The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-10-15
TAo worl, of Reconstruction and RestO-
"0 ration to 20 Forward

soutberu people to abandon all lurIher AouOn
,nder the Reconstruction laws, and to trust to
,be assumed ''reaction" which has set in for
return to power of the Democratic party,
under whose auspices it is promised that all
that has been done shall be reversed, and the
soutb shall be reconstructed on the basis of
caste and aristoCracy.
We cannot regard this advice as either wise
or practical. 1t is not wise, because the in
terests Of the country all demand that the
work of reconstruction shall be hastened rather
than delayed. If constitutional State Govern
ments were already in existence in the Rebel
States, we should urge their admission at once,
Irrespective of the political character which
their several communities might be likely to
hereafter assume. And so, whenever any
one Of these States, having reconstructed itself,
and organized constitutional State Govern
ment, shall present itself for admission into |
the Union, it will be admitted. The people |
will never consent that these States shall be |
Kept out of the Union to accommodate any |
political party. They are not now in the
Union simply because by their Rebellion they
lost their State Governments, and have not
yet been able to constitutionally organize new
ones. Under the guidance and aid of the Gene
raj Government, many of them are already
well advanced in the work Of organizing State
Governments to take the places Of the old
ones left vacant by the Rebellion; and as soon
rs that work is completed, they will be ad-
mitted, reaction or no reaction. If the
people of any of these States should be so
foolish as to listen to this advice of our North
ern Democratic leaders, and refuse to act
under the Reconstruction laws, their folly and
contumaoy will not be allowed to prejudice
the interests of those who in good faith do act.
The proposed plan for delaying the restora-
ton of the Union indefinitely or until the
Democratic party can get into power, is not
only hostile to all the interests of the country,
tending to prolong agitation and strife, but it
is impractical. 1t cannot be done. The char
aoter Of the lower House of Congress cannot
be changed SO as to make any change in
national legislation until after the 4th of
March, 1969-nor the Senate be so
changed as to give the Democratic party posi-
tive power until at least one or two years
subsequently. Does anybody suppose that
this great question is to be held in allegiance
till thenG Is nothing to be settled But say
our Democratic wisacres whatever Congress
may do subsequent Congress may undo
This is not always true, even OF ordinary
legislation and in regard to this question of
reconstruction it is very far from the truth
A State once admitted into the Union cannot
be expelled theretrom by Congress. 1t can
only lose its status as the Rebel States did, by
rebellion and at least temporarily successful
revolution. Now the people of Louisiana
and of Alabama have just voted, by large
majorities, to hold Constitutional Conventions
for the framing of Constitutions and the orga-
nization of State Governments within their re-
speotive limits. These Conventions will be
held, and Constitutions adopted, and State
Governments organized. They will then pre-
sent themselves for admission into the Union,
and will be admitted, their Senators and Re-
representatives. taking their seats in Congress.
Louisiana and Alabama will then be restored
to the full position of States of this Union,
which they held before the Rebellion. They
will then have the same rights in the Union,
and the same control over their own domestic
affairs as are possessed by Pennsylvania. The
work will be done-the fact accomplished.
Now, we would like to know how, when the
Democratic party comes into power, if it ever
does, it is going to undo all this Will it
ezpeI these States Will it abolish their Gov
ernmentsH Suppose the Constitution of
Louisiana shall provide for universal suffrage
among the citizens of that State, what is the
Democratic party going to do about it How
remedy it How prevent it The thing can
not be reached. The result will stand.
The probability is that majority of all the
Rebel States win have been reconstructed and
admitted into the Union before the expiration
of the Official term Of the present Congress.
Whatever is done in that way cannot be un-
done except by revolution. We conclude,
therefore, that the work will stand. Nor dc
we think that our Democratic leaders will re-
commend themselves or their policy to the
favorable consideration of the people, by en-
deavOring to postpone the reconstruction and
restoration of the Rebel States. The interests
of the country are too important to be thus
trihed with. What the people want is the
speedy settlement of this whole question.
They want to see the Rebel States organized,
State governments in full operation, the reign
of law fully restored, and the Union once
moro sound and unbrol1en. They are not
willing TO postpone all this TO some indefinite