The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-05-25
pas;,a, Ideas of Reconstruction.


.,ose Of all the southern States, are sim
ccrcly DESTROYS of restoration to the Union
They are willing to comply with all the
conditions precedent required 10y the re-
construction acts. They know that their
present political condition paraiyzes IN
dustrv. closes the fsc of the capitalist,
keeps emigrants away, and leaves our
folds untitled, our minerals untouched,
and our manufacturing establishments
Idle. The northern people, too, it Is to
he presumed, are equally as anxious to see
the whole country reunitcd and prosperous.
We fear. however, that some of them are
not willing to make the reconstruction acts
a fiuality. The "Union Congressional Re-
puhlican Committee has just issued an
address to the southern people, in which
occurs the following language:
"Ry the acts herewith presented it will
bc seen that Congress reserves TO itself the
full and unrestricted right of Judgment
whenever State presents itself for adj
mission into the Union. That right will
be exercised fairly and generously. But
vet, in the interest OF peace and loyalty,
certain conditions precedent are laid down
in laws. These must be met. But beyond
these conditions Congress must be satisfied
also that the people OF the proposed States
respectively are, and are likely to be, ioyai
To the Union bv decisive and trustworthy
mai,ritics: that the institutions are framed
NM, IN, basis of equality, and that they
will from wear te year, and from age 10 age,
contribute TO the peace, progress, ana pros
p.ritv Of the States and of the country.
4" Bevond these conditions, Congress
,,,rs, No satisfied of our Radicalism," is
what This language means, accordlhS u
Tho New York World. Is it possible that
this committee speaks by authority : Is
there no reliance TO be placed upon the
Good faith of Congress? The conditions
laid down in the law are easily nndcr-
stood and the southern people are gene
rally DISPOSED to comply with their re-
ouircments. But these additional condl-
tions. which alo not "nomlnated IN Tue
h,nd ," ought not to be imposed upon US.
To do sowould be gross violation oil gooo
faith. This nonsense Of requiring the
southern people to frame institutions tha'
will i" from aye 10 age" "contrloute 10
pcace " reads like some of the illusions OF
the crack Drained fanatics OF the ENpELL
p,,r,rrrps strife, and not like the sober
rt,rranccS Of congressman. How IN the
r,,np of common sense viii! Congress be
ohra to determine whether our new constl-
,-tion will "lor ages" contribute TO
,ga,r, Shall We have peace by reason OF
making negroes eligible TO office! Would
free schools contribute 10 peace for ages
Womb 4 Maine law answer the purpose
We imagine that it would puzzle the wisest
Of the committee 10 explain satisfactorily
what is meant by such language.
Free Speech, Free Press, and Free
Schools" also figure in this address, as in
1nc one which we noticed few days
since. Here are the words:
The Republican party is the party Of
freedom and progress; 1t Is It's purpose to
mid In securing Tor the South freedom OF
speech. 4 free press, and system OF tree
schools. These desirable results Will be
sought through the action OF Congress as
far rs possible, but our main reliance must
he upon the wisdom and virtue of the peo-
pie q; the respective States
We need not add anything to what we
have already said in regard to that kind of
freedom of speech which the Radicals be-
lcyv In. But the bold avowal that they
will seek the establishment of free schools
in the South through the action Of Congress
ought 10 arouse the northern people to the
danger in which they as we'll as we stand
Of seeing the State governments practl-
cally destroyed and blotted out OF exist
euce. Such a proposition as that Con-
gre>s should or could force system OF
common schools, or any other system Vi
purely State concern, upon the se'elai
States would few years ago have me.
with universal reprobation, Nor'h anu
South. The Radicals are always i'',"s
sight Of precedents, as Mr.. Boris remihdeo
them, and forget that they inag 10 ~
dpr.d T. = minority very soon. lhey are
preparing whips to be useo upon 'A'o'' 0"A
shoulders.
Hon the whole, this address is bad
dnormant Il can do no good. 1t may do
,,,c,, harm. 1t will certainly tend TO rem
dor the southern people less willing to act
,,na.r tho reconstruction measures OF the
last session of Congress.