The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-02-12
DEMONSTRATIONS.

ments Of the press aud talking peo-
pie, would form an interesting volume.
a hurled review OF these several plans
cannot fail of being profitable, revealing
rs il does, at "A glance, tho progress made,
If any, in public sentiment, and giving us
clearer views of the excellenccs and i'm
pcrfcctions of such us are now before the
public mind
The plan adopted by President johnson
before the first session Of the tliriy-ninih
Congress, and to which he has clung with
wonderful tenacity until now, contemplate
ed the immediate and unconditional
admission of loyal Representatives and
Senators to seats in Congress from every
Southern State. No doubt that, in the
cgotism of his heart, it was his hone [
opinion that this was the true and only
method which could be adopted; and he
was greatly surprised to find that Congress
differed from him IN opinion But Con-
grcss thought differently, and the people
sustained them
Another proposition was universal and
uncondiion il amnesty, involving the
committal Of all the privileges, civil and
political, to those who were only recently
in armed opposition to the Government,
giving rebels the actual control OF its
every department. This scheme found
favor only with the rebels, their sympa-
lhzers, and few crack Drained theorists.
a small party was also found who
urged the territorial theory. They claimed
that the rebcllious States had forfeited
every political right, even the right cf ex-
istencc us such. and that Congress had full
power TO lcgislale for them as territories
This plan has always received only an in
considerable support.
The Congressional plan, proposing an
amendment TO the Constitution OF the
United States, regulating and cqnalizing
representation, rendering impossible any
assumption of debts incurred in aid of re
beliion, disqualifying leading rebels for
holding Office under the government and
guaranteeing equal civil rights TO all citi-
zcns, without regard to race and color,
his received the sanction Of the great
body OF loyal people everywhere
Almost every loyal State will approve
the amendment; but it may fail even
then, as no Southern State is likely to
ratly. In view Of such a contingency.
other schemes have been suggested, some
wild, and all, as it seems to Us, impraci
cable. But most of these have been so
universally condemned by the thinking
portion Of our citizens, that they should
not claim our attention.
The Southern reconstruction scheme,
recently promulgated, has the recommen
dation to our consideration Of ncwncss,
and of being concession on the pant Of
leading Soulherners The Governors Of
several Southern States have recently
teen in Washington comforting with Pres.
idcnt johnson on the subject, and as the
result of their deliberations, it is proposed
that an amendment to the several State
Constitutions be recommended for adop-
tim, the main clause of which is as
follows
IApca,, &c., he it further resolved hv the
Legislature Of THAT the following article ,hall
he adopted as all amendment. to become part Of
the Constitution OF the State Of -:
"ARrI,IE Every N ale citizen who has 70
side,l in this State for year. and in the county
in which he offers 10 otssiN months Immediately
preceding the dav Of election and can read the
DeclaI alton Of Independence and the Constitution
Of the United States in tho English language, and
sho may lie the owner OF $3.50 worth of taxable
roIery, shall be chttlcd to vote at all elections
Tor Governor Of the State mslnbers of the eyis
may lie by the people Of the STATE.
"ITU7deJ, That no person, by reason OF this
article, shall he excluded IRON voting who has
he eiOore exercised the elt ctiye franchise nIcr
the Constitution or laws Of this State, or who at
the time Of the adoption Of this amendment ma,
Ike entitled to vote under said Constitution and
laws"
Ii also proposes an amendment to the
Federal Constitution, declaring that no
State can withdraw from the Union, nor
be cicctea by the Federal Government,
nor deprived Of equal suffrage in the
Senate or representa- IN in the House,
and that the Union under the Constitu
ton shall be perpetual; affirming the
public debt TO be sacred and inyiolate,
torbiddlng the assumption Of rebel debts
providing for equal citizenship in the
States, and requiring equal civil rights
and counting out of the representative
bass classes deprived OF suffrage in any
State.
This movement on the part of pres-
dent Johnson and prominent Southern
men, is evidence of progress. Mr., John