The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-09-06
Tho True Problem of Reconstruction.

Asnp from partisan considerations, and COM
Drebepsively considered, what is the problem
for the people of the United States in the
work of reconstruction 1t is simply to inau-
ourate selfgovernment, after the American
nlan in the different communities inhabiting
the late Rebel States.
What was designated as the Rebellion, with
reference to the general Government, was in
reality-so far as the Rebel States were con-
oerned-a revolution, and that too of the most
thorough and sweeping character. Not only
was the social status completely disrupted by
the overthrow of the institution of African
slavery, but the political corporations which
had previously constituted the organs of local
government were absolutely annihilated.
Upon the dissolution of the Rebellion in the
spring of 1865, the general Government found
thrown upon its hands eleven communities,
hitherto existing as corporate political bodies,
under various constitutions and laws, but now
absolutely without organization, without Off
GERS, and without law. But the ter
ritory inhabited by that people was a
part of the domain of the United States,
and they themselves were its citizens. The
duty, therefore, of the general Government to
provide some sort of rule for these people
would have been mandatory, even had the
Constitution entirely failed to provide for such
a case. Anarchy is the greatest of all evils,
and anarchy was what then threatened the
South. The Constitution, however, had pro-
vided that the United States should guarantee
TO each State Chat is, the people living in each
geographical State) republican form of gov
ernment. Here were certain communities
which had lost, or at least were not now in
the possession Of, governments of any kind.
The duty, therefore, of the United
States to provide governments, and
governments republican in form, was doubly
imperative. The work of reconstruction
is, therefore, in our opinion neither unconsti-
tutiOnal nor extra unconstitutional. Here were
communities, once existing as States, which
had lost their governments. They could not
reconstruct themselves, for there was no start
ing point of lawful authority among them.
The Constitution, in providing that the United
states should guarantee to every State re-
publican form of government, had provided
for just such a case as now occurred. Had there
been no such provision in the Constitution the
duty would still have remained, under the
general inherent powers of the nation as a
nation.
The work of reconstruction is thus seen to
have grown directly out of the war. 1t was
q consequence of the nations triumph over
the Rebellion. 1t was something that could
not be avoided. But how does it happen that
this problem has become the occasion of such
violent and persistent agitation? Simply
because the President has assumed to be "the
United States," instead of being, as he is, a
mere executive officer. He has attempted to
take the place of the law-making power, and
to make his "policy," instead of the Cohstitu-
ton and the laws, his guide. The work Ol
reconstruction was work to be done in ac-
cordance with law. Congress alone had
power to sketch the plan according to which
it should proceed. The Presidents duty was
to soait and act under the law, and according
to its provisions. But he was restless and
ambitious. He was not satisfied with the
proper functions of his position. lie had a
sspolioy' to inaugurate. So he went to work
and cooked up lot Of so-called State govern
ments, made according to his own notions
and by his own agents, and wher
the representatives of the people assembled hi
virtually said to them:-'I have reconstructed
the Union; l have remade these States ac
cording to my ideas, and admitted them to the
Union; you have nothing to do but to oper
your doors and let my Senators and Repre-
sentatives walk in and take seats with you !'
The most difficult, the most vast, the mos
important subject of legislation which had
ever presented itself to the American people
for settlement during their whole history
was thus to be taken out of the hands of the
law-making power of the nation, and to bt
settled according to the mere ipSe dirit of 6
single individual, and he one who had not the
slightest legal or constitutional authority tc
interfere with it in the slightest degree, except
to make recommendation to Congress
ever there was an example of high-handei
usurpation and of reckless contempt for tn,
Constitution, this was one.
But the ''policy' was as bad as the mean
were illegal by which it was attempted to b
imposed upon the country. Its main featur
consisted in restoring to political power tn
very Rebels whom we had just overcome i
the field, and in putting under their feet TIA
loval men who had sustained our cause an
A.