American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-01-23


feel that the power to alter or change the
character of the government abides in
them, go long will they be impressed
with sense OF security and IF dignity
which must ever spring from the con,
sciousuess that they hold within their
own hands remedy for every political
evil, corrective for every governmental
abuse and usurpation."
THE NATIONAL SITUATION
We are coniessedly in a transition
state. 1t is marvellous how pref udice has
perished in the furnace Of war, and how,
from the very ashes of oh hatreGs sad
OLD parties, tho truth rises purified and
triumphant The contest between the
Executive and Congress twice elected
By substantially the same su!frag's =
contest so anomalous IN our exper!epce as
not to have been anticipated by the
trainers Of the National Constitution, has
only served to develop the remarkable
energies Of our people, ani to strengthen
them for future conflicts. That contest
is virtually decided.
The victorious forces, physical and
moral, ofthe patriotic millions, are simply
pausing before they perfect the work Of
reconstruction. Twenty.six States have
not only been saved from the conhagra,
ton of war, but have been crystalig in
the saving. he unrestored ten, still
disafFeeted and still defiant, seem TO be
Providendally delaying th2ir return to
the Union, SO that when they re-enter
upon it's obligations and its blessings they
will be the better able to fulfil the one
aud enjoy the other. Their condition is
fearful warning to mon and nations. and
especially to ourselves.
Until slavery fell we did not fully unN
derstard the value Of Republican institu
tions. Accustomed to tolerate, and in
many cases to defend slavery, we did not
feel that its close proximity, so far from
assisting, was gradually destroying our
liberties; and i; wrs only when rebellion
tore away the mask, that we saw tho hid.
eous features Of the monster that was eat
ing out the vitals of the Republic.
II we are now astonished and shocked
at the exhibition Of cruelty and ingratl
tude among those who, having inaugura
ted aud prosecuted q causoess war against
a generous government, and having been
permitted to escape the punishment they
desCry are once more arrogantly y clans
oring to assume control of the destinies
Of this great nation, how much greater
cause would we have had for surprise
had slavery been permitted to increase
and multiply
Boast as we may of our material and
our moral victories, yet is it not true that
there is no such thing as a Republican
government in the ten States that began
and carried on the war? There is not
.o-day, a despotic State in Europe where
the rights Of the Individual man are so
defantIy trampled under foot, as in the
sections which were supposed to have
been brought into full submission to the
government of the United States. But
the disease has suggested its Providential
cure.
The abhorront doctrine, that defeated
treason shall not only be magnanimously
pardoued, but introduced to yet stronger
privileges, because Of its guilty failure,
seems t. have been insisted upon, as if to
strengthen the better aud the contrasting
doctrine, thpt q nation having conquered
its freedom, is its own best guardian, and
that those who were defeated in honOra
&c battle sAould be constrained to sub
NIT to ell the terms of the conqueror.
The violators OF the most solemn obi,
cations, the perpetrators of the most afro
cious crimes in the annals of time, the
murderers Of our heroic soldiers on fields
of battle, aud IN loathsome dungeons and
barbarJus prisons, they must not, shoHn
re appear in the council chambers Of the
nation, to aid in its legislation. or control
its destinies, unless it shall be on condi~
tions which will preserve our institutions
from their balelul purposes and influence,
aud secure republican forms of govern
ment, in their purity and vigor, in every
section Of the country.
That they are indisposcd to accept such
conditions is manifest from their recent
aud even arrogant rejectjoL Of the pro-
posed amendments OF the national Con,
stltution-amendme which are believ-
ed, by many true and patriotic citizens
and statesmen, to be too mild and gene
erous.
They have, however, been fully consider
cd by the people during the late elections,
and approved by majorities so large as to
give them a sanction which it would be
improper to either overlook or disregard.
Aud certainly in view Of this fact, none
of the late rebel States should be admit
ted to their former practical relations"
to the General Government, while they
continue to oppose these amendments
To the Congress OF the United States
the heartfelt sympathies and overwhelm
ing suffrages Of the people have BEEN
generously given. They have fearlessly
proclaimed their unequiyocal verdict
WELL DONE GOOD AND FAITHFUL SER
WANTS" Upon the deliberations and ac-
tions Of Congress our present interests
and fu'u wt4fre all depenl. In its
6rmu0ss and courage the whole oxperi
ment of genuine republicanism is indis--
soluhly involved That this frmness and
courage will be fully exhibited by its con
trolling majorities, in the origination and
adoption of measures of wisdom and dis.
] l.. 4