The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1867-02-09
nrHE rLANKIsa novEMEHT."

The Chicago Times still continues to glorify
itself, and felcitate the Democratic party, on
the fact that President johnson has adopted
its "aank movement programme, which
caused 30 great sensation last fall, when
frs, enuncia.ed by the Chicago organ Of the
reunited Democracy. In its leading editorial,
devoted to that subject, Thursday, the Times
says:
The plan which the President has just submit
ted 10 the country viii be asssiled chiehy on two
grounds The radicals will allege that it embraces
the relief Of the South from all pains and disabili-
ties cor sequsnt upon the rebellion, and therefore
endangers the Government and they viii also
anese that il fails to provide sufficient protection
to the freedmen. The policy OF permitting those
engaged in the rebellion to enjoy all the privileges
of citizen ship we have above considered and as to
the protection of the freedmen, they, in the new
plan are placed on precisely the same ground with
The whites This IL degree of liberafity towards
them which those claiming TO be their only friends
have not extended in framing either STATE or red
eral laws The Constitutional Amendment made
no provision for the extension of suffrage to the
blacks Indeed IL was framed with the idea that
they would be excluded, and in il the right TO ex-
clude them i. distinctly recognized
We assaulted the plan, yesterday, On strong
err and higher ground, than either of those
mentioned by the Times, as unjust, unequal,
anti.republican. and aristocratic.
But how is it as to the grounds mentioned
by the Times? Theloyal people of this country
decided by an overwhelming majority at the
polls last autumn, that they would not have
Jeff. Davis myrmidons, the leaders of the
late rebellion, the authors Of all our miseries
to rule over US. The people declared thei
will in favor Of the Constitutional Amend
ment, which provides that the prominent am
notorious traitors Of the South shall nelthe
sit in the councils OF the nation, nor hol'
office under the Government.
Without any change OF circumstances, tn
Presidents plan simply ignores and repu
dates the fat of the people.
But as TO the protection Of the freedmen
the Times insists that there is great gain !
the Presidents plan, because "they ar
placed on precisely the same ground with tn
whites. Aud it is that principle, which III
Times endorses, as true Democracy, and t
which those who sustain this flank movement
adopted by the President. are now commit
ted While we admit the principle, that me
Of all colors, are entitled to equal rights, W
deny, that discrimination against the poo
and the ignorant, is a fair application of til
principle. But it involves no inconsistent,
for those who favor the Congressional AMEND
ment, to oppose the President plan.
The Congressional plan excludes the a ri
tocracy of slaveholding rebels, from voic
in the Government, while the President
plan sarrenders the control Of the South int
their hands.
Again, the Congressional plan based II
representation of the States, of the South,
the councils Of the National Government
upon the population, whom those States re-
missed as entitled to voice ia the Govern
ment. Hence, if they chose 10 exclude Il
negroes from suffrage throughout 3he Sout
that section would be shorn Of Que half OF i
weight in Congress, and in the electoral &C
lege.
These two features would secure the Coz
srnmen, against the dangerous influence
Southern treason, BY the exclusion of
leaders, and by cutting down lis represent;
ton. And at the same time, the latter pr
VISION would operate as a constant nresu
Of sectional interest, and political ambiuo
~ 'he negroes
the right Of suffrage.
The Presidents plan, on the other han
possesses no such virtues, but restores TO tr,
tors their forfeited privileges, in the counc
of the Nation, secures full representation
minority OF the people, in the nation
Councils and excludes nineteen-twentiet
OF the negroes, and large proportion of Il
population known as poor whites" from
voice in the Government