The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1867-04-02
now demand that single provision of

ulatlon. It's apparent, therefore, that
these provisions do not conform to the
standard of republicanism which Con-
gress seeks to establish. That there may
be no mistake, it is only necessary that
reference should be made TO the original
act, which declares such constitutions
should provide that the elective franchise
shall be enjoyed by all such persons as
have the qualifications herein stated for
election of delegates. Which class of
persons is here meant clearly appears in
the same section, that is to say, the male
citizen of said State, twenty-one years
old and upward of whatever race or color,
or previous condition. who has been resi-
dent in said State for one year previous
to the day of such election. Without
these provisions, no constitution which
can be formed in any one of the ten
States will be of any avail with Congress.
This, then, is the test which the constitu
tion Of State of this Union must con-
tain to make it REPUBLICAN? Measured by
such a standard, how few of the States
now composing the Union have republican
constitutions? If, in the exercise of the
constitutional guarantee, that Congress
shall secure to every State republican
form Of government, universal suffrage
for blacks as we'll as whites, as sine qua
non, the work of reconstruction may as
we'll begin in Ohio as in Virginia, in
PENNSYLVANIA as IN North Carolina.
When I contemplate the millions or
our fellow citizens of the South with no
alternative left but to impose upon them
selves this fearful and untried expert
ment Of complete negro enfranchisement,
and white disfranchisement, it may be al
most as complete, or submit indefinitely
to the rigor of martial law, without a
single attribute Of freemen, deprived of
all the sacred guarantees of eur Federal
constitution, and threatened with even
worse wrongs, it seems to me their condi-
tion is..the most deplorable to which any
people can be reduced. Itis true that
they have been engaged in rebellion, and
that in their object to bring about sepa-
ration of the States and dissolution Of
the Union, there was an obligation rest
ing upon every loyal citizen to treat them
as enemies, and to wage war against their
cause. Inhexibly opposed to any move
ment imperiling the integrity of the gov
ernment, l did not hesitate to urge the
adoption of all measures necessary fol
the suppression of the insurrection. After
long and terrible struggle, the efforts Of
the government were tridmphantly success
full; and the people of the South, submit
ting to the stern arbitrament yielded for.
ever the issues of the contest. Hostilitie:
terminated; soon after it itbecame my duty
to assume the responsibilities of the Chic,
Executive officer of the republic, and
at once enaesvored to repress and. con
troll the passion which civil strife had en-
gendered, and no longer regarding these
erring millions as enemies, again aeknowi'
edged them as our friends and our coun.
trymen. The war had accomplished its
objects, the nation was saved, and thai
cardinal principle of mischief, which
from the birth Of the government, had
gradually, but inevitably brought on the
rebellion, was totally eradicated. Their
it seemed to me, was the conspicuous time
to commence the work of reconstruction
Then, when the people sought once more
eur friendship and protection,I consider.
ed it our duty generously to meet them
in the spirit of charity and forgiveness
and to conquer them even more effectually
by the magnanimity of the nation than
by the force of its arms. I yet believe
that if the policy of reconstruction then
inaugurated, and which contemplated an
early restoration of this people to all
their political rights, had received the
support of Congress, every one of these
ten States and all their people would al
this moment be fast anchored in the I'm.
ion, and the great work which gave the
war all its action, and made it just and
holy would have been accomplished
Then all over the vast and fruitful regions
of the South peace and its blessings
would have prevailed; while now millions
are deprived Of rights guaranteed by the
Constitution to every citizen, and after
nearly two years of legislation, find them.
selves placed under an absolutely "mili.
tary despotism." A military republic, 8
government formed on mock elections
and supported only by the sword, wa;
nearly quarter Of a century since, pro.
nounced by Daniel Webster, when speak
ing of the South American States, as "a
movement indeed, but retrogade and
disastrous movement, from the regular
and old fashioned monarchial SYSTEM
and added, 'if men would enjoy the bles.
sings of republican government, they
must govern themselves by reason, by mu.
tual counsel and consultation. by sense
and feeling of general interest, and by the
acquiescence of the minority in the will
of the majority, properly expressed, and
above all, the military must be kept, &C.
cording to the language of our Bill o.
Rights, in strict snbordination to the civ.
| il authority. Whenever this lesson is
not both learned and practiced, there car
be no political freedom. Absurd and
preposterous, it is scof and satire or
| free forms of constitutional liberty fol
forms of government to be prescribed by
military leaders, and the right of suffrage
to be expressed at the point Of the sword.
| / confidently believe that time will
come when these States will again occupy
their true position in the Union. The
barriers which now seem SO obstinate
must yiela to the force Of an enlightened
and just public opinion, and sooner or la
ter unconstitutional and oppressive legis-
llation will be effaced from eur statute