The Montana post. [volume] (Virginia City, Montana Territory [i.e. Mont.]) 1864-1869, 1867-01-05
REJECTION OF THE CONSTITU-
TIONAL AMENDMENT.

Whom the Gods wish to destroy, they first make
mad"
President johnson in his last message
of il to the question of reconstruction,
and urged upon il the duty of admit
ting the representatives of the southern
States, whose credentials they have hith-
erto refused to accept. Although ad-
herring to his past policy, and dodging
the important issues presented to the
people. and upon which they have deci-
ded at the last elections in such an Un-
mistakable manner; the tone of the mes
sage was pacific and conciliatory, and
entirely devoid of that fierce malignity
which has hitherto characterized his
conduct and speeches. While present
ing no arguments which have not already
been considered by Congress and the
people, this message expressed such an
ardent desire for an amicable adjustment
OF the difference between the coordinate
departments of the government, and a
restoration of harmony between the
North and South, that il was received
as an overture for reconciliation, and
produced a marked effect upon the Op-
position members. Believing the Presi-
dent TO be in the confidence, and the
champion of the southern people, and
that this appeal was designed to pave
the way for their return to 1" fraternal
relations" and "an obliteration of past
differences under the requirements of
Congress; Ben. Wade-than whom there
is none more radical-declared in the
Senate that if the southern States
passed the Constitutional Amendment
he should consider himself bound to vote
for the admission of their representatives
without any additional guarantee" and
it was believed that in this policy suffi-
cient number would concur to secure the
admission of the southern members, and
make the second grand step toward the
establishment of national unity and
harmony. In this juncture the action
of the southern Legislatures upon the
constitutional Amendment, which had
waited for with the most intense anxiety.
Their answer has come. They have been
rejected. They have spurned the olive
branch, and cut down with relentless
hands the bridge which the people of
the loyal States had designed to bridge
the gulf that separates the two sections.
Unwilling to acknowledge even yet the
inexorable logic of events blind in their
folly; rash and presumptuous in their
impotent rage, they have made one
more attempt TO sever the thread that
sustains the Damoclesian sword sus-
pended over them, and rejected with
naughty contempt the most magnani-
NOUS overtures ever offered by victo-
rious government to subjugated rebels.
Aware of the impetuous, fiery disposi-
ton of the southern people, and their
continued adherence TO the doctrines of
secession. we had thought that a regard
for their own welfare and a knowledge
of the utter folly of retaining hostile
attitude toward the government, would
have led them TO ratify these amend
ments and thus secure representation in
tho councils of the nation. There are
still ten States remaining unrepresented
and the chairs of fifty members of the
House and twenty of the Senate, are
vacant. The effect this action of the
South viii have upon the proceedings OF