The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-06-27
Immense laughter after which tho party descended the


man. ON Rcconstruction aud Misconstruc-
tion.
SR-The serenity Of our political armament il again
disturbed Tho adjournment Of Congress and the dis
posal OF the Southern question: In spite OF broadsde
Of vetoes gave the country promise Of calm and sun
shine But new clouds gathering and the barometer
OF the press indicates approaching storm The
pant Of the Executive chair Washington 10 bent on
another tusss with Congress 10 must abide the con-
sequences for this time he will bs roughly handled by
his enraged antagonist The star Of Ben Wade II In
the ascendant Before tho conflict begins, and ears
are filed with the din OF contendng voices may VEN
ture few quiet observations the great point issue
II Is the duty Of every citizen put his shoulder the
wheel whom tho car Of State is In . ruk
THE SOUTH.
Al the close OF the the management Of
the rebel States was indeed, grave problem
for the North. They were but mass OF ruinA Poiti
cally socially and physically they were utterly pros
aed The abolition Of slavery the corner stone Of the
Southern ediace acted like tornado sweeping every
thing before it, Not only their political structure
overthrown but the vital relations Of capital and
labor revolutonizsd. The slave not only became .
voter but he could slipulate for wagcs The French
Revolution OF $50, which "puverzed" France as the
FIRST Napoleon sad not destructive, and the Eng
sh Revolution OF 1910 left the framework Of soc ETY.
untouched In the face OF such state OF things well
nigh chaos the North might naturally pause and pom
der II these unhappy States disposed TO cooper
cheerfuy In their restoration TO now condition Of
being; If they ready honestly to aid In rebuilding
their shattered organism plans and in conform.
" to the political architecture OF the coun-
try, then the North saw no difficulty In the case,
and reconstruction would DO easy, rapid and magi-
CAL The great soldiers OF the rebellion raised their
voices as they threw down their swords and called on
the South adopt this voluntary and fraterna
struction Cunning politicians however, willed other
wise They proong tho hostility that followed
the and prevent such reconstruction OF the South
per,y What then was he North to do Thew waited
nearly years. and finally decided the only prsct
cable method OF bringing the Southern States back into
the Union In March last Congress- responding to the
desire OF the whole country, decrced the mode-evi-
IDENTIFY the only mode-by which the South could be
reorgnnzed Strange and sad that IL should prefer
turning to It's old prosperity rather by coercion than
volition. Strange and sad too that government
like ours based on the reason Of mankind should DO
Is the In all ages and under all forms Of polity
The passions OF men defy reason and stutfy theory
Republican rebels II seems are Just as sulky and blind
as others.
Let us examine briefly Mr.. Editor the famous Recon-
structon acts of last spring Nothing can be more ex-
pct than their language and nothing moro obvious
than their meaning. TO witCongress then declared rs
that mo legal State governments existed IN the rebel
States" Next Congress proceeded to divide sthe said
robe States into military districts subject to the mill
tary authority OF the United States" Further Congress
provided that the Commanding General should have
sucen military forces 10 enable such ocer to per-
form bis duties and enforce ms authority within sas aus,
the Commanding General may organize military tribu.
mails for the trial Of oenders" and, dnaly is dccreed
State authority, with the exercise OF military
authority under this act shall be null and void"
The intention OF Congress was plainly TO annihate
a civil authority In the Southern States and then to
establish military governments therein. Since this law
went into effect there has been no legitimate power in
general Is sovereign 4 lis sphere The civil msonins
works or stops, In whole or part, at his bidding.
This paipabe view Of the case relieves Us Of all per-
pex. 70 the attributes Of tho generals .. the head Of
their will Is absolute the Gar OF Russia-ln
respects SO; for he has at least primo minister
and under control but public opinion In viei-
MIA, II General Schofeld chooses to q
ton his rightf In the Caronas, Il General s,sklss
commands rebel TO rise before the flag or bids the
mcrcess creditor 70 spare the painless debtor or stops
the distlati0n Of whiskey 70 cheaper bread amid
,s Sa. rs ,:,sss a., yss: . s.
date from Charles H. who Is there gansay his wordf
In Louisiana. General Sheridan may remove governors
and their iunds f his judgment ordains In
Arkansas General Ord may declare to legislatures,
master into state Treasurer and who is to oppose In
Georgia General Pope may shake his bfton at Governor
Jenkins, and warn him against obs.ructon These
Generals, each In his jurisdlction the sole repre-
sentatves Of the sovereignty Of the United Satos
Congress has conferred on them absolute power by
declaring all State authority "null and void" These
Generals therefore, have rare chance to great
regulations lose tnem Congress has not defined their
simply 10 reconstruct the south-no small Job They arc
all good soldiers. II would DO wonderful II tnoy
all turned up great statesmen. II u By state
craft now, and not BY strategy nor tactics, they
must win or fail Intellect Judgment. prudence tact
rmness and moderation-thsss the qualities with
their practical results that will raise Thorn from their
saddles chairs In the Senate and the Cabinet per-
chance still higher. They must maintain Order pro-
s Ss sn
State and municipal machinery or knock II 70 pieces
and get up something better All this and must be
done amid starving and hostile population, with MIL
lions OF negroes Intoxicated by freedom and tho fran
chisc Prudent and snrowd politicians shrink
from such post but the nation Is attentive and Europe
curious The Pro.Consuls Of Rome had . smaisr
audience.
THE NEW FORK PRKA
The mission Of the press here and elsewhere should
be that Of the handpost 10 point the road public opn-
ion should take. Editors, like other morials, however
spread error instead OF propagang truth Whore 10 the
New York pTcss this hour this vital point OF recon-
frst selling on the topic. I. sfirmissed with .he
generals and coquetted with the law Growing holder
a. advanced !. Is now handling this mighty subjec.
with the originality, research and Independence that
characterize tae journal Tue service II render
tho country at this moment 10 incaculable, and It's
lawyers or brawIing politicians The New York
Times displays ability, but, alas ! no decision. APP
parcntiy u does not see It's way or Is not prepared
to take It. Az ono moment II dcnounces tho orders
Of General Sckles usurpatons, and then defends
Sheridan for superseding the whole civil administration
OF Louisiana far greater stretch Of prero Again.
Il that Congress gave supreme power to each
msnder yet commends the dica Of the Attorney General
who declares the contrary The Tribune, tho Post ano
the World party journals. and everything
through partisan spcctacles They praise blame
suits partisan purpose. The Oosmgcidl Advsfis1,
with veteran politician at the hcln 10 following tho
wake OF the HERALD. Its tone Is PRACTICAL but has
the courage to apply the scaps II the case requires f
ANDREw JOHNSON
When the President undertook to reconstruct the
South tho country appauded his motives, though II
questioned HIS power When his handiwork failed and
Congress took up the task, his opposition consld-
cred both constitutional and conscientious But now
that the question has been decided BY the law making
power, and the duty devolves the Executive TO
enforce its mandates, what think OF his new
attudeS The South demands rspose and vigorous gov
ernment Her worst foes only could wish zee her
the writing victim OF constant political tinkerng
The North - suffering extreme depression in
her TRADE and commerce. and shrinks with
alarm from . renewed strife between the CO.
ordinate branches Of tho government To what can