The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1867-01-10

ihcut iur fPpoitipiiitl IL n0M Will
Congress, uhol may az any TING ndjus
Relations between the States, ADD bsinI
harmony Al the country by the adlbis
sion Of loyal Representatives. M,
\ power Is with her, aud / trustshc ma,
mot forget tho lnorncntous consequence
t,inselyea IN her action. ss----s raer-s
Congress is the recognized arbiter o.
tile Qualifications Of its own members
If the apprehension of renewed disloy
atty is still expected 10 roanimate. the
prostraie poople sFtbe Soo,h, Why ma,
fshc riot sly 10 tho southern States
rwlo-s lscprcerntssiscr urc without tho
Observation-Disclosures upon .har stand
ard. send Us loyal mes aud VIC viii ad
nit them T;iis would settle the ducs
ton ut once the power Is in her 6wi
hauls, aud SO has resided irum tht
origin of this controversy. The South
eau really girUiio substantial guarautecs
that she has not already given. VIZ
asked for the abolisbmeut of slavery
she conceded it. We asked for rcpu
didtion of the debt contracted durius
the rcbelion--this she conceded also
Now We arc told that furthcrgu1rantccs
are to DO secured; while she is weak
aud powerless and at o,s mercy. #
! but where is this contest to end, and
what are the people to gain BY 1t
J AVE have just Terminated one of the
most stupcnddle conflicts that has ever
marked the progress Of people, either
IN ancient or moderh times. This nation
wants repose, aud still more does she
want the cooperation of her whole poo.
pie, in her return TO the arts of peace.
The Southern States-so important il
the geographical position which they
occupy, and their productive power and
resources, are now awaiting the action
of Congress. Their great staples in
times past have poured golden tribute
into the National Treasury Shall all
this continue to be lost to us +! Shall
We madly attempt to hold these States
by standing armies--by despotic res.
strnints, or by the good will and coop,
peration of the people themselves That
rs the simple question which presents
itself for our solution. The Southern
States will hang like a sickly aud with.
ering incubus upon the body polite
until their relations to the Union are
restored. The issue involves no sacri.
hee OF honor on tho part of this Govern.
nent' 1t Is an issue Of prosperty-of
iinancc--of destiny. l should look upon
the subjugation of'these States and their
reduction to territorial dependencies as
the greatest calamity that could belaI
this country; and we must trust to the
wisdom mud magnauimity of Congress
to avert the confusion which is certain
TO flow from the adoption Of SO suicidal
n policy, ~ 900 7'' '1.
History affords no Instance where
people 50 powerful 10 numbers, in re.
sources and in public spirit, after war
SO long ini,s duration, SO destructive
ia its progress, and 50 adverse in liz
! issue, have acceptcs defeat aud It's con.
sequence with SO much of good faith as
has marked the conduct Of the people
lately 10 Instruction against the United
States. Beyond all question this has
been largely due to the wise generosity
with which their enforced surrender was
accepted by the President Of the United
States and the Generals in the jmme.
date command of our armies, and to
the liberal measures which were after
wards taken TO restore order, tranquility
aud law to the States where ali had
been for tile time overthrow. No stems
could have been better calculated 10
eonlmandthe respect, win the confidence,
revive the patriotism, and secure the
penmaucnt aud nfTcetionate allegiance
of the people Of the South 10 the Coz.
stitation and laws of the Union than
those which have been so firmly
taken aud 50 stcadfast'y pursued by the
President ofthe United states"
The Executive, Legislative and ia.
dieial Departments of this Government
are clearly defined in the Constitution
Congress makes laws in accordance with
the Consultation. and the President cx-
ccutes them. But the Consultation
never intended that the President
should stand by aud witness the passage
of unwisc laws without the interpretation
ofhis veto power. / am Yet to learn
that in the exercise Of his own he
President has ever encroachcd upop tl,c
Functions of the .co-orliupto branches
with which he is associated in his plan
of reconstruction. There can be no
eonflct, Of authority if each keeps With
10 is prescribed sphere, and We may "a
safely assume that an attcmpt at usur-
patton will never tarnish tue = fame Of.
the present Executive. ~ 7" q
iH4 The great obstacle IN determining
this yexcd question Of reconstruction, rs Is
the future status Of the negro race. 81
bs The Constitutional Xmepdmcnt means r,,
this and nothing else. The fear Of dis.
loyalty Is not to be thought OF for a NC NO.
ment and the proposed change il The.
basis 81 representation points to negro
suffrage aud the equalization of tho IA.
Ices. There are four millions Of negroes e
to be dealt with. Ii this element were
Insignificant or out Of the way there
would be no talk of Constitutional 4
mcndmlcnts, But the power Of the
soath isto be held in check at least, ii
not appropriated BY the extr inc mon Of
the dominant party. 's III 81