Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1866-07-20
Chairman Union State Central COMMITTEES nm
EXECUTIVE MANSION.

Int tlhSe@hOu VI ClItbg all extra session
of the Legislature, to ratify the amendments
proposed by the Congress of the United
States, has been carefully considered. As
soon as Congress finally passed the amepd-
ments, l consulted with the Governors of
several of the different States by telegraph,
with the view Of securing immediate and
concerted action in ratifyiug them-6eliev-
ing that such course might hasten the
great end to be attained by their incorpora
tlen into our organic law. But the propo-
sition was not received with the favor antic-
ipated, and it now seems settled that there
will be no general action of the States to
ratity by extra session, even if Pennsylvania
should do so. TO call an extra session IN
this State, therefore, would not In any degree
hasten the adoption Of the amendments by
sufficient number of the States.
The issues involved in the adoption of the
amendments proposed, for the ratification
of the States, are not new They are .ques-
ttGns which were considered and discussed
during the whole progress of the war; The
people have had abundant opportunity to
consider them, and | do not doubt have
definitely made up their minds on them
After it was ascertained that there could be
peace and union only by the utter d .Sruc-
ton of the military power of traito' :, who,
whilst there was the remotest hope of the
dismemberment of the Government, would
entertain no terms OF adjustment other than
the severance OF the States, aud peace was
restored only after the yal0r Of our armies
and the fidelity Of our people had disarmed
treason by the capture Of its military forces,
and the complete overthrow Of those who
had usurped the forms of government In
the rebellious States, and thus compelling
uSto accept the terrible arbtrament OF the
sword TO rescue the Republic from those who
had committed eight millions Of people to
compass its destruction, and having saved it
at an lncalculable sacrifice Of blood and of
treasure, it well becomes the people to pro-
vide for its welfare in the future, so that
those who shall live after us may enjoy the
blessings of our free Government without
the recurrence of discord and fraternal strife
in this we should be humane and also just.
While we should be magnanimous to a re-
claimed people, who are to form an integral
part Of our nation, we should also guard all
sections against tho possibility of renewed
attempts to dismember the Union. There
must be some penalty for crime that has
desoIated our land, ridged it with untimely
graves, bereaved almost every household,
and staggered us with debt For a crime so
heavy there nust be some monuments Of
justice as a warning &c mankind of the fate
which awaits those who, actaated hy passion
or ambition, may hereafter seek to destroy
the noblest and best Government on eacth.
Congress hrs no more than met the de-
mands of a loyal people in the proposed
amendments. As basic of reconstruction.
they must be regarded by all dispassiolate
men as remarkable only for their magnaii-.
proposed to admit t0 fuh citizenship Ginety.
niue one -hundredths of those who erimsoned
their hands in the blood of their brethren Il
give anarchy to d continent ic provide
that those who have added perjury to trea-
son IN the sanctuary Of both military and
civil power, shall hereafter be unable to
repeat their treason against our Institutions,
while all others were restored to full fellow
ship, is policy whose generosity could
enlanate only from government as free aud
as strong as ours. 70 put all the States
upon an equality as to the basis of repre-
sentation, is not only reasonable. but neces-
sary. Before the rebellion three fifths a
the slaves were counted in estimating renre-
sentative population. Slavery having been
abolished, the slave States, unless the Con
stltntion be amended as proposed, will lie
entitled to add two-fifths of their late slaves
in estimating their representative porula-
ton. Surely we have not carried on a bloody
war for four years merely to give the rebel
lions States an increase of political power
That these States shall have 10 more repre-
sentation, in proportion to their voting pop
ulation, than the old free States have, is
proposition SO just, that It would seem to
be impossible for any freeman of Pennsyl-
wanna to object to an amendment to prevent
such result
1t is just and equitable 10 every sense,
and, while it leaves The question of suffrage
wholly with the States, where it properly
belongs, it makes every appeal to the inter
ests and pride Of the States to liberalize
their policy, and give TO all classes the benefit
of American civilization.
That all persons Of whatsoever class, con-
dition or color, should be equal in civil
rights before the law, is demanded by the
very form of our Government and it is
bllstering stain upon our nationality that
slavery has been enabled, even until the
noontide of the nineteenth century to deform
our civil policy, and id many States to deny
equal justice to large class Of people To
maintain our national credit, our faith With
our wounded and brave soldiers, and to for
bid the assumption of any part of the debt
contracted for the rebellion, are propositions
too clearly in harmony with the purposes of
the people and the solemn duty of the Gov
ernment, to require elucidation.
These are the issues involved in the pro,
posed amendments. They are intended as
guarantees in the future against the renewal
of wrongs already suffered. But they are,
in fact, elements which should have entered
into our organic law when the Government
was framed, in express terms, as they did in
its true spirit To effect their adoption, and
the restoration of the States lately in rebel
lion, upon the terms proposed, at the earliest
possible period, is my earnest desire aud to
that end my humble efforts viii be given
with untiring zeal to the advocacy Of the
proposed amendments, and the support of
the candidates who are identified with them.
am glad to know that the great Union
party that has guided the Government so
faithfully, even in the darkest hour of the
war, and through whose instrumentality the
measures were devised to preserve our
beloved Union, is cordially united in the
support of these amendments. as also is our
distinguished candidate for Gnvernor- Gen.
Geary
Yielding to no one in veneration for the