The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-01-24
RECONSTRUCTION.
The Presidents New Scheme Am aestY
and Universal Suffrage, Etc.

Vhe BEeHlOenEB new Scne"e-h"ANhN
and Universal Suffrage, Etc.
From the NsW York Times.
WASHINGTON, January 23.-Early in November
last l informed you that leading politicians OF
the North and Republicans, Democrats,
and ex-Rebes alike-had been in conference
upon Iplan whereby, should it be adopted, it
was believed the unfortunate differences be-
tween the North and South, and between the
Executive and Legislative branches of the Gov
ernment, would be satisfactorily adjusted;Iand
also informed you that these gentlemen we're
urging the President to adopt this scheme and
recommend it 70 the favorable consideration Of
the South.
Suffrage and amnesty formed the basis of that
proposition. Mr.. johnson gave to the sugges-
tions of these patriotic gentlemen the most
careful and sincere consideration, and was at
once favorably impressed with them. But mas
much as the amendment to the Constitution
was then before the people, and its adoption or
rejection undecided, the President deemed 1t
impoitic. If not altogether improper, to present
the matter 10 the country, believing as be does,
and he has acted upon this belief the aeser-
tions to the contrary notwithstanding, that the
Southern people should decide upon the pro-
posed Amendment without let or hiDdrance
! from the Executive
! The time has arrived when it may be safely
assumed that the Constitutional amendment
| will fail to receive the approval of any one OF
| the Southern States and upon this assumption
! Mr.. johnson is considering the propriety of
/ giving his approval to the main features of the
| scheme first above mentioned, and of recon-
mending its adoption by the Southern States,
| in Difference to the demand of the people ofthe
North, and in which Southern representative
men who have been heard upon the subject
acquiesce. The President thinks that the negro
population of the South should have such safe
| guards thrown about them as TO secure to them
the permanent enjoyment of their freedom and
. Of all civil rinhtG
The negro, armed with the ballot, can as well
protect himself as any other citizen. AS Mr..
Johnson interprets the Constitution, he does
not discover any power in the general Govern
ment to legislate upon the SUBJECT of suffrage
in the States. In whom rests the exclusive
control of the matter? Some of the Northern
States, Massachusetts and New York, for eX-
ample. have given the ballot to the negro.
In one of them Is an educational, in the otner
a property qualification, and 1t is asked why
may not South Carolina, for instance, be placed
upon the same footing with Massachusetts, as
to those who shall hereafter be admitted to the
elective franchise, and why may not the loyal
representatives of the former be admitted to
Congress upon the same footing as the repre-
sentatives of the latter? Working out this plan
in practical form, let the people of the State
of South Carolina so amend their Constitution
and laws as to extend the elective franchise sc
far as Massachusetts has done.
As an incentive to this reform the President
intimates his readiness to issue a proclamation
of amnesty to all the people of South CarolinS
! who may nave approved tue movement. Thi
reform accomplished, the people of that State
elect loyal Representatives to Congress, blacks
voting with whites as indicated above. 1t would
then rest with Congress to determine whethe
these Representatives should be admitted
have good reason for saying tha
this plan tor adjusting. the exstin'
difficulties in the way of reconstruction
IS now receiving the serious consideration o
\ the Administration, and has been discussed il
Cabinet with a view to its adoption. 1t differ
from Mr.. Greeley's amnesty suffrage scheme il
this, that il provides for separate State actol
and proposes qualified suffrage, and it leave
impracticable and uHrepentent Rebels still sub
ject to the penalties for treason, amnesty ant
suffrage each being qualified.
1t leaves States to the exercise of their const
tutional prerogative of prescribing the qualif
cations of voters and extending the electiy
franchise to the negro; to the Executive tn
dispensatiOn of pardon and amnesty; and to tn
Legislative the admission of loyal representa-
tives to the respective houses of Congress. Eacl
branch of the Government thus harmonlous
moving IN its appropriate sphere.