Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1867-02-28

1
fatal to the welfare and freedom of
the millions of men freed from Slave
ry, by the consequences of the dis
/ loyalty Of the South.
That there was wisdom in delay,
has been "a growing sentiment here,
! for somo time. There has been no
desire on the part of the people for
the immediate adoption of Recon
struction laws-hecause there is ev-
cry evidence that the Rebellious
States are mol yet fit to become mem
bers of the Union The last Con-
gress adopted 4 series of Amend
ments to the Constitution, which have
been submitted TO the Legislatures
of the States, with what result En-
boldened by the Perhdy OF JOHNSON,
every Southern Legislature, which
has taken action upon them, has con-
temptuously rejected them. Yet these
Amendments are so mid IN their
character, 50 just and proper in their
requirements as to commend them
selves TO every reasonable mind
The Republican party was so far
committed to them, that we do not
see how Congress could have refused
admission to Southern Congressman
after their ratification. That these
amendments have been thus igno-
miniously rejected by the South,
shows the great change that has
taken place in Southern sentiment,
and the prevalence of that disIoyal
and rebellious spirit which has al.
ready cost us So much of treasure
and blood. The Southern people have
tyranized so long over the North
they have ruled the political destinies
of the country with such unlimited
sway in the past, that they cannot
and do not realize that the mower Ias
departed from them, and that the
Freemen of the country are bereaf.
ter destined to rule the nation, They
! will not learn anvtbino and il is
hopeless to expect ANYTHING loval or
sensible from this generation. The
leaders are Just as ready for Rebel.
lion, as they were in 1861 and un-
der the policy Of JOHNSON, they have
come to look upon their late treason
as honorable
The bill just passed will probably
be vetoed by President JOHNSON. 1t
may be passed over his veto, though
there are enough Republicans in the
House, who do not believe it is yet
time to pass such an act, to defeat it's
passage. The bill substantially pro-
vides that the Rebel States shall re-
tain their present governments, but
merely as provisional governments,
under which no person who, as the
third section of the Constitutional
Amendment enacts, "haying taken
Z" an oath as an officer of the United
" States, or as a member of any State
Legislature, or as executive or ia.
"dicial officer of any State, to sup
"port the Constitution of the United
" States" shall have aided the Re-
bellion, is eligible to Office. And al
so under such governments no dis.
elimination in reg ard to color shall
be made in the elective franchise.
While these provisional govern
ments exist, the Rebel States are to
be divided into military districts,
governed by officers of the army.
with power to organize military
courts superior to State authority.
The people of the Rebel States,
whenever they are tired Of this gov
eminent, may, by a vote Of all their
citizens, without respect to color, ex-
cept those disqualified from holding
Office by the Constitutional Amend
ment, elect delegates to Convention
to form State Constitutions. When
these Constitutions are established
upon the basis of impartial suffrage,
and are ratified by the people, and
when the States thus organized have
adopted the Constitutional Amend