Nashville union and dispatch. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1866-1868, 1867-02-12


GRESs-ITS WEAKNESS AND IN.
BECILITY-THE RECONsTRTCTTON
REPORT.
The so-called leader" Of the House Of
Representatives on Wednesday submitted
TO Congress a bill embodying the plan OF
reconstruction adopted By his committee.
Were u not matter Of serious and dis
tressing modification to the country, we
might feel disposed to unite in the general
smile with which IL is received by the peo-
pie. OF the many weak propositions that
have been made this is the weakest Of the
many impraciicable propositions, this is the
most impracticsble 1t is positively worse
than TO proposition.
When Lee surrendered, every Rebel
Stale government also surrendered when
armed rebellion was abandoned, the civil!
authority-of the rebellion was abandoned.
and the Confederate and Rebel State organs
nations dissolved, and become extinct.
Since then Andrew johnson has recon-
structed the old State governments and
Congress, instead Of proposing TO demolish
these reasonable organizations, or even to
put them on the basis Of universal suffrage
proposes 30 permit them 10 remain as gov
ernments ds tacto Of the several States. and
set five Brigadier Generals, 10 be appointed
by Andrew johnson, 10 watch them. This
IS a retrograde, instead OF 4 forward move
ment. 1t carries us back to the condi
iien Of things at the close of the war. with
the addition Of reviving and. bv implica-
ton. recognizing and legalizing the rebaI
governments which expired with the re-
bellion. II initiates nothing new; il leaves
- Dbl = r
subject 10 the military authority, precisely
as they now are and proposes no reform
whatever As long as the military are
under che orders and control Of the Pres-
dent, the degree 10 which the civil satitority
shall be subordinate 10 the military, Is an
ayoidahly within his discretion. That il
the case now. Were those Rebel govern
ments not the favorite children Of the
Executive the military rule would now lie
the superior, il not the only, authority in
those districts. Mr.. Stevens bin has no
other practical effect than 10 give legality
10 JOhnsOn's illegitimate organizations, and
the sanction Of Congress 10 the basis on
which they exist. There is not a remedy
or a protection given 10y his bill which is
not already furnished bv the civil rights
and Freedmen Bureau acts.
The country wants some substantial mea-
sure. and the committee offer them thing
Of straw. The country wants legislation
that will put all other questions at rest by
securing universal suffrage. This bill ex-
tends the suffrage 20 no human being On
the CONTRARY, it winSs at THE deprivation
Of that right under which the colored men
now suffer. Il confirms the existing lisur-
pations whereby loyalty is prescribed, and
treason invested with the authority 10 rule.
II is barren Of all benefits TO the people al
large, or 10 the loyal men in the Rebel
States, and leaves the whole subject of re.
construction 90 be disposed Of by further
legislation. In short il has no moral basis
whatever. .. ..r ....
II is folly for Congress 10 proceed as If
they were ignorant Of what the people de-
sire. Suffrage and civil government must
60 together No government, civil or mill
iary, will be long tolerated which prescribes
the loyal man aud elevates the traitor 10
power and place. Let Congress. unless II
wants Andrew johnson TO 90 before the
country with a plan, and the only plan
offered, begin al the foundation and make
universal suffrage the test. without which
there shall be 10 civil government Of any
kind in the Rebel States. Let them pr6-
claim that fact by constitutional amend
ment, and thereby abolish, or sweep away
the present usurpations, which are nothing |
more nor less than the old Rebel govern |
ments revived. Let them provide by an |
enabling act that when the people Of those
States, or any portion of them, shall be
prepared for a civil government, with uni
versal suffrage secured beyond contingency,
they shall resume their places in the Union.
Congress must know that this is what the
people demand; they must know that the
people will accept nothing less as satisfac-
tory, and that any other scheme is bat
ielusion and a snare.
Meanwhile Andrew johnson accepts the
.imidity Of Congress as evidence Of their
fear Of him, and he will treat them accord
ngly. He has presented TO the people
plan Of settlement, ombodying much Of the
amendment to the constitution now pend
ing before the Legislatures Of the States
II has the virtue Of being piaa-having /
a definite result il adopted. The people
who, last fall voted with such unanimity
10 sustain Congress, look in vain 90 that
body 10 for any practical measure II is
all froth-a total neglect Of duty, a viola
ton Of all implied pledges and seemingly /
A surrender 10 the Rebels and to Andrew
johnson. Moreover, the suddenness with
which this moonshine plan was thrown out
gives rise 10 the suspicion thai Congress
lid not intend 10 present any plan until
Andrew johnson came forward with his.
Congress has wasted its time devising a
,cheme 10 double the taxation Of the conn
ny for the benefit of a class. The corn and
wheat of the Northwest have been taxed to
he extent of seventy per cent. Of their cash
value at the place Of growth Congress has
Ios had full time 10 attend 90 this Job Of the
Eastern capitalists, but upon the great ma
ional question of reconstruction and suf-
rage, all they can show at this late day Of
he session, is an abortive scheme. the only
PRACTICAL effect of which can be 60 legalize
he usurpaiions of Andrew johnson. and
eep alive the Rebel governments which he
escued from the ruins OF the late Confed-
racy. IL was not for this that the people
oted last fall and Congress should know
" this Time that the people know how 10
'unish those who break faith with them