Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-03-28

ards of loyalty and republicanism.
Indeed if there are degrees in repub-
lican forms of government, their con-
stitutions are more republican now
than when they were States, four Qf
which were members when the origi-
nal thirteen first became members Of
the Union. Congress does not de-
mand that a single provision Of their
constitutions be changed, except such
as confine suffrage to the white popu
lation. Ii is apparent that these pro .
visions do not conform TO the standard
ofrepublicanism which Congress seeks
to establish. That there may be no
mistake, il is only necessary that ref.
erence should be made TO the original
act, which declares "such constitution
shall provide that the elective fran
chisc shall be enjoyed by all such per-
sons as have the qualifications herein
stated for electors of delegates"
What class Of persons is here meant
clearly appears in the same section
that is TO say, "The male citizens OF
said State, twenty-one years old and
upward, Of whatever race or color or
previous condition, who have been
resident in said State for one year pre-
vious to the day Of such election"
Without those provisions no Consti-
tuition which can be framed in any one
of the ten States will be of any avail
with Congress. This, then, is the
test of what the constitution Of
State of this Union must contain to
make il republican. Measured by
such n standard, how few Of the States
now composing the Union have repub-
lican constitutions IT, in the exer-
else Of the constitutional guarantee
that Congress shall secure 10 every
State arepublican form of government
universal suffrage for blacks as well
as whites, is a sine qua non the work
Of reconstruction, may as well begin
in Ohio as Virginia; in Pennsylvania
as in North Carolina. When ! con
template the millions OF our fellow
J citizens of the South, with no alterna-
tive left but TO impose upon themselves
: this fearful and untried experiment Of
] complete negro enfranchisement, and
white disfranchisement-it may be
r almost as complete-or submit indef-
nitely TO the rigor Of martial law,
) without a single attribute Of frcemen /;
= deprived of all the sacred guarantees
Of our Federal Constitution, and threa-
tened with even worse wrongs, if any
; worse are possible, it seems to me
: their condition is the most deplorable
to which any people can be reduced.
Ii is true that they have been cngag
> ed in rebellion, and that their object
! being a separation Of the States and
: dissolution OF the Union, there was
9 an obligation resting upon every 10y
! al citizen to treat them as enemies,
= and to wage war against their cause.
Infexibly opposed TO any movement
/ imperiling the integrity Of the gov
, ernment, / hesitate TO urge the adop
I ton Of all measures necessary for the
! surnression of the insurrection. After
long and terrible struggle, the efforts
= of the government were triumphant
? ly successful, and the people Of the
/ South, submitting TO the stern arbi-
: trament, yislded forever the issues OF
! the contest. Hostilities terminated
! soon after it became my duty to as
2 sumo the responsibilities of the Chief
/ Executive officer Of the republic. 1
: at once endeavored 10 repress and
f control the passions which our civil
strife had engendered, and, no longer
l. regarding these erring millions as en-
/ emies, again acknowledged them as
{ our counuymen The war had ac-
G complishod its object; the nation was
; saved, and that seminal principal Of
E mischief, which, from the birth of the
: government had gradually but inevi-
tably brought on the rebellion, was
= totally eradicated Then, it seemed
d to me, was the auspicious time to CON-
! mence the work OF reconciliation
G then, when the people sought once
D more cur friendship and protection, /
!. considered Il our duty generously to
G meet them in the spirit of charity and
: forgiveness. and TO conquer them even
: moro eifectually by the magnanimity
T. Of the nation than by the force Of its
e arms.
G vet believe that if the policy oi
!. reconciliation then inauguratcd, and
/ which contemplated an early restora
o tion Of these people to all their politi
b cal rights, had received the support
;, of Congress, evory one OF these ten
G States, and all their people, would al
this moment be fast anchored in the
r Union, and the great work which
} gave the war all its sanction, and
e made it Just and holy, would have
|. been accomplished. Then, over tn,
n vast and fruitful regions Of the South
C peace and its blessings would have
r prevailed, while now millions are de.
c prived Of rights guaranteed by the
j. Constitution to every citizen. and af
!. ter nearly two years Of legislation
# find themselves placed under an abso-
G lutte military despotism. "A military
d repubic-a government formed on
p mock elections, and supported only by
e the sword" was near quarter of a
4 century since pronounced by Danie
L Webster, when speaking Of the South
q American States, as a movement in
n deed, but a retrogade and disastrous
Il movement from the regular and old
+. fashioned monarchical system" And
r. be added: IF men would enjoy ths
,f blessings Of republican government
i they must govern themselves by rea.
e son, by mutual counsel and consola
Is tion, by q sense and feelingoi genera
10 interest. and bv the aconrcsccnce O