New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-15
THE CONS TITUTIONAL AMENDMENT-WHI
OPPOSED

The traditional repugnance OF a certain parsonage
to holy water is no greater than that of the Johnson
ties 10 the Constitutional Amendment proposed by
Congress as basis Of restoration for the States lately
in Instruction They realize its fairness-they can
not deny that it is usyet they cavil at 1t as DIS
tasteful to the Rebels. Thus says The N. y Times:
1.-THE opinion Of liberal Republicans regard to the Con-
sutiona Amendment well expressed by Mr. Beecher To
the provisions OF the amendment judged Simply on us merits
slider il sicsy Just and reasonable and would have
been glad to witness settlement OF the ye4ed g1espn
restoration upon this basis They have he however ta
should BE- sonSh By wholesome ana persistent mord hsa
only and should not be made either test 70 De ehacleu
tie South dsabtic By way Of punishment Hayog thrown
question into the shape Of an amendment UPON Weh e
South in with other parts of the country Is asked 70
pronounce no excuse remained treating 1t condition;
precedent of restoration The constitutional character anu
fights Southern States In fact recognized when tne
amend nen was submitted to them for raiheaon ana Con
gress placed Itself in the wrong when eommed lses 70
other agencies than moral agitation for the attainment OF us
object Fro that moment Congress became the prosecutor
tho innovnor. the partisan and unjust judge. A., -
why should there be hesitancy IN accepting tne con
ousion ut which Mr. has arrived Granting as be
contends. that the amendment is Just and reasonable
IL n o their own sense duty the influence Of moral agta
ton and the kindly considerations that ou have followed
period have agreed to all that IL practical 10 INC anemu
men aud to than the amendment includes Inc
chance OF this destroyed when the amendment was con
vered into and punishment The spirit oil the people
rcyoed ans what to them, seems usurpatloS injustice,
VI '"N'
ment ceased"
This is the DID, old story. What you propose Is
right, but you must MT press it noT. Let the Rebels
have their own wrong way now, and perhaps they
will conclude to be just by-andby. Buff you annoy
and rrtate Them they will get ugly and refuse to be
reconstructed anyhow. Try the soothing system on
them-they can't stand any other If the argument
Is good at all, it is quite good against the anti
Slavery amendment against that now pending.
What we seek through the Amendment Is not
punishment" nor any thing of the kind, but justice
and security for the rights of the Southern Unonsts'
of whatever color The completeness of the National
triumph involves obligations to those who helped
achieve it, and who impellcd to do so by prom
ises of absolute freedom which must never be repudi
ated We are willing to be generous; but we must
not fail to be faithful and just.
The Southern Unionists are wards OF the Nation.
They have incurred the hatred and vengefu wrath of
tho ruling caste in their section by standing for the
Union against its deadly foes. 1t is not right it is
not honest to deliver them into the absolute power of
those whose tender mercies were illustrated in the
Wholesale massacres of Memphis and Orleans,
and in thousand less conspicuous outrages. And
that which il would be shameful perfidy to do, the
loyal majority of the North have firmly resolved shall
not be DONE The TINES only Injuries itself in seeking
to shake their purpose.