The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-12-13
Progrs,s OF neconslructlou.


ration, we do not realize, perhaps, the steady
progress which has been made towards the
point at which the responsibilities of Congress
will begin anew We scarcely appreciate the
fact that one of the excluded State will shortly
vote on the proposed Constitution; that in
three others Conventions are in session; that
in FIVE more the holding of Conv entions has
been formally carried, and that in the tenth
State the preliminary business of registration
has just been completed. So the case actually
stands. Alabama has advanced the furthest,
and Texas brings up the rear. Virginia,
Georgia. and Louisiana have delegates at work
in their midst. The Carolinas, Mississippi,
Ark ansas, and Florida are the States in which
the Conventions though sanctioned at the
polls, have yet to assemble. Mr.. Wilson's
exultant remark in the Senate, the other day
that Reconstruction is sure to triumph, in
spite of all that may be said about it"-really
seems not to be an exaggeration after all
There is, nevertheless, probability that in
one, if not two of the States, the work of the
Conventions will be defeated when submitted
to the people for ratification. Efforts are con-
templated with view to this result, as the
readiest mode of defeating reconstruction;
the course proposed in each instance being
mere passive resistance, which by an extra
efficacy with actual adverse voting. General
Wright of Georgia, speaking in the recent
Conservative Convention, said Of the Consti-
tutional Convention which is still sitting,
that sit was not carried in the black belt of
the State-showing that it was not the action
of the blacks, but the inacton of the whites
which carried it," The same inaction, when
the Constitutions shall be submitted may en-
danger their ratification, and so delay recon-
struction i'll the State or States immediately
concerned.
kgIt is to obviate this difficulty that Mr. Will
son proposes to amend the law by requiring
only a majority of the actual voters ns tead of
a majority of those registered. This change,
though removing possible contingencies,
would not avail in Georgia, if the opposing
whites substituted for the policy of inaction
that of hostile voting. In either event, they
may interpose delay, and give rise to an irri-
tation which for their own sal1es we would
gladly see averted. For, in the present con-
dition of affairs, dogged, unreasoning opposi-
tion, predicated on the doctrine that "this is
white mans government" exclusively, can
not benefit them in the slightest degree. By
accepting the situation under pr0test-by
Hsing the power which the law vests in them,
in common with the freedmen, with prudence
| and forbearance-they might hope for timely
notifications of the action Of Congress In
| Georgia, indeed according to their own show
| ing, they might have obtained control of the
Convention, and drafted the new Constitution,
subject only to negro suffrage and other un-
derstood resolves of Congress.
| Their unyielding attitude deprives them of
the weight they might otherwise have exerted,
and will afford plausible justification of any
further measure which Congress may employ
to carry out its purposes. The Georgia Con-
servatives lack the proverbial astuteness of
| Northern politicians if they suppose that by
active or passive resistance to the present law
they may compel the offer of better terms.
| Enough has transpired both in the Alabama
Convention and in the Senate to show how
quickly and even generously friendly effort on
the part of eX-Rebels is recprocated Neither
vindictiveness nor parisanship prevents the
! recognition of aid rendered by former enemies;
to them, at any tate, the punitive features of
the law will soon be harmless. The position
of the Conservative Conventionists, who
undertake to say how reconstruction shall be
managed, will be essentially different They
forfeit their title to consideration when they
revive exploded nonsense touching the alleged
exclusive rights of white people.
1t must be admitted, moreover that despite
the defects of the law, the steps thus far taken
in the Southern States have not verified the
predictions of those who saw in universal
suffrage a prelude to anarchy. Our own
opinion as to the danger and undesirableness
of universal negro enfranchisement is un
changed. We should prefer impartial suffrage
based on some qualification of intelligence ol
property, and still hope that a check of this
nature will be imposed when Congress finally
decides the question. Apart from this opinion
however, we see no cause for immediate unea
siness except in the voluntary isolation o
the majority of whites. Their refusal to Co
operate with the blacks on any terms save
those of the white-man' Government theory
is greater cause of apprehension than any
thing we have discussed in the conduct O
black conventionists.
Nothing is more easy, of course, than tt
! trace absurdities in the sayings and doings o
men who now for the first time WELD the privi
, leges of citizens. Their ignorance and mex
perence furnish ample opportunities for tht
, unfriendly critics who sit in judgment owe
them and who hold in their hands the key
of the telegraph and the press. None wht
knows how little conscience has to do with the
| preparation of partisan newspaper stories
can fail to make large allowance for the Yer
2 sions of proceedings in conventions whicl
/ have furnished themes of ridioule and indig
nation to certain of our contemporaries. w
can readily believe, too, that many OF tn
t delegates cannot write their names, that NOR
/ know little of the forms which regulate publ
5 bodies, and that the great majority are pre-
foundly ignorant on the subject of legisatio
5 and government. Grant all this and grant i
= addition that negro supremacy would be NOR
= dangerous than white supremaoy-still tn
i fact remains, that up to the present time 20
will look in vain for extravagant or harsh pre-
- visions. Confscaton has not been heard OF
9 nor have sweeping political disabilities foun
= favor There has been too much fondness tc
/ per diem allowance, perhaps, but this is weaE