Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1867-01-10
Reconstruction.

from all political dIscuSS1onS, Dis ho' ohiJ
useless, but probably hurtful. We fear the
Southern people have already engaged too
much in political affairs for their own good.
We advised our people to send delegates to
the Philadelphia Convention with many
misgivings, which were made known
through our columns, and only then, be-
cause we knew that it was the wish of the
President and of the conservative people
of the North that we should be represented
in that assemblage. Our people really feel
very little interest in politics, and we do
not know that the press OF the South, by
constant discussions of the various ques-
tions which are dividing the present
parties, although the Southern people are
mostly concerned in their final issue, are
comforting benefit, but rather, by keep
ing up useless EXETER ent and distracting
the attention of the people from more i'm
portant matters, doing an actual INJURY
Our people know that whenever the North
honestly desires reconstruction it will take
place-whenever the Northern people are as
well satisfied that is to their political, as it
is to their material advantage for the South
ern States to be restored to their rights I'M
der the Constitution, plan founded upon
iustice and law will be adopted. But
to bring about this desirable state of af-
fairs we are helpless, except by continuing
to perform our duty as citizens. We there
fore, for these reasons, shall continue to al
lude to political matters only so far as IS
necessary to keep our readers Informed OF
the nears in political circles and only
enough for all epitome of the current his
tory of the times.
It is known that previous to the adjourn
ment of Congress for the holidays, Mr. Ste
vens, at the instance of several otfce-h0Ide1s
under the present State Government of the
State, introduced bill into that body for
organizing new government in "the dis
trict composing the former State of North
Carolina The bill was referred to the
committee on Territories. We cannot tell
why North Carolina was selected as the first
target for Radical malice, unless it was be-
cause President Johnson began with this
State in his policy of reconstruction, and
in destroying the progress made towards
peace and reconciliation, it is desired to OBJ
literate in succession and in regular order
each step taken by the Executive.
Mr.. Stevens, before the advent of these
patriotic citizens at Washington, had already
introduced bill for the demolition of the
Southern State governments, and fearful,
should he wait to reach the North Carolina
Enabling Act" that some other person
might have the honor of demonstrating
the insurgent States" has engrafted in his
former bill the main features of the North
Carolina bill, which stands first on the cal
endar, and comes up for consideration as
soon as Congress re-assembles.
We publish this bill in full, as it seems
to form the Radical plank upon the subject
of reconstruction. It will be seen that the
oath which Holden, Pool & Co. incorpora-
ted into the original to permit them to hold
office, is extended, in the amended bill, to
ooters. We suppose, under its provisions,
if Gov. Holden is to be the chief fugleman
and interpreter for this State, all those who
voted for Mr.. Holden in 1864 for Governor,
will be regarded as &c Enthusiastically loyal"
and entitled to all the privileges granted to
the negroes. OF course, If the Southern
States are re-admitted under such an act, it
will be done by the power which the Gov
eminent possesses, and the States will be
rauited only in name. As we have before
remarked, we do not believe that two thirds
Of 1,o36 +hoiI 10
such an outrage, which would be necessa-
sry to pass the bill over the veto of the Pre-
sident. Even in face of the late elections at
the North, we do not think that the people
of that section would sanction it. The bill
is as follows:
A Bill to enable the States lately in rebellion to
regain their privileges in the Union.
Whereas, The eleven States, which lately
formed the Government called the Confederate
States of America, have forfeited all their rights
under the Constitution, and can be reinstated III
the same only through the action of Congress ::
therefore,
Be It enacted by the Senate and House Of Repre-
Se1atdtiUes of The United States Of america IN Con-
9ress assembled, That the eleven States lately in
rebellion except Tennessee, may form valid State
Governments in the follow manner
SEC. 2. And be it further enacted, That tho
State Governments now existing de tdctO, though
illegally formed in the midst of martial law and
In many instances the constitutions were ADOPTED
under duress, and not submitted to the ratitica-
ton of the people, and therefore not to be
treated as free republics, yet they hereby ac-
knowledged as valid governments for municipal
purposes until the shall be duly altered, and
their legislative and executive officers shall be
cognized as SUCH
Sec. 8. And be ii further enacted, That the ten
States which lately in rebellion, and have not
been admitted to representation in Congress, shall
hold elections on the first Tuesday of May, 1867,
to choose delegates to convention to form a
State Government. The Convention shall con-
sist of the same number of members as the most
numerous branch of the Legislature of said State
before the Rebellion, 1t shall meet at the former
capital of said State on the first Monday of June
of said year, at IL O'Clock noon, with the power to
adjourn from time to time, and shall proceed to
form State Constitution, which shall be submit
ted to the people at such time the Convention
shall direct, and if ratified by majority of legal
votes shall be declared the Constitution of the
State. Congress shall elect Commission for each
OF said States, to consist of three persons, who
shall select or direct the mode of selecting the
election of officers for the several election dis
tricts which districts shall be the same as before
the Rebellion, unless allotted by said Commission.
The officers shall consist of one Judge and two in
spectors OF elections and two clerks. The said Of
ficers together with all the expenses of the cleo
ton shall be paid by the United States, and said
exnanses shall he renaid nv said Stata or Terri