Gallipolis journal. [volume] (Gallipolis, Ohio) 1837-1919, 1867-03-28
supplementary Reconstruction
Bill,

The hnal PaseoS
Congress completes the work OF that
sodv on the subject of rscenstruc-
tiop. This supplementary bill Gre
ates the machinery by which the pro-
visions of the original bill passed by
the thirty-ninth Congress can be
fully carried inte effect, and in the
two bills together with the proposed
Constitutional amendment, we have
at least developed definite, tangible
and practical method of Reconstruc-
ton. When the Constitutional
Amendment was first proposed by
Congress, it was unaccompanied by
any pledge or declaration on the
part of that body, that, if accepted,
it should be an ultinatum and entitle
the South to restoration to her prac-
tical relation with the Government.
The present measure is not subject
to this defect. 1t in plain language
defines the terms and condition upon
which restoration can be secured,
and at the same time binds the Gov
ernment to restore to the South her
representation in Congress upon
compliance with those terms and
conditions. There is no longer any
room fer quibbling or uncertainties.
Congress has plainly said to the.
South, comply with the provisions Of
this bill, and yeur State governments
organized in accordance with its re-
quirements, shall be recognized as
having all the powers ofStates within
the urion, and your Senators and
representative again participate ia
national legislation. And although
the measure may not in all. its fea-
lures meet with universal approval,
Indeed it weuld be impossible to
devise a measure that should yet it
has this one great merit. it is the only
really tangible and practical method
of construction yet offered to the
country, and presents speedy and
practicable way by which the present
anomalous condition of affairs at the
South may be superseded by legal
and permanent civil governments,
organized and put in ration with
the sanction of both the Southern
people and the Congress of the Uni
ted States. Upon considerations such
as this, Reverdy johnson both by
his voice and his vote gave the meas
ure his full support in Congress, al
though he had previously been an
ardent supporter of President john
son and his policy, and an equally ar
dent opponent of every measure pro
posed by the Republican party in
Congress. And this consideration
alone, if none other, that it presents
definite settlement of this yexed
question, ought to comm end the
measure to the hearty support of all
sections of the country, without re-
gard to previous party views.
Congress thus having at least pro-
posed definite plan of reconstruc
ton, it remains for the South to de-
eide whether she will reorganize in
accordance with its provisions. And
the supplementary bill just passed
provides fer q speedy submission of
this question to the Southern people.
The Commanding Generals Of the
several military Districts created by |
the original bill, are required by the
act to cause a registration of votes
to be made before the first day of
September, 1867. and upon the COM
pletion of the registration and upon
thirty days notice, to cause an cleo
ton to be held for delegates to a
State Convention, and at this election
the question will be directly submit
ted to the people whether they are,
or are not, in favor of holding con-
vention for the formation of State
Constitution in accordance with the
provisions of the law Within few
months, therefore, the Southern peo-
pie will be called upon to pronounce
for or against reconstruction upon
the basis now proposed by Congress.
And that their decision will be in
faver of such reconstruction, the eyi-
dences from the South are daily ac-
cumulating. The expression of
public opinion, both through the
press and men of influence at the
South, seems to indicate determi-
nation on the part Of the late rebel
States. to accept the measure as the
best terms that can now. be obtained.
They have long since lost all faith in
President Jehnson's power to make
good his promise of unconditional
restoration" and are at last con-
vinced that the counsel and teachings
of the Democratic party at the North
have operated against rather than
for the true interests of the South.
Convinced at length that Congress is
in earnest in its determination to ex-
ercise the power, legitimately vested
in it, of recoIstructing the rehellious
States upon such q basis as in its
highest wisdom may be deemed best
for the interests of the whole coun-
try, the South will now accept the
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