The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-09-16
The Coming Political Revoiutiou-Its Cause
and Its Object.

nave been deceived as 70 the real lntentlOns OF
the revolutionary majority in Congress, and
have supposed them to be actuated by an
honest desire to re-establish the Union upon the
broad basis of universal suffrage and the guar
antee of civil rights to all citizens, independent
Of color. The elections Of 1865 and 1865 were
carried by the republicans upon this distinct
platform. On no other issue could they have
SO completely swept all the loyal States and
secured their present overpowering majority in
the House Of Representatives at Washington.
The truth of this is established by the resolu-
tons adopted by the republican nominating
conventions and National Committee pending
the popular elections Of the past two years In
1865 the democrats attempted to create q re-
action in their favor by endorsing the recon-
struction policy Of President johnson, and en-
deavoring to convict the republicans, upon the
evidence of the speeches Of some Of the violent
radical politicians of their party, of unfriendl-
ness towards the administration. The republic
cans denied the justice Of this imputation, and
in their platforms took especial pains to show
that it was unwarranted. Their principal ap-
peal to the PEG pie for support was based upon
the argument that, as the political associates of
the President, they could be more safely relied
upon as his friends than could the members of
an organization that had been accustom d to
oppose and denounce his acts. The Republ-
can Convention in this State, held in Syracuse
on September 20, 1865, resolved, among other
things, that we approve, as eminently wise
and just, the sentiments Of kindness and conf
dence which President Johnson has evinced
towards those of the communities and individ-
uals lately in rebellion who accept the perpetu-
alton of the Union and the perpetual prohibi-
ton of slavery as the legitimate and irrever-
sble results of the war that we approve the
initial steps he has taken towards relaxing the
bonds of the military authority in the Southern
States, and in restoring to their people full. and
complete control over their local affairs just so
soon as may be found compatible with the pre-
servation of order, &c., and that in
all the measure, he may adopt tending to the
attainment of thoss just and benefcent ends
we pledge him our cordial and hearty sup
port" The party platforms in the other States
were not less emphatic than that OF the New
York republicans in their endorsement of
President Johnson's endeavors to remove mill
tary rule as speedily as possible from the South
and restore the States to the rights OF civil
government.
Before the fall elections of 1866 came
round there had been an open rupture
between Congress and the President.
Violent speeches were made upon the
floor of the Senate and the House,
some looking to coniscation as punishment
for he rebels, and others to impeachm ,nt as
revenge against the President The prudent
men on the republican side, understanding
upon what issue they had carried their S ates
in the preceding year, rebuked and checked
the ultraism of tleir reckless associates. The
South was still out Of the Union, and no steps
ton. Conservative Congressman saw that to
go before the country only upon the issue Of o
heated quarrel with the Executive, without
putting Congress in the right by offering on its
part a practical method of reconstruction to
the country, would be to rush on political
suViCiOiSy CoiiiCu tuiVu8h
bo.h houses the constitutional amendment the
gist and substance OF which was, that "when
the right TO vote at any election for the choice
of electors for President and Vice President of
the United States, representatives in Congress,
the executive and Judicial officers of State, or
the members of the Legislature thereof, is de-
MED to any of the male inhabitants OF such
State" on account of color, then "the basis of
representation therein shall be reduced in pro-
por ion" 10 the number of male citizens thus
DISTINGUISHED. The National Union Commit
tee, in an address issued to the American peo-
pie, warmly endorsed this principle Of recon
siruc.ion, explaining its intent and meaning
in these :words:-"A Safe which chooses to
hold part of its population in ignorance and
vassalage-powerless uneducated, unfran-
chised-shall not count that portion to bal
ance the educated, intelligent, eniranchised
citizens of other States" The republicans OF
New York, in convention at Syracuse on the
5h OF September, resolved "that the pending
amendment to the constitution proposed by
Congress, which defines citizenship in the United
States and the civil rights Of citizens, and which
equalizes national representation among the
several States, &c, commends itself
by its justice, humanity and moderation to
every patriotic heart; and that whenever any
Of the late insurgent States shall adopt such
amendment, such State should at once, by lis
loyal representatives, be permitted to resume
its place in Congress"
These were the issues upon which the re-
publican party carried the elections all over the
North in 1865 and 1866 first, as The advocates
Of speedy removal of military rule from the
South and the restoration of the Southern
States to their civil rights; and next, on a pro-
posed plan of reconstruction admitting the
Southern States as soon as they adopted
a cons itutional amendment which left to them
the right enjoyed by every other State to make