The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-10-04
The Reconstruction Question Assuming n
n New Phase.


n New Phase.
Many of the republican papers, and some of
the radical. are getting fresh light on the re-
construction question. They now 60 so far
even as to pronounce the Congressional plan
"a failure" The Springfield Republican boldly
says, "this Compress has failed with IL, and
failed because it tried to circumvent God" By
this unique piece of New England reverence Of
sircumventing God we suppose the writer
means that Congress tried to do what was con-
trary to the laws of nature and good sense--that
is, tried to make governments for the Southern
States through the degraded and benighted ne
groes, and have failed This is putting the fact
in very strong language, and is noteworthy
from such a source. Other republican papers
are taking the same ground, il they do not use
such remarkable language. What does all this
mean? What has opened the eyes OF the re-
publcans to the failure Of their own measures
AMI the measures Of their own Congress? They
see, doubtless, the rising storm Of public opinion
that threatens to sweep them from power.
They see the handwriting on the wall which
tells them they have been weighed in the bal
ance and found wanting.
We notice too, from our Washington CORE
spondence, published yesterday, that the Presi-
dent had been discussing the question of re-
construction with Southern gentlemen Of !" con-
siderable political experience" and that they
came to the conclusion that the present plan
must fail. Although Congress may not pay
much attention TO- either the opinion of the
President or these Southern gentlemen, it may
respect the opinion of it's own organs and lead
ers. Hence it is worthy fnotice that the views
OF Senator Trumbul, one of the leading radi-
calls, were endorsed by this White House con-
ference. 1t viii be remembered that Mr.. Trum-
bull declared some time ago that it was the
right OF each State TO decide the suffrage ques-
ton for itself 1t is proposed that this princi-
pie shall be applied to the Southern States
as well as to the loyal States. with the
understanding that the colored popu-
lation shall have the suffrage as they become
intelligent enough to use it, and that there
shall be general plan of education adopted
at once to prepare them for the exercise OF the
franchise. This is q sensible view Of the matter
and every reasonable man must approve of it.
1t is only going back, in fact, to tile original
plan of reconstruction on the basis Of the con-
sttutional amendment, with this Improvement,
however, that the negroes are to be educated
to prepare th.m for civil privileges. Will Con-
gress-will Mr.. Trumbull and other prominent
men like him-retrace their steps and give us
a practical plan of reconstruction Their own
organs declare the present one I" failure"-
an effort "to crcumvent God;" and public sem
timent is unquestionably against that negro
supremacy in the South and negro balance
of power in the republic which the present re-
construction policy would certainly establish.
The only chance the republican party has to
save itself from destruction is to take new
departure on the question of reconstruction in
accordance with public sentiment