The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-10-23
The Proposed Constitutional
Amendment.
Why No Southern State Can
Ratify It.
POLICY OF THE SOUTHERN STATES.
New and Last Phase Of the Irre-
pressible Conflict.
&c Ao TO-


srsss by their voluntary act in ratfying the pro-
posed amendments to the constitution. II 10 but too
evident TO us that neither these things are at present
,ha the range Of probabilities and that tho political
complications which the country is involved are more
likely lead inextrlcable confusion and trouble
from time to time since the return Of the Presidential
party from its unfortunate pilgrimage 10 the tomb Of
Douglas special correspondents at the capital have
pressed the opinion that Mr. johnson, warned by the
elections of Maine and Pennsylvania, about to repre-
sent to the States recently engaged in rebellion the
imtiy Of further opposition to the will OF Congress and
he propriety of ratfying the proposed constitutional
amendments the easiest terms that could be secured
nd has also been alleged In the connection thai
governor Orr OF South Carolina about to recon-
mend that Of action to the Legislature OF thai
Jtate We arc convinced now that there was no good
Foundation for either Of these statements and that
Ihe contrary, Mr. johnson Is determined to persevere
rho policy which he has entered upon, regardless and
defiant Of consequences while the late rebel States
equally disposed spurn with contumey the terms pro-
posed to them. If right In this Interpretation OF
She signs in the political horizon then indeed there Ia
little hope for settlement OF national difficulties for
several years come.
But IT is ntsmaed in certain quarters repeated by the
lips Of demagogues and echoed public assemblies and
private conversations that easy remedy be found
for at least Of those difficulties and that far
hr johnson stands in the way that impeachment can be
summa-y removed by impeachment. We do not be-.
aose that the radical portion OF the republican party
muster strength enough 10 carry out that programme
The ultra measures proposed at the last session by the
representatives Of the radicals almost invariably
defeated by junction Of the conservative elemens and
tho attempt to impeach and depose President John
merely beausc he does coincide with the views
aud OF Congress would be such outrageous
proceeding to render certain the failure Of any such
movement. And vet not only do aud such ran.ng hum
bugs as Butler Of Massachusetts,. Chandler Of Michigan
Wendell Phillips and others Of that stripe openly pro
claiming the President inpeaced al the next
session. but find the quiet, thoughtful sober
Banks giving utterance to the sentiment In fact
with the meeting Of the miscegen convention In Phiade
pha at the beginning Of September that idea
and We are sorry 10 that has been gaining ground
ever since and is confidently talked about OF
the leading 10 be carried through the next
session. Butler has gone 80 far as 10 outline
sho charges to be preferred against the President
Thch that he responsible for the New Orleans
massacre that he has been appointing dsloya men to
ONCE that he has been endeavorng to bring into odum
and contempt the legislative department OF the govern
ment by designating the $50 called Congress" the
bogus Congress" &c. And discussions have boon
already entered TO whether the President will In
macy Of Congress- whether he is compelled appear in
person or DOLLY by attorney and whether pending tho
proceedings he shall continue to exercise tho functions
OF his ONCE. We aiude to these circumstances not
because we believe that any serious attempt will be
made 10 deprive Mr. johnson Of the Presidency but
rather a. indicating the extent to which the discussion
pr the subject has gone already The anticipated change
An the War Department. by which General Sherman,
who was even ahead OF President johnson berality
70 tho rebel States Is 10 succeed Secretary Stanton
generally regarded important move in the great
contest which IL expected to take place session be-
twe,n Congress and the President One thing is very
with approval upon any OF putting end to Mr.
gohnsons tenure Of once and that any DO
devised 10 prevent no will be tolerated in the Pro-
s,denta chair TIL the 9Th OF March, 1892 II no such
means be found, however, then II Is morally
tain that the present dlsorganzed and unsatisfactory
state OF the country win show no amslioraton or I'm
provemsnt before that time Mr.. Johnsons stubborn,
fanyieiding disposition will prevent his making the
slightest concession TO Congress- and that body cannot
certainly be expected TO yield 70 him.
In the meantime justified In expecting that the
ealcs recently rebellion, any Of them will Of their
own accord. and In spite OF executive influence ratfy
hhe proposed amendment to the constitution and thus
out an end 70 the whole controversy regard
struct,on or restorasion' Would they even do so II
~. -sden, johnson TO back the proposed amend
-, with his strongest recommendation and
-. ruenceS These questions must Ger.
$500 he negative. II We had not before US
-. $500. ~ ovo y Humphreys OF Mississippi, to
shs Ierssur. or ina, .t. IN which he eharscterncs
she proposed amendment ian '''."s ou..se '"'
o 'gros usurpa,ion OF the rights Of '"e a'
Sealing OF which would cause Its rcjcct,c.' anu .
70 did not sec that Idea practically ilinss.. ,''u
n TEXAS We would still como to the conclusion,
l4cm the very nature Of things, that no fairly
Elected governor OF q Southern state would re-
.ADmmend. and no fairly elected Legislatufs would
.bprove, such . measure. In fact Congress. In pro
nosus a. proposed what was A. nearly moral impos-
e ma spy or all OF those States would b. justiped IN
rs,ec,lna the nrst section Of the ameDdment, which
simply extends The presccn q Inc federal
r,tlxsns within the several States even the second
vecton which practicable bases representation upon ths
humber voter or the fourth section, which declares
ths involab,y OF the national faith In regard 70 thu
public DER; aud forbids the assumption or pay ment
ths rebel debt Ihese proposons are ,ass,ssd he
fore the forum OF the worlds public opinion 10 reecun
thsm Perhaps N these alone were embraced 10 tn'
lie ratification But that which ensures It's rejection
svery Southern state where the people have nad any ~
sno~ 70 Vie election o. the r.naer sysrv hs,
ocia OF the state, and probably threefourths OF w
members Of the Legislature, incapable Of exercising nea
Functions another day. That section 10 ines
words
No person shall be Senator Representatives, Cones
or Eiecor OF President ycePresdent bold any ono
viv military under thu United State who
having previously taken oath . member Of Congress
Or oncer of the United states or member Of an
a.. tss,srs e 80 ,.ssS.y qaie. oesr q I \.
have engaged IN rsurrecon rebellion against the
Orsss MAY By vote Of iwohirds Of each Houss. rsmov
such disability.
n nigh. >. all rsh. and proper tor Congress IN deal
srnmsat 70 impose penalties upon their leading mon
severe - those contained 70 ms section The right
alone DO the subject OF consideration and argument
But 70 coll upon the veU people whom 10 proposed
krnohissmsnt would Be, II were not prepostevous,
sansnsns Of cruelty; and certainly justine. .hs su'
kmsndnent wps 20 ingeniously devised preclud
ths possibility d any Southern s.sis sccedinl 70