The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-28
The Popular Demand in Regard to the
Rebel Communities.

their politics. What the great mass of the
people look at are the results. If these are |
favorable, they care but little concerning the |
theories involved.
Now, in regard to this great political pro- |
blem of the reconstruction of the Rebel States,
there are two practical ends which the people
have at heart-the first is to restore the MON,
so that each political community that has ever
formed part of the Union shall once more
fall into its appropriate place; and, secondly,
30 to do this that the fewest and feeblest
causes of future rebellions and convulsions
shall remain.
The people want the Union restored be-
cause that is the normal condition of our
political structure. We have no permanent
place in our system for organized political
communities except as equal members Of the
Union. Kyen the territorial condition is
anomalous, and has puzzled some OF our
wisest statesmen for a constitutional justifca-
tion, while the prevailing sentiment has
always been to cut short that condition at the
earliest practicable period in each successive
case. Great States, numbering population OF
millions, like Pennsylvania and New York,
have repeatedly voted to admit to the Union
Territories barely possessing people enough to
entitle them to a single member OF Congress,
and sometimes not even that-thus placing
the millions of these old States on an equality
with the thousands of some new one on the
floor Of the Senate. This fact shows the
strong tendency which has always existed in
our country to incorporate separate cOmmuni-
ties into States.
In the case of the Rebel States we have an
anomalous condition of things. They are
neither States nor Territories; they are COM
munities which once were States, but which
lost their organizations, their corporate exist
enoe as States, in the Rebellion. They are,
however, going through process OF recon-
struction similar to that of Territories organ
iging themselves into States under enabling
acts of Congress.
But the people not only desire the Rebel
communities reconstructed into States, and
admitted into the Union; they also want this
end accomplished in such way as will afford
the best possible guarantees of the future
peace and stability of the Union. They desire
no future rebellions. They do not want to see
the powers and functions of State governments
again prostituted to the work of revolution.
Experience has taught us that State organi-
cation in the hands of the enemies Of the Union
is most dangerous weapon against the peace
of the country. The late Rebellion would have
been an utter impossibility had not the State
governments of the South been so generally in
the hands of those who desired the overthrow
of the Union. And it is now plain to be seen
that our chiefest danger-the very weakest
point of our whole political structure-is
to be found in the possibility of State revo-
1utiOn-rebellion, not on a sporadic and popular
scale, but organized, armed, and equipped
with all the functions of State. Rebellion
is thus furnished, at the very outset, with its
greatest need, namely, organization; and a
thoroughly organized rebellion is already far
advanced on the high road to successful revolu-
tion! COmprehending the facts taught them
by bitter and costly experience, the people of
this country are determined that the necon-
struOtiOn of the Rebel States shall proceed
upon the prerequisite of loyal organization.
II the late Rebels are admitted to power at
all, it must only be to such power as their
own numbers entitle them to, and it must be
UdlduO6u ny Luo huHlSsAOu VI dI loaSL al
equal loyal element. The trouble with
Mr.. JOhnsOn's attempted reconstruction was
that, in the first place, it was usurpatOry and
unconstitutional; and, in the second place, it
put the entire power of the reconstructed
States into the hands of the Rebels. 1t was
merely arming the old Rebel element anew
with the powers and resources of States.
The Congressional plan of reconstruction is
in full operation. Three of the Rebel commu-
mites have already voted to hold COnstitu-
tiOnal Conventions, and have elected members
to them. Their Conventions will soon be in
session, and we shall see what kind of consti-
tutions they will make. The success of the
Congressional plan depends almost wholly
upon the action Of these bodies. If they shall
pattern their constitutions after trus daro-
cratic republican models; if they shall mako
fealty to the Union fundamental provision in
their constitutions; if they shall extirpate the
old State sovereignty heresies which have
dourished so luxuriantly in the South if thew
shall provide for equal laws and equal rights
for all citizens unoOntaminated by crime; in a
word, If they shall satisfy the public demand
for both liberty and law, and shall so organize
their States that their admission will lstrengtheI
the Union, and weld frmer its bonds, theI
the Congressional plan will be success. Those
Ststas will he admitted and their Govern