Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-01-10

which they are offered brotherhood
with us, and participation in al
the blessings of our freedom, anC
they have refused, if the govern
ment, in the exercise of it's powers
should enter anew upon the work 0
reconstruction at the very founda
tion and then the necessity will b.
forced upon us to discard all discrim
lnation in favor of the enemies O
our nationality, to give US and then
enduring freedom. and impartial jus
tice.
The Constitution has defined treas
on, and has given express power tc
suppress insurrection, by war, il
necessary. 1t has not provided, in
detail, the terms to be granted after
such a war How could it do so ? II
would probably not be contended by
the widest partisan, that these
States had right to be represented
III Congress at time when they
were carrying on open war against
the government, or that Congress
was not then lawful body, notwith-
standing their exclusion. How then
have they regained the right of rep
resentation? Surely not by simply
laying down their arms when they
coutd no longer hold them The
United States have the right, and it
is their duty, to exact such securities
for future good conduct as they may
deem sufficient, and the offenders,
from whom they are to be exacted,
can have no right to participate in
our councils in the decision of the
question of what their punishment
shall be.
Practically, common stnse determ-
ined the question of their right so to
participate, when Congress proceed
ed in the enactment of laws, after the
surrender of the last rebel military
force. 1t was determined again, when
the now pending amendments were
proposed by Congress. If two-thirds
of Congress,as now constituted could
lawfully propose those amendments,
then three-fourths of the States, not
excluded from representation in Con
gress, form a sufficient majority to ef-
feet their lawful adoption. 1t was de-
termined again by the formal sanction
of both the great political parties,
when Congress, by an almost unani-
nous vote, declared the rebellious
States without the right of represen-
tatiOn in the Electoral College in
1864.
We ought to go on resolutely and
rapidly, with all measures deemed ne
cessary to the future safety of the
country, so that all parts of it may at
the earliest day, be restored to Just
and equal political privileges.
The annual report of Hon Thomas
II. Burrowes, Superintendent of the
maintenance and education of the SOL
diers' orphans, will exhibit the pres
ent condition and the result thus far
Of that undertaking. Nearly three
thousand of the destitute children of
the brave men who laid down their
lives that the nation might live, are
now not only comfortably provided
for and guarded from temptation, but
are receiving an education which will
fit them to repay the care of the
State.
The appropriation made for this pur.
pose, at the last session, has been suf-
ficient to meet all expenses of the f.
nancial year Just closed. And | rec
commend whatever appropriation
may be necessary, to continue and
perfect the system under which the
schools are conducted.
There can be no doubt that the ap-
preparation will be made. Were | to
select State interest which | would
warmly commend to your prompt at
tention and liberality than another,it
would be this. All PenLsylvanians
are proud of it, and it lies near the
hearts of all true men.
Owing to their great destitutioR
and want of information on the part |
of their relatives, the orphans of our
colored soldiars may require some |
special attention. Perhaps authority
to the State Superintendent, to use,
for short time, the services of an
agent, to ascertain their number and |
claims, and bring them into the schools |
that may be provided for them, will |
be sufficient. The whole number in
the State is not large, of whom few
have already been temporarily provi- |
ded for.
| recommend that provision be made |
for the maintenance of such OF our |
as are in poverty, and have |
been 50 manned as to prevent them |
from securing q livelihood by their |
labor, by renting buildings at once,or |
such other means as you may deem |
wise and proper, until the arrange
ments proposed by the National Gov
ernment for their support are compile
ted. They are probably few in num-
Der, and it is due 70 the character of |
the Commonwealth, that they should |
not remain in, or become the inmates
of, poor houses, or pick up precari. |
Gus substance by begging. Patriotic
and charitable citizens have done
much for them, but speedy and proper
relief can only be given them by the
systematic and continued benevo-
lence of the Commonwealth. The Leg
islature can alone afford immediate
relief to all of this class Of our citi-
zens, and in thus exhibiting gratitude
to heroic and faithful men, who did
so much for the country, the burden
will fall equally on all her people.
BY our existing laws, juries are Sc
lected by the sheriff and commission
erS of the respective counties. As
these officers are generally of similar
nOIitical affinities the system has al /