The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-03-06

at present Mashallahl Ib,7 Viceroy might
as well have asked tho Ottoman governments
at once for independence. Tru,.v tne sick
man y must be sick unto death, an tne pro-
vince of Egypt cannot long be his
Reconstruction at Lasf-Whnr the SoNtNera
states Ought Now 10 Do.
The recent decisive proceedings Of Congn'ss
in the important matter Of Southern reconstruc-
ton have already made profound and hopeful
impression upon the Southern public mind.
The Legislature Of Virginia has been called
tor. Their again, and Governor Pierpont has
sent In that body an elaborate message on the
situation, .counselling the two houses to accept
the ultimatsn,n of Congress in its full and true
sense. and resoi, rtions providing for reorgan-
izinr State Convection have been referred to
the appropriate committee in each house.
This is good sign from Virginia, the head
and front and nainstay OF the rebellion
Georgia next is thoroughly aroused ~ tho
movement of Ex-Governor Brown IN iavor Oh
frank acceptance Of the terms OF Congress.
Three.fourths of the newspapers O. the state,
as We are informed, support him bA most on
the DISTINGUISHED rebel politicians ~. pear %
be on the other side. AS for South Ca. ohns'
she has sent delegation to Washington %
SEQ about the commander who is to be a.
pointed over the military district number two,
which embraces North and South Carolina.
The new law declares that for the time being
"said rebel States shall be divided into military
districts" and subject, under certain reser-
vations, to military law, and that for this
purpose Virginia shall constitute the First
district, North and South Carolina the Second,
Georgia, Alabama and Florida the Third.
Mississippi and Arkansas the Fourth, and
Louisiana and Texas the Fifth district The
South Carolina politicians, therefore, with an
eye to busin esq, first proceed to look up THEN
military commander.
From all these movements it is evident that
the people of these outside States are begin.
ming to comprehend the real situation Of
things, in the collapse of the Presidents
policy and the fixed purpose and power Of
Congress- The South might have done great
deal better, and Mr.. johnson, too by following
our seasonable advice but as broken eggs
cannot be mended it is useless to debate the
upsetting of the basket Until the States con-
cerned are reinstated in Congress they can do
nothing to help themselves or their friends,
and Congress has the absolute control over
this subject. There is, then, no alternative for
said States but submission to and the fulfil
ment of the terms of restoration laid down by
Congress, and the sooner the better. Nor need
the great body of the Southern whites stand
back because their blind leaders in the rebel
lion are excluded from this work. II those
leaders can be reached by common sense they
will advise and assist in these essential labOrs
Of reorganization.
The Southern landholders, in their control
Of Southern black labor, comprising in most
cases their late slaves, may, if they win, con-
troll the black VOTE and also the loyal whites to
very great extent, who are mainly Of that class
known in the South as "poor whites" Look
ing to this end the Southern planters ought to
take hold Of this business at once; for If they
lead off actively and systematically in meet
ing the conditions Of Congress every State In
volved in these necessities may be restored to
both houses in season to have voice in The
coming Presidential election. Against the
old landmarks, may regard the vote Of The
South for the next President with indifference
But they cannot SO regard the important qucs-
ton of the return Of financial confidence and
Northern and European capital, skin and en-
terprise in the Southern States Restoration
will settle this problem at once in such new
epoch Of Southern prosperity as no Southern
confederacy dreamer ever dreamed Of under
King Cotton.
And yet again, in behalf Of Southern int
rests and the general welfare, the votes Of the
Southern States may be very powerful in Con-
gress in the reconstruction Of our whole 6nanr
cial system, national banks, bonds, currency,
internal and external taxes, retrenchment and
reform, which, taken all together. will soca
mark the dividing lines of . new organization
of parties. II is also certain that when any
these conditions Of Congress all disfranchise-
ments and disabilities on account OF the rebel
lion will be removed. These inducements
and browning advantages of material prosper
ity, political power and full restoration to all
the blessings of the Union ought to bring even
the Southern rebel leaders temporarily disfran-
chised to active cooperation in behalf Of tho
ultimatum of Congress. The Southern white
landlord, If he will only try, may make hia
black laborer political ally for life against
all corners and all political combinations.
Thus, with this very element Of the negro
vote, the South, in behalf Of Southern inte-
rests, may soon assume more compact front
in Congress than It has ever held heretofore.
Every consideration OF wisdom pleads for
Southern submission promptly and in good
faith to the terms Of Congress. II Is SO ct
tied, and there Is no way Of escape.