The national Republican., 1867-09-10
OUR WRITTEN CONSTITUTION
rs 1T INvIOLABLE.


The country, both north and south, il
very much disturbed, and good deal ex
orcised upon the question Of reconstruc
tion. As an independent journal, we desirt
to say something respecting this vital ISSUE
which now agitates the nation. Our arti
cles Of Saturday and Monday we intended
as Introductory or antecedent statement.
which were naturally called out in the
proper elucidation Of the question oI
reconstruction, from our standpoint. We
shall not in any sense, while giving our
views upon this subject, be betrayed into
the too common error which has marked
this discussion as it has been put forth
from day to day in the columns of the
partisan political journals.
In order to obtain clear and full COM
prehension OF the numerous difficulties
which environ this whole matter Of recon.
struction, it is necessary to divest ones
mind Of all narrow partisan prejudices,
and predictions, and to view the subject
from that high plane of patriotism and
constitutional law so important to proper
appreciation Of all the relations which
appertain to a correct understanding of
the various and complex issues growing
out Of the many attempts to readjust these
rebel States, and to bring them as soon as
may be into harmonious relations with the
federal Government.
Two very distinct and very opposite the
ories in respect to the political status OF
these rebel communities, known as Con-
federate States, have been entertained, and
are still insisted upon by the adherents Of
each. 1t is not at all probable that there
will be harmony, or that the contest will
cease till the one or the other theory pre-
walls. The one theory is that the States,
notwithstanding their attempts to dissever
their connections with the Union, failed
completely failed; that they are still States
within the Union, and subject to the con-
troll Of the Constitution and the laws, and
also entitled to all the rights and privi-
leges Of States in the Union; that is, these
communities, having acknowledged them
selves conquered, having accepted the re-
suits of the war-the abolition Of slavery
and agreed to support the Constitution
and laws Of the United States. and taken
the oath to support the same, and having
repudiated the rebel debt; and that in
completing their State organizations upon
this basis, and by sending loyal men to
Congress-men who can take the oath
prescribed by that body-they should at
once be admitted to all their privileges as
complete and full as those enjoyed by the
loyal States, which never attempted to
break up the Union. This is the one the
ory, as briefly as we can state it, and what
ever else there is to it is Of minor consid-
GRAFTON. 1t might be stated more in de-
tail, but we believe our statement above
comprises the whole Of it substantially,
The President adheres to this view Of the
subject.
The other theory is that these States
are out Of the Union, or if not out of it.
their relations to it are SO impaired by the
rebellion that they cannot come back till
Congress shall pass laws in the nature oI
enabling acts, which laws being compiled
with in letter and spirit, and the righ'
men selected as members Of Congress
white rebels disfranchised, and loyal black
enfranchised, and oil their institutions ren
dered homogeneous and coincident wit
ours Of the loyal States, then, but not til
then, can they be in the Union. This theor
also proceeds upon the hypothesis tha
treason is a crime and ought to be pun
ishej, and that no man who was activel
engaged in attempts to break up thi
Union should have any part or lot in tn
work Of reconstruction. All such mus
stand back, and if in the future the
shall be admitted to citizenship, it mus
be Of mercy, and not Of right. They cal
claim nothing. Whatever they shall rt
Ceive in the hereafter must be considere
as free gift. 1t is purely Of grace, an
not of any right which inheres in sue
Fictitious circumstances as birth, residenc,
or former but now forfeited rights that CO
make them equal partners with us in th
carrying on the Government.
We believe we have now stated the tw
distinctive theories Of reconstruction {
they are now before the country. Upo
these two diverse plans the conflict hi
been long, fierce, and bitter-never mol
bitter than at this moment.
In our next we propose to look at th
merits Of these two diverse plans, and "
shall divest our minds of all partisan bia
and attempt the discussion with ii
sincere and earnest endeavor to reach th
truth in the premises, and to contribut
something towards harmony and recol
ciliation.