The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1867-01-25
-HoN.IoHN a. RINeHAm.
His Position ON Reconstruction Set
Forth, and his Speech ON Thad. Ste
~arSs RtEI p~-R,Enad

So far in this session there has been
no general expression of the individual
opinion OF Representatives on the ques-
tion of reorganization in the South.
But given for guess, one would say
that our majority in Congress is divi-
ded into two parties, viz: Restoration
ISIS and Observation-Disclosures is, those
who believe in feorganizing Govern
ment in the South on the present con-
dition fittings there, and those who
advocate the destruction of the exist
ing Governments, and the establish
ment of others. Ablest and foremost
among the adherents of restoration is
Judge Bingham, of Cadiz, to whose
profound legal learning are added the
eminent qualities of an orator. The
acerbity OF manner with which Mr..
Bingham has met and treated the pro-
positions of various Repu blican Repre-
sentatives, during the present session,
had almost gained him of late the un-
pleasant reputation of being in sympa-
thy something too cold with the inte-
rests of his Radical friends. Some
feared even that he was lapsing away
among the apostates, like Raymond
and SpauldiDg, who, if they claim at all
to be a part of the great party with
which they pretend to act, are its
fringed and ragged border.
But whoever listened to the Judges
eloquence yesterday will not hereafter
dissociate him from those whose loyal
ty and love to their country and whose
attachment to the great principles of
freedom are most strong. In opposing
Mr.. Stevens bill and defending the
constitutional amendment proposed by
the Committee on Reconstruction last
session, he held for an hour and half
the undivided attention of the House
and galleries and took his seat at the
close after burst of eloquence rarely
equaled on the floor. r-i
Mr.. Bingham desires the same re-
suits as his political associates, but he
desires that they should be secured in a
different way. He desires that all leg
islation shall be after and under the
amendment to the Constitution, which
he believes the panacea for all evils.
After the clear exposition OF his opin-
ions yesterday, the country will be in
no doubt as to the tenure by which he
holds them. But when his friends
have admitted the sincerity of his con-
victions, Mr.. Bingham can scarcely ex-
pect or hope that they will not still
claim the privilege of differing from
his views. Indeed, he may congratu-
late himself if they continue to extend
to him that charity for his opinions,
which he too frequently, it is objected,
| fails to extend to others for theirs. For
in revolutionary times like the present,
little discrimination is apt to be made
between men who differ from the ma
in sentiment. Mr.. Bingham is fin
| ished lawyer and n strict construc-
ZIONIST of the Constitution, CARRYING
about him its articles and sections, as
| is said of Lord Brougham with the lam
! guages, like a bunch of keys swung to
his girdle. But the very acumen of the
| lawyer may diSqualify him in meas
ure for the duties of a legislator, espe-
cially in crisis like this, when it Is de-
manded that legislators.shal know how
to act in accordance with the spirit,
rather than with the letter of the Con-
stitution. Forms may be insisted upon
after their life and vitality have depart
people of the South would CO.
operate with the General Govern
ment in restoring them to privileges
under it, the constitutional amendment
was regarded us the fit legislation by
which that restoration might be effect
| ed. But one by one the Legislatures of
the existing governments in the South
have rejected this amendment, and for
the purpose to which il Was originally
framed, the restoration of law and 10y
| atty there, it is no longer competent
| legislation. In the true spirit of radi-
calism Mr.. Bingham urges that this
amendment shall be considered the law
of the land when it becomes adopted by
the required majority of the loyal
States. But what hope can there be of
enforcing its provisions over govern
ments of the South, organized and con-
trolled as they now are by men whose
official position correspond with the
services by which they have distin-
guished their hostility to every princi-
ciple of the amendment? With the
present experience of the country an
amendment to the Constitution, with a
design of comforting national protection
over the life and property of the citizen,
can be regarded with interest only as a
piece of general legislation, and not as it
in any manner affects the restoration of
wholesome government in the South.
The alacrity with which Northern Leg
islatures ratify the amendment is most
cheering, as il indicates the progress of
the public mind toward just sentiments,
which would protect mems rights in
spite of circumstances and locality. But
the end Immediately desired, the reor-
gsniLation of the South into political
communities, controlled by the justice
of republican institutions, can only be
effected by turning out the men who
are at present in power there, and re
placing them with loyalty.
There must be, in short, reconstruc-
ton, and not restoration. The amend
ment which Mr.. Bingham and his
friends so persistently urge upon Con-
the last determination of the American
people, that hereafter there shall be
no distinction of rights in American
citizenship, on account of color. If
this determination was not cherished
as a sentiment, the time has come when
it must be urged as a necessity. Sure
ly our human blood does have a moral
dow, since things are SO organized that
justice, however long deferred, becomes
at last expedient. Just now the safety
Of nation hangs upon the condition
of throwing the weight of the poor de-
&c
atty, into the political scales against
mass of treason much cloudier than
the black mans shadow. What will
the America of a hundred years hence
say of the America Of to-day, who
stands paltering over this simple JUS
tice until her very selfshnsss snatches
| it from her grasp? The future will de-
eide. think, that we were not out of
barbarism yet. Restoration must go to
| the winds. Restoration has its neces-
sities, chief among which is suffrage
for the negro. Mr. Bingham and the
amendment stand no chance against
this demand of the hour. The eIo-
| quence of the Judge has perhaps killed
Mr.. Stevens bill Mr.. Ashley's may
| fall by its incompetency for the issues.
But out of the legislative wisdom of
the nation there will come another
whose stubborn virtues shall sap inf
deity from its foundations. and make
loyalty the corner stone of the repub-
| lie. w. J.fA.
AN ITEM CoNcERNING PRICES IN
PAR1s.-A Paris letter in the London
Telegraph contains information inter-
] esting to Americans who propose to
visit the Exhibition:
1--WE are getting near Exhibition
| time now, and of course must be pre-
pared to pay, SO do not for one-I