Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1867-11-07
VIZ. Inhnsan,s Leffer.


you say, that, being case not provi-
ded for by the Constitution-no mode
of reconstruction prescribed in that
instrument - Congress is the sole
Judge of what the exigency requires 7
Surely position so illogical will not
be assumed. If Congress could find
no mode Reconstruction in the Con
slitution, it proves, what is true,
that no reconstruction was necessa-
ry; that the moment these States
laid down their arms and renewed
their allegiance to the Constitution,
ipso fact0, they were entitled to re-
newal of their practical relations to
the Union. If Congress had recog-
nized this irresistible logical conclus-
ion. there would have been no further
difficulty about restoration. Where
Congress finds no authority expressed
or necessarily implied in the Consti-
tuition, 1t has no power to move a
finger. 1t is the creature and not
the master of the States. The
Constitution is its letter of attorney,
outside of which it cannot act
Hence, though it should be true that
by their attempt at secession, and
failure, these States placed themselves
outside of the Constitution (Which is
a very absurd proposition,) Congress
is not outside of the Constitution.
They are bound by it, and they can
not legislate upon any subject, for
any purpose, in any way, not sane
toned by it. They are SDOTn to sup
port and obey it and if they were
to attempt the folly Of legislating for
the inhabitants of the Moon, they
would be bound TO conform TO that
instrument of fundamental and para
mount law. If ICE may not claim its
benefits, they cannot, without moral
guilt, knowingly violate its provis
ions. II is a law to them as stern
and exactng as the decalogue.
Although believe it would be better
for the negroes themselves and for the
Republic that they 90 forever unrep-
resented, rather than turn over the
Southern States to their dominion,
under the Congressional scheme, yet
Lam not lnsensible TO the force Of the
proposition, that four millions of free
people ought, if possibly compatible
with good government and the safety
Of the white people, to have a voice in
the legislation Of the country. Nor
do | believe there is an intelligent
white man in these States who would
not readily award to them represent
alton upon such a plan What we
wish is good government; we do not
wish them to be serfs because they are
black. At the same time, we are IN
alterably opposed TO surrendering to
them the political power of She South
ern States without come sufficient
check; inside of their organization,
upon their folly, or their ignorance, or
their vengeance. 1t is cruel, in the
North, TO insist upon a contrary poll
cy, such as that embodied in the Con
gressional plan of reconstruction.
They ought to unite with Us, since
they are determined upon their en-
franchisement,i ,iu devising some scheme
that will be, at least, safe for the pro-
lection Of all. This is the grand dis
sideratum; for if the political organ
ism furnish the majority with no
means Of peaceable redress, within it.
self, against the oppression Of the ma
jority, they will ultimately resist it by
force. This will inaugurate conflicts
between the races and produce the
most horrid scenes Of bloodshed. Can
il be done ] should have strong
hope Of success if the dominant power
would pause and grapple with the
subject as statesmen determined TO
preserve Constitutional liberty 1t
can be done in but one way, so far as
/ can see, and that is the plan ad-
vanced by Mr. Calhoun. in his admira-
bic "Disquision on Government"
Afler showing that the mere right of
suffrage, without some other provis-
ION to cOunteract the tendency Of Gov
ernment 10 oppression ard abuse Of
power, by the numerical majority,
will not suffice, be SAYS:
"Ihat this provision H. e., the pro
vision necessary TO couuteract such a
tendency must be OF a character cal
culated 10 prevent any one interest, or
combination of interests, from using
the powers of government to aggran-
die itself at the expense of Others.
Here lies the evil; and just in proper
tion as it shall prevent or fail to pre-
vent il, in the same degree will it effect
or fail TO effect the end intended to be
accomplished. There is but one Ger.
tain mode in which this result can be
secured and that is, by the adoption
Of some restriction or limitation which
shall so e6ectually prevent any one
interest, or combination Of interests
from obtaining the exclusive control
Of the Government as TO render hope
less all attempts directed to that end
There IS, again, but one mode in which
this can be effected; and that is, by
taking the sense Of each interest or
portion Of the community which NAV
be unequSlly and injuriously affected
by the action Of the Government. sen
arately, through its own majority. or
an some other way by which the voice
may be fairly expressed and TO re
quire the consent Of each interest.
either 10 put or keep the Government
in action. This, too, can be accom-.
plished only in one way, and that is,
by such an organism OF the Govern.
ment-and, if necessary for the pur-
pose Of the community also-as will.
by djriding and distributing the hon
ors oi government give TO each divis-
ion or interest, through It's appropriate
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