The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-02-01

are very happy to be more fully assured
that Mr.. Stevens was mistaken in asserting that
the reference to the Joint Committee on Recon
struction of his bill providing for the reorgani
zatlon of the ten States not now represented in
Congress was equivalent to an indefinite post
poHement of the subject. On the contrary, we
understand that the subject has already been
taken up by that Committee, with a determina-
tion to perfect and report bill that ought to be
passed, and to pass it at this session if possible.
And though but five weeks remain, with very
much TO be done, we earnestly hope that their
efforts NAV be crowned with success Better
let two or three appropriation bills, or even the
revision of our internal tax system, go over to
The called session OF the FoTdeth Congress, than
fail TO pass reconstruction bill.
AS to the great leading features of that mea-
sure, we have repeatedly offered suggestions
that have not been favoTaby received; aud
we may fairly presume that the Committee de-
sire no more from this quarter Yet the sub
ieot is of such transcendent, such imminent
consequence, and the peril OF misleading with
II 40 very grave, that we must once more solicit
their attention. Even if it were certain that
our views would be disregarded, that would not
discharge us from the responsibility OF offering
The chief mistake made by Congress hitherto,
in our Judgment is that it seems to contem-
plate the people OF the States lately IN revolt
as divided politically into barely two instead
of the actual three classes, which are as fol-
lOws;-
j. Those who, though possibly coerced or
frightened into yielding some aid TO the Rebel
lion, were always at heart Unionists, and re-
ioiced when the COntederacy was overthrow.
2. Those who, sincerely believing in slavery
and State Sovereignty, went heartily and
promptly into the secession movement, and
fought il out on that line until they were un-
depably beaten; but now honestly and frankly
say, owe appealed TO the sword, and the issue
lis decided against us; we accept the result in
good faith, with all its legitimate consequences
and will henceiorth Loyalty maintain the Union
as of paramount authority, and the rights of all
its people as established by the triumphant
Emancipation policy"
3. Those Who-no matter what they may say
or swear-are at heart just as much Rebels
to-day as they ever we're; and, being debarred
from further open, manly hosulities by defeat
keep up cowardly, sneaking warfare, by way
laying and assassinating individual Unonists,
especially blacks, besides burning negro school
houses and subjeCtiDg the unfortunate race to
every form OF abuse and outrage. These
crimes, though seeming isolated and casual,
are really prompted by the spirit of rebellion,
and imperatively demand the sternest and
promptest repression, IN the interest alike of
natural justice and national integrity.
Can we be wrong in our conviction that the
action of Congress hitherto has seemed to 1s'1s-~
the second of these classes, and oe1cuiaSeG az W
drive its members back into the tnlIu IL CuoSe
who were once ReSeis pqV ID are So1oy IA n as
exactly like Semmes or Pollard, how are we to
develop and ditfuse hearty Union sentiment
among those who have at any time been Rebels
Does not such treatment tend to drive back into
the Rebel fold thousands who might and should
be henceforth pillars Of Unionism? How shall
Unionism be expected to grow and flourish al
the South, if we repel accesslons to Its rank
after this fashion!
We beg all TO understand-snce there seems
now to be no obvious temptation to mtsconceivt
that there is no "siCkly sentimentalty," M
''humanitarianism, no special tenderness Il
or rpnuuOqnpp tO npOaI lnflctlOnS. il
this view of the matter, but simply sound, har
sense. The distinction we insist on is real
palpable, and important. IT we are ever TO sJo
the murders and outrages to which loyal me
are still subjected throughout portions of tn
South, we must have the aid therein of UnloI
lists who we're formerly Rebels. We can nave II
it would be culpable not to have it. Then VIII
not take such course as promptly to secure 1t
Mr. Stevens Reconstruction bill OF this Sc
sion was about the first submitted from our sic
of the House which clearly recognized thu
there were thousands of good Uni0nlsts at Il
South who have been Rebels In this respec
it marked signal advance in the Congresslon
apprehension of the subject We think the pos
tions therein affirmed might be more happl
developed and more accurately applied; put u
right principle is clearly recognized In his Dll
and-Whatever else the Joint Committee on
construction may dove trust, nay, we entrea
that this principle be embodied III their fort
coming measure
AS to those school-district oracles who st
talk as though military execution might
wisely decreed and extensively enforced again
three or four millions OF people, argument wOu
be wasted on them. Silence retutes them wi
adequate cogency and respect. But to tho
who can distinguish what is practicable fro
what is nakedly impossible, and who would n
have an empire lie waste amid general poverJ
insecurity, and suffering, while they prosecute
fanCiful, illusorY projects of vengeance, su
gestons may be made with some hope of l
sulting advantage To such, certainly we ne
hardly urge the wisdom of embodying in Il
forthcoming measure of reconstruction all Il
kindly, reConciling provisions that are intend
to be carried into effect. If, tor instance, the
are to be no further prosecutions for simL
treason, let the bill so provide. If there are
be no more contscations, or none but und
certain aggravatlng circumstances, let tn
likewise be specified. And let all the requir
conditions of reconstruction be distinctly
forth; so that any State which shall in 90
faith comply with them shall thereupon
promptly restored to self-control and represC
tadon IN Congress. We hope, 1t may not
ound necessary to leave anything essential
CONTINGENCIES. Let us have plan which e.
CITES fSelf, or which must at all events be e.
eubd.
DO we seem to cavil and complain wht
the hick-snl-thin partisan finds everythi
loVely5andNs entranced with.admiration ]
as closewith citation from one of the great
Amerlcas Cough he was South Carolinia
dugh >. regale, who concluded his memora
speech III he house against the Sub-TreasI
scAeme as olloNs:-
...hoIa nave sokeL what have felt and thoul
y tLoss Ie;SlhTee ;l D party. But will say one W
70 snOS9 wSsn Hhomt have generally acted on
the measure buaTe soe 20 o. ota te or a. ta pb
taSs a trIe Sn S TIM strange and a great I
ks: sior at H5e tSsm IrSd ght to be faithful co
the s great poet pun in NE mouth Of one OF
whsn soSRs eda dsT sREo1 y head or made pau
Or turned an eye OF oqbtSpSon S nv face