised at this di-
eergenee of views of the members OF the
same party. for the questions which belong
to- and are part of the paramount one.
that of reconstruction. pr -. are new and
novel. and ii will take time, and much dis
cu>Siou with the light which the current
history of events can throw upon them. TO
make all see eye to eye. Ii the President
does not quite agree with Mr.. Sumner. and
Mr.. sumner does not quite agree with the
other distinguished mca who must act in
the matter sooner or later. il does not fol-
low. therefore that the Union party Is
broken up. or that its members generally,
may not. or will not eventually agree. Mi.
FesSenden. and the committee OF Which he
i chairman. have reported an amendment
to the Constitution. one which he and the
committee think can he carried. and he adj
yocate> it, passage. not rs being just what
he would like. but as being the best that
can be put forth with hope of Success
Herein he i practical and wise. Some Of
the Senators, however, denied the right OF
the Committee on reconstruction to report
npOn a question of amendment to the con-
stitu.ion because the committee was form
ed TO sit upon and report upon other mat
rcrs. The reply of Senator Fessendcn was
that the Committee should report on all
matters referred to it, and therefore the re-
port which led to the speech. 1t is true
that this may not be quite in the line of the
duties pertaining to a committee on recon-
struction. hut il is so nearly allied TO such
duties. that the matter was referred to it,
and notice had 10 be taken of it.
But a, to the question which makes the
heading of th, article. how can we expect
all to agree: Mr.. Stearns who had the i'll
teryicw with the President last fall and be-
fore the sitting of Congress, reports him as
saying;
We ms, not be in too much of hur-
~; it is better TO let them rcconstruc, them
selves than 10 force them To it; for. ii they
90 Nron@. the power is in our hands, and
we can check them AZ any stage, to the end
and oblige them to correct their errors.
So time may work out all the seeming
puzzles of to-day, and make the path of
dHfy plain. Ii there were no disloyal pco-
pie in the late rebel States, if public senti
meut was al right. and the leading men
were we'll disposed to the government,ther
could be no difficulty in arranging this now
great and difficult matter of reconstruction
for il would settle itself. or the people there
would settle it, and on Il right basis. and ut
an early day.