The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-07-12


Of ability and experience available for the new
state Governmental is dwelt ons-by the
General, who urges more liberal amnesty
as, IN his Judgment, ''esseDtial 20 the sue
cess OF the Congressional plan Of reconssruc-
ton"
These views are not original with General
SiclSles, but his hearty adoption OF them ados
Immensely to the force of an argument with
which only Rebels have been supposed TO
sympathlze. In the naked, unqualified form
in which il has been advocated by Mr.. Greeley,
II is inadmissible. There is certain euphony
in the proposition universal suffrage aud
universal amnesty" and a certain plausibility
which may satisfy those who would reduce
everything to the standard of barter. But
since negro suffrage has been enacted as a
right as well as a measure Of expediency,
there would be neither justice nor wisdom in
dicker that would at once render the authors
and directors Of the Rebellion eligible for place
and power. General Siclxles does not propose
this. But he does propose, with evident pro-
priety, that the wholesale disabilities which in
some quarters are demanded, shall be dis
countenanoed, and that, instead, liberal
policy shall be adopted, looking to the future
usefulness of large class who are at present
debarred from the public service.
AS matter of safety, General Sickles says
truly that the Acknowledgement of the freed
men is sufficient. Apart from the question of
vote has been created as a means of securing
the lasting predominanoe of the loyal element
in the South. The assumption is that this
vote will be on the Union side, and as a gene
raj thing it is doubtless correct. With peace
and unity thus secured, what necessity can
there be for imposing disabilities upon men
whose future political life depends wholly
upon the confidence of the Union masses
Reconstruction is now possible only on the
safe basis laid down by Congress; why insist
upon penalties not essential to the public veal,
and which at the same time deprive the States
of the services of individuals the best qualified
to promote their welfare A loyal constituency
may well be intrusted with the selection of its
servants; and if it choose men who were once
disloyal, may it not be held to be the most
proper Judge of its own interests IL I'D -r.r.
The suggestion of General Sickles invests
these considerations with practical import
ance which has hitherto not been appreciated.
So long as the question was abstract in its ma
ture-so long as it was argued on its general
merits, irrespective of the circumstances of the
South, it possessed comparatively little weight.
It's aspect is materially altered by the testi-
mony of the Military Commander of North and
South Carolina. His competency as witness
cannot be assailed. The most rigid of the
faithful will not impugn his fidelity to the
radical idea of reconstruction. We have
deemed it our duty more than once to criticize
some acts of his administration as needlessly
severe and vexatious, but the fact that his
course has been in any respect susceptible of
this Interpretation, adds significance to his
present appeal. 1t is an appeal for the adop-
tion of a more conciliatorY policy towards
parties concerned in the Rebellion, preferred
by an officer whose errors have been on the
side of stringency, and who has had the best
possible opportunities of judging as well as to
the strength and trustworthiness of the loyal
vote as to the disposition of those in whose
behalf he recommends ''a more liberal am
nesty."
1t is scarcely possible that any legislation
will be attempted this session in the direction
! indicated by General Sicllles. We should be
! glad to see something of the kind engrafted
upon one or the other of the supplementary
bills now before Congress, not because it is
essential to the completion of the reconstruc-
| tion process, but because 1t would exert
! happy influence upon the Southern people.
| Meanwhile, under the law as it is, and as it
| will be when amended, a wide discretion is
| left to the district commanders, which, under
| General Grants instructions, may be used
most advantageously. True, this discretionary
authority does not apply to the disabilities
| which exist in the shape of exclusion from
Office, but it may iberalize and soften the dis
franchising conditions to an extent that would
! be extremely desirable.
Harsh as the policy of Congress is, we be-
lieve that it is not intended to entail prolonged
| punishment, still less prolonged injustice.
Senator Wilson's remark, the other day, was
but repetition of assurances given last ses-
rion, while the existing law was under debate
The present disfranchisement, he said in sub
stance, will be maintained only until recon-
struction shall have been satisfactorily accom-
plished. That finished, the penalty now
enforced will be remitted. Mr.. Sherman and
other Republicans equally pronounced in their
views have held similar language. We cherish
the hope, therefore, that policy more gene
rous than the strict letter of the law is by no
means remote, if the Southern people in the
interior comply with the terms laid down, and
so Justify the confidence which alone can
! camant q rastOred TTnion