The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1867-02-21

For the News.
The Democratic Party, Pastand
Present-WhO is Responsible
for the Delay in RecOnstruc-
tiOn?
Mr.. EDIToR:-The attitude OF the Dem
ocratic party, present and past, gives occa-
sion for some reflections, which 1 propose
to make through your columns.
This party, having placed itself upon the
platform Of the right of Secession, denying
the right Of "coercion" as against insur-
rectionary States, did what it could to EN-
barrass the Government in the successful
prosecution Of the war to put down the re-
bellion. The nation, in spite Of this party,
which voted the war for the preservation
of the Union ga failure" having, by ex-
traOrdinary eXertions, and the sacrifice of
many noble lives and the expenditure of
millions of money, put down and subdued
all open and organized rebellion, propos-
ed, by certain measures, to secure the re-
suits, and settle all the issues, upon per-
manent basis, which could not be disturb
ed by every breath of party.
Congress has submitted certain PROPOSE
tions for Amendments to the Constitution
certain conditions of reconstruction and
rehabilitation which are believed to be
reasonable and necessary guarantees for
future safety and only furnishing the
leading traitors in the mildest manner pos
sible. These Amendments were fully dis
cussed before the people ofthe loyal States,
and an overwhelming majority of those
who had fought for the Union, aud sus-
tanned the Government throughout the
mighty struggle, pronounced them just
and right. They are the conditions which
the loyal upholders of the Government
claim the right to impose upon those who
tried to overthrow the Government, as the
conditions of their forgiveness and restora-
ton to the privileges of citizens ofthe L. s.
The nation, in a spirit ofgenorosity, and
for the sake of facilitating the reorganiza-
ton of their States upol loyal basis, of
fered these propositions to their voluntary
acceptance. Prompted by treachorous
Executive, and the encouragement of the
Democratic party, they have rejected the
terms of reconciliation with unanimity-
some of them with scorn and contempt.-
They demand restoration to their position
in the Union as before the war-untram-
meled by conditions, upon terms ofequali-
ty, with all their rights rs States una
bridged, with all their treason unatoned
for, their crimes against the nation and
humanity unpunished.
Here, then, is the point which we as a
nation have reached. Who is responsible
for the absence of loyal Represen tatives in
Congress from 10 States of the Union?-
Who is responsible for the state ofanarchy,
the continuance of blood shed and violence.
which are still rife and rampant in the
South? Is not the true answer "Andrew
Johnson-seduCed by his own vulgar am
bition, and the batteries of the Democratic
party, from his allegiance to the great
Union party"2
But what do these Amendments to the
Constitution propose, which the Democrat
ic party North and South have rejected
with such unanimity? One of these
Amendments is, "that no person shall be a
Senator or Representative IN Congress, or
elector of President or Vice-P President, or
hold any Office, civil or military, who.
having previously taken an oath to sup
port the Constitution of the L. s., shall
have engaged in insurrectiOn or rebellion
against the same, or given aid to the enc
mics thereof"
Now, docs not that Consti tuition, for
whose sacred integrity the Democratic par
ty now profess so much reverence, pro-
nounce the levying of war against the
Government the U. States treason, and
do not the laws of that Government de-
nounce the penalty of death against all
traitors, their aiders and abettors? Here
is part of the Constitution which seems
not to have come under Democratic notice.
With such men, whom the Democratic
party worship and admire as patriots, they
would fill the Presidential chair and the
halls Of Congress, and of them make Gov
ernors and Legislators Of States.
10 we JuuBe hashly of this party, when
we.say that their action wtnks at treason
Do they not in egeetsay, tltsSR thero can be
no such crime as treason. against the Gov.
erhHent, and that war carried on against
thenation merits no PenaltlesY
There are. several other points in those
Amendments, one of which is, the
provision that there shall be no repudia-
lion Of the National Debt incurred for the
national defence. Another is the provision
that the rebel debt incurred for the
overthrow of the Union, shall never be
paid by the States or Nation. Now, do
not they tthe Democratic party place them
selves in the attitude of saying to the
world, ave will give no pledge against the
Of the loyal debt, or against
payment Of the rebel debt. We consider
hem both about equal in their obligations
upon the Nation2"
The attitude OF the Democratic marty is
hen, that the late terrible war decided
nothing-the whole vast expenditure was