The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-04-03
will the Connect cut Election Delay
Reconstruction


SINCERE regret must be entertained by the
Republican party, and with it by all lovers of
the Union over the result of the Connecticut
election. We do not speak of that event in a
partisan sense. Viewed in its influence on
the radical party, it is an insignificant acci-
dent, which will not delay the progress of the
principles for which the Republican party has
battled since its birth. What effect can the
loss of three votes have on the majority of
four-6fths of the House of Representatives?
OF what consequence is the accession of Mr..
English to the gubernatorial chair of the little
State of Connecticut on the destinies of a
national organization? In its actual result it
is extremely trivial. So, also, in its
proximate effect. 1t is all very well to
say that the signs of the times indicate the
Generalization of the radical party. Even if
the Connecticut election was a precursor of a
revolution in Northern sentiment, it would
not be felt until lapse of two years, and by
that time the South would either have sue
cumbed to the Military bill or else cease to be
within the power of resurrection. And when
it is remembered that it is really no contention
whatever, but only an accident brought about
by the introduction of the labor question on
the one side and the nomination of weak can
didates on the other, we are willing to let the
Democracy derive what comfort it can from
the unprecedented triumph" They may
head their articles, ''The Dawn" or "Dinna
we hear the slogan" and the like, but so far
as the North is concerned, we do not fear the
result.
The effect, however, on the South we antici-
pate with anxiety. Will the Southern people
be deluded into the belief that a revolution at
the North has commenced, and will they leave
the path on which they are just entering, and
return once more to their perverse wander
ings? We earnestly hope, for their own sake
and for the sake of our common country, that
they will not. Never will people have made
a more disastrous, more ruinous error than
will the Southerners, if they believe the
Democratic party of the North is again COM
ing into power, and trust to it for support.
The articles on the part of the Democratic
journals are calculated to produce such
result, and it is, therefore, that we fear the
consequence at the South The late Rebel sec
ton has Just commenced to take the steps
which will lead once more to harmony
between the late antagonists in battle.
It has lust commenced to see the
condition of affairs in the true light, and act
more wisely. In so doing it is fastening
towards restoration of its rights, and repre-
sentation in Congress. If this petty triumph
in Connecticut induces it to turn from the
road pointed out by reason and necessity, and
if it leans on that broken reed, the Democratic
party it will make itself an example which
will be lesson to readers of history. The
great body of the people of the North are sin
cerely rejoiced at the prospect of the readmis-
sion of the South and the establishment of
the old friendly relations. But at the same
time they are determined that, if the South
will not submit willingly, and accept in
good faith the new order of things,
or must be made to submit by rod of iron.
We have the motto of Richelieu, "Use all
means to conciliate; failing these, all means to
crush" A general and sweeping confscation
may and doubtless will ensue, if the military
reconstruction is discarded. As lovers of our
great country, as sincere friends of all sections,
we earnestly beg the Southern people, for
their own safety as well as the national good,
not to be misled by the election in little hesi-
tating State but act like men and secure your
rights of citizenship by conforming to the
laws.