New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-11
PLAIN TALB
The BrOOklyR Union says:

The Constitutional amendments. as measure Of recon
sructOn are generally conceded TO have died the early
point. plainly doomed them. They sought 10 dodge the
question OF equal justice ~ the SOUTH aud, because they
sought that unfortunate aim, the dignity the hgh
tone, aud the real wisdom, Of the remaining provisions
could not save them They were the voice OF Congress
IL you VIII give your negroes two COugres Smcn, yOu
shall be entitled 70 two Tor yourselves; you refuse 70 let
still have your two. do justice, and your power
shall be equael by the power Of the freedmen you hate
OF political power in The state IL was very ma
tura that South Carolina and virginia and Alabama,
being very acute ia the perception OF their interests
interpreted the voice OF Congress truly and concluded 10
reject INC Daigan mere is binS l1aae IN some guar
that this bargain j. yet accepted by the South, IL Will
De regarded as in&iy, and the southern TtiIese nta
tVes viii he admitted, and the Southern bastard state
Governments viii be acknowledged as legitimate. Sens-
bic may wen be indifferent 10 the fate this effort
such declaration by the XNXIXtb Congress would pro
virtual confession that Congress does yet 10 over
turn the eSmate governments Of the South and esab
lsb In their place true Governments republican in form
Encouraged 10y such confession. and feeling that pOs-
session il nine points Of the law the South would hold 70
Its present position trusting that in time M Johnson
may accomplish the recognition OF their present state
Governments, Rebel In composition and 0ntrepublcan
In form, and their own consequent supremacy in STATE
politics SO long there remains giumorng hope Of
any such possibility, 30 amount OF Congressional uukey-
ism-DOt even though q committee OF Representatives
should lick the boots Of every uIrderOus and COYardly
General In the traitor armyw secure the abandonment
of theiriprcsent position ~ the South.
What then, remains 80 he douei First IL Is necessary
90 substitute Tor the usuTping Governments OF the South
ern states others based the Of al the people
VINO aft quaIed TO give fair and honest opinion to
government OF the constitutional power Of Congress to
take snch measures 10 undo the work which the Presi
dent never mad any right 10 perform and 10 give the
bOuthCr States true republican governments there * no
doubt than OF s power to levy aud provide
for the collection OF the public Until the repre-
senaVes OF the people are prepared 10 do this nothing
will can be done that viii permanently affect The once
ton OF reconstruction affect il at ali save to confuse
and more While the eb OF the South feel that thew
retain the tremendous advantage they have In tho
possession Of the machinery Of the State Governments
they viii be Indifferent to uythng Congress may do IL
Il not c. much consequence TO them that they cannot
send Gov. Orr TO the United States Senate 10 JON hope
never consent TO- 10 is Of great consequence to them
though, that they may hold the purseSJrng5 levy the
taxes manage the school system and control the lesa-
ton q the States, and OF all Southern communities The
only act whc6 they will respect IL Congress, and under
stand as fpaliCY, Is the complete overthrow OF the
Rebel usurpatOns In the southern States and the excu-
Sion from power OF the leading Rebels because they
leading Rebels.
Therefore the people demand from Congress that IL
proceed at once calmly and temporarily, but definitely
- this work We would not, however, have the wise
features OF the amendments discarded Let them stand
hhD governments organized in the sOuthern States
the proper republican basis let these amendments be
ne acquescence OF those governments, they Will become
art OF the organic law Of the land a measure Of
ecOnsuuctlOn having anything 90 do with the restOra
lOb OF tne eo1lhern states lot them 60 They would at
he people would have been willing 10 have seen sot6
err representation resumed They were so offered 10
the South They have been rejected or icnoreA No LEI
the work 60 without further reference ~ ,ssrcs
which, az FAR restoration Is concerned are as deed ~
o last years corps.