Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1867-02-07

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THn Wheeling Intelligeneer, in an
editorial complimenting Mr.. Bingham
for his opposition to Mr.. Stevens, re-
construction BILL and his defense of
tue Constitutional Amendment as the
acceptable plan ofreconstruotion, says:
The country stands upon that amendment.
1t is the offer of the loyal States to the
South. 1t is their proposition made 10
good faith. 1t was not put forth to tantal
iss them, but in o generous and heDerstle
spirit. IF accepted il secures representa-.
ton to soy Southern State. f'o .la-
AT the time Congress presented the
! Constitutional Amendment as basis
Of reconstruction, 1t soas the offer of
the loyal States to the South, was made
in good faith, and contained what were
conceded at the time as the mildest
terms, consistent with the public safety,
upon which Congress could re-admit
TO political power the States that had
been under the control of the rebellion.
The conditions were mild, the terms
were considered magnanimous, and
were adopted by Congress and ap-'
proved by the loyal people in spirit
Of concession and compromise never
before equaled, under like circum-
stances. II the South has not met this
spirit of concession in the way 1t should
have met it, and accepted the olive
branch rendered, the whole difficulty
Of reconstruction, or, if preferred, re-.
adjustment, would have been settled,
and the country rid of its annoyance.
ThsSouth, however, did notl SO meet
il; but, under theinflusnce of bad ad-
vice, she very men who were the lead
ors OF the rebellion, speaking for the
South, utterly and contemptuously re-
pudiate the Constitutional Amend
ment as basis of reconstruction.
What are we to do next2 Would II
be wisdom in the leaders of the Union
Party to quietly fold their arms and
say, 1--WE have presented fair basis OF
settlement, and can do nothing but wait
until it shall suit the convenience OF
these reconstructed rebels to accept
the terms we have ofered2" Certain
ly not. Tho loyal people Of the coun.
try impsratively demand Of the Union
majority in Congress plan of recon
strnction that shall be successful. They
are not very particular about what thu
details of that plan shall be; but, i
Some successful plan is not adopted be
fore the next Congressional elections
the duty Of maturing and adopting Il
will not be entrusted to the hands o
those who are now controlling the mat
ter.
Du,ins the progress OF the rebel
lion the public sentiment Of the peopl,
became more exacting in its demands
for scversr aud more onerous condition.
every time the rebels refused to comply
with the demands of the Government
until, tthe end of four years, the rebels
after the loss Of slavery, the conflsca
tion Of their property, and tue devasta
tion of their country, were compelle,
70 submit as conquered enemies, with
out terms or conditions. In the matte
Of reconstruction, they have merel.
asked for such guarantees as prudenc
dictates rs absolutely necessary for th
public safety, although they nigh
have demanded much more onerou
conditions, II the South, in the hand
of her enemies, who have no right t
control her destinies, refuses to accep
these conditions, then IL becomes tn
duty Of Congress, as the representa-
tive OF the people, to devise such
plan OF adjustment as will prevent tn
reconstructed rebels of the Souther
States from controlling their destiny
The rebels Of the South have repud
ated the Constitutional Amendment
The rebels of the South never will az
cept any tsrms Of re-adjustment. The
why make any offers to themp TIL
loyal men Of tho South would, n
doubt, willingly accept tho amendmen
If they were consulted. Then VIII
NO. consult them
We hold II to berthe duty of Cor
grsss, In view of the action of the sc
called Legislatures Of the Souther
States In rejecting the amendment, I
adopt without further delay plan G
re-adiustment that shall exclsde froI
power every disloyal man in the Soutl
and place the power In the hands c
those who have been loyal, and "
think the people Of the North expec
such action from the Union men i
Congress-
GuberRatOriaI.
Gen. q. D. Hayes and Hon. Asrc
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