The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-03-26
RECONsTRUCTION.

nqOD of
Of Congress- known the Military Reconstruction bill
COMMUNICATIONS similar TO yours have reached me
from various portions OF the state Upon the topics
slowed much reflection and do not feel at lib
srty to withhold from my countrymsn any opinions
may have formed in regard TO them.
The recently passed by Congress assumes that the
present government OF Alabama invalid and provides
that state shall not be restored 70 It's proper position
IN Union until ITS constitution is modified
contain certain prescribed The existing civil
government Of the recognized only
such may continue the required revision OF
the constitution is completed But this recognition Of
abe State as provisional government is merely
~ PERMISSION Of the military authority Of the
United States. That authority under this law, Is
paramount TO the State, and may At any time
abolish modify control or supersede the samen
THIS TO be the condition Of things until the State shall
be declared entitled TO representation Congress- But
done before such representation allowed The things
thus required to be done briefly these:The orma-
Non Of constitution IN which the right Of suffrage is
extended 10 whites and blacks alike; the ratification Of
the proposed amendment the constitution OF the
United States and the election OF Senators and Repre-
seniases in Congress who qualify under existing
lava When all this is done then the provision of The
act IN question will cease TO operate and thon the mill
Al the time write a bill Is pending in Congress sup
Elemental 10 the act above referred cannot, OF
course tell what will be the precise features OF the bill
when But II may be safely assumed that the
hill Will become law, and that it will provide eectualy
for carrying the existing into rull effect Hence the
question presents ITSELF what the people Of Ala
bAma TO dor This IS practical question: and ono Of
vast magnitude II involves everything pertaining to
surely cannot be the wish Of any rejecting thas
abe present anomalous condition Of the State should be
continued II may almost be said that we are neither IN
the Union or L. The authority Of the United States
government is fully exercised and yet We have
NO voice IN the enactment OF national laws Or provid
Ing for their This Is lamentable c0Ddit on
for any people TO DO placed in There Is but one way
for to escape from IT, and that is TO have the State
fully restored 10 the national UIion with all the rights
ana irnmunItics OF coequa member thereof
may be taken for granted that at no distant day,
the military commandment will take the proper steps
sttuton OF the State The law of Congress mperatvey
requires that this modified constitution shall extend the
elective franchise all males ''tweny years old
and upwards Of whatever color previous condi
ton" In other words. the freedmen as we'll as the
and unconditional exacton 1t cannot be evaded. But
shs the only feature which Is prescribed q condi-
stcted discretion Above regard everything else.
The requirement Of this act OF Congress should be
fringe 10 contend against IL now s simply 10 struggle
against the inevitable Such struggle would be utterly
hopeless, and could accomplish no good to any ono.
Al the election OF delegates TO the state Convent ion
portion oil our people will be deprived Of the privilege
Of either voting or Of being chosen members. The
persons composing this class are those who, as United
States officers, members OF the Legislature.
o. executive or judicial officers Of the State,
United states ard afterwards participated in tho
against the federal government This dsranchisement
excludes many good men from voting aud win deprive
the Of the services OF many Who for their
taens, experience, wisdom and consistent Efforts 10
uphold The integrity Of The national governmon de-
the law and need not fear but what wise and pa
1totc convention may 10 chosen from those who are
Al who win DO entitled 70 vote should unhesitatipgy
sxercise that privilege and those who are diranchssd
Il ali possible good. Let /. NOT be supposed
thai they do nothing because they unable TO
vCe ns sae n0w 70 voe iVf -, as n "Ms
saecuv0frAnchiso ID conferred upon them; let them e.
srcise 1t freely and in their way No effort should
> made to control their votes except such may tend
70 enable them 10 vote ntegentiy ind such may b
necessary protect them against mischievous influences
70 which, from their want Of intelligence, they
Dsslbay DO subjected Above all things should dis
courage everything which may tend generate anago.
Aism between white and colored voters
This 10 an important crisis for all. We require pru-
Asuoe and moderation, coupled with decision and hrf
have dc that these sterling :S.a sc
soon have, far - Alabama Is concerned, definite
and elective settlement Of the great question Of recon-
sesuction. confidently anticipate the choice OF such
delegates TO the convention will give good
sstuton, and one that viii DO accepted by Congress-
with constitution recognized by the national Legsla
ture state would be reviewed from the Itaines
and endorsements which hang over us, and
which will continue 10 hang until We are
restored TO HARMONIOUS relations with the national
Union
II ls perhaps unnecessary and might DO Improbable
20 inquire whether not the state Of things now Upon
might have been avertcd BY policy different from
shat which has been pursued in this state. ! may
say however that for some time have been thoroughly
need that little consideration has been accorded
20 Congress That body WELD tbs chief power In
She government IL and exercises the right 20
control the whole question reconstruction Its
power do so Is complete; and time and again 10 has
@ Se o. an my, as 70 ms
manifest have sincerely regretted 10 nnd such
friendly disposition toward ltwould have been Tar bet
for before this In accepting the national 'stua
Non had made proper concessions TO Congressional
requirements We cannot place ourselves 10 amcable
and harmonious relations with the general government
while defiance and denunciatIon are hurled against Tvs
controlling department.
The ansgonism between Congress and the Southern
states has already brought INFINITE mischief upon US
aud We viii surer still more II IL does not
oesse Our State should not be continued IN
power OF the government Upon this vital question
people shoald profit BY experience. The events Of
pas, months show ncontestabiy that persistent
opposition and abuse Of Congress email upon In
creased exactons Those who cannot see this, or viii
il there can n only be : settlement Of our
political troubles, Alabama has . most promising
ia'are before her Our na.ura, resources are equal
resources known and appreciated by capitalists
vhe are among us and eager to make investments.
bat who will not do IN the present. condition OF
political uncertainty. Only give US tranquility and So
cusy and capital In abundance will flow into state;
for the development OF agricultural mineral,
featuring and Internal improvement resources
holding the election for delegates 10 the win
Be nxed by the military commander for this district
nope y" y s S0n' - o., IN ess DAY am dseasdy
placed in is proper position In the national Union a.
In view Of ali that has transpred in the last twelve
eighteen months II is utter folly TO expect that this
can b done any terms more favorable than those
embraced In present act ! think that BY proper
concessions better might have been
ssfore; but 10 Ia too late IL We fail 70 reorganze
abe STATE In accordance with the requirements Of this
act We may aud ] think viii, be subjected 70 more
euerous exsctions Hence think that this reorgan-
nation should be perfected just opportunity
fer log 30 Is presented.
Until this 10 done the supreme authority win be mill
sary and IN the meantime the civil authority may De
permitted provisional government have every
reason for believing that this civil authority will not be
materially interfersd with. The Law makes u the
duty OF the district commander 10 see that strict
end impartial Justice is administered to persons OF
Ill clAsses and condition. IL this be done by the
civil and judicial officers OF the State, the require
neuis Of the Law, In thu regard will have been fully
complied with; and bave doubt that the military
authorities would greatly prefer that occasion should
arise for their direct inierpcson for the enforcement
Of the law.
Having written this much IN reference TO political
condition and prospects, hope TO be excused for APP
pealing 70 people apply themselves with renewed
Energy 10 their respective pursuits Let there be