American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-10-23
The Rane and Antidote.


ent hostility of the Democratic party, to
a reconstruction Of the Union on what
we conceive to be the enduring basis of
equal rights, with sufficient guarantees
for the future. the pacifcation OF our
country has been delayed and seriously
endangered. Instead of being thorough
fly re unitef, and firmly fesstablished III
our former strength aud prosperityias We
should ljuglsince have been, we are still
discordant and without that perfect re !
pose that the industry of the country so
much needs. More than two years and
a half have passed since the rebellion as
an armed adversary ceased to exist. The
change from state oiactual war to a con-
dltion ofpeace was sudden and TO bear
without serious detriment the consequent
ces of q vialeut reaction likely to follow
such a sudden change it was, and Is, of
the highest importance that the country
swould have an actual and substantial re-
pose So far this essential condition has
been denied her by the unwise ,aif not
criminal, interference of the President
and his supporters. Congress has teen
assailed at every step itohas take IN the
work of reconstruction, and each time
with increased violence and rancour
The Executive, not content with the
constitutional mode Of opposing the meas
ures Of the lie islative department, has
,nterposed obstacles to the enforcement
of laws that we're passed over his veto
and has, ih his interpretation of these
laws, robbed them Of their purpose aud
destroyed their efficacy In all this he
has been applauded by the Democracy,
and encouraged in still more desperate
resolves until 1t would seem no act of
usurpationis is too bold for him 10 attempt,
Had itnot been for his treachery, and
the encouragement given him by the
Democracy of the North, the question OF
reconstruction would long, ago have found
a happy solution The Union would
have been restored in all parts all class
es of men would have had equal pro-
lection in the law; the industry of the
county would have received the
aud been better able to withstand
rejection Of the future eur former
prosperity would have been restored to
US again, and the country would to-day
be rejoicing in the happy prospect of an
enduring peace, with the certain promise
OF increased greatness, and still more
brilliant trimphs than those which make
our past SO glorious. adt ,h '1uo
| There is as little TO extenuate this pres.
idential treachery as there was TO excuse
the treason OF the South, and the Demo-
cratic sympathy il receives and by which
it Is supported, is as destitute of patriot-
ic feeling as was that7which cheered an
encouraged the rebellion. There is
nothing in the course of Congress to
excite the opposition of any fair and i'm )
partial mind 1t has been characterized
/ throughout by lofty devotion to the
Federal Union, careful regard for the
truest welfare of the people, firm all
herenco to principle and law, aud so far
as the people of The South are coucerne
its legislation with regard to them is
marked by msgnanimity and generosity
that is without parallel ia political his
tory. We have read history to little
purpose if tbere is single Instance re-
lated where aggravated guilt, such as
that committed by the South in its re-
bellion, has bern as fully forgiven and
as lightly punished Congress has de-
manded not one single thing in vengeance
of those who worked such fearful mis-.
chief; it has asked not one single iarthirg
Of any of those who forfeited life and all
else by their crimes; but in it's no..
BILE generosity has relinquished its s'claim
to every thing, by reason OF It's triumph,
except sure guarantees for future obedi-
dience to the law aud regard for the con
stitution, which implies neither disgrace,
nor loss, nor injury of any kind to. any
person, and which it was in duty bound
10 require. The great object Of its legis-
lation has been security for the future,
and not indemnity for the past, Left to
them selves, the Southern people would
gladly and gratefully have acceded to
its terms long ago aud assisted cheerdully
in the restoration Their rejection Of
them is due solely to the influence which
we have before deprecated Encouraged
by Mr.. johnson aud his supporters to
hope for terms that imply a reward for
their treason, they have madly refused
those offered aud have arrayed u emselves
in stubborn opposition to the demandes
of the country.
In the meanwhile the issue is between
the President and Congress. Mr., John
sons usurpations have been limited only
by his fears No one who has watched
his course can doubt, that he would long
ago have resorted to more violent meas
ures than any he has yet attempted had
the elections one year ago been more ia
vorabIe to his friends. Emphatically
and Indignantly rebuked by the election
of a loyal Congress, his craven soul
shrank from the performance of the bold
work he had seriously contemplated
| Still intent on forestalling the success of
| Congress, and anxious to accomplish his
base designs, he may be deluded by the
willy conspirators around him into the
belief that the result Of the late elections
indicate a reaction In public sentiment
and an abandonment of Congress by the
people, and thus be nerved TO take anoth-
er step forward: Such a notion would
be a delusion, but none too gross for Mr..
/ Johnsou' n accenfance tn Eonoraos III q