West-Jersey pioneer., 1867-04-19
OUR NATIONAL pRoGREss

of the United States TO no oinconsiderablee extent
and forms the most prominent feature of con
versation. As is usual, when important in
terests are at stake, politicians seize upon the
occasion to magnify and enhance their own
peculiar views, in order to profit, SO far as
they care by the principles they enunciate, no
matter whether they are conservative of the
future good of the nation, or whether they
contribute directly to its disadvantage. In
the present condition of our national affairs,
1uulclous consideration. Inc aur.uur -
sumed by the reoellious States, encouraged.
as 1t has been, by very many circumstances
ana poilucai factonists at the North, has
been the source of much disadvantage in the
work OF re constructing those States and peo-
pie who Instituted arme resistance to the
authority and power of the General Govern
ment. Had these circumstances been of a
more propitious character, and had the men
who espoused the fatal heresy of rebellion
rightfully considered the terrible consequences
which were palpably imminent, much of the
serious evils and hindr ances which have in
terposed in the way of amicable adjustment of
the difficulties resulting from the late war.
would have been removed, and, to-day there
would not have been witnessed such an antag-
arm of the Government. But, emboldened by
the encouragement given to them by their
sympathizipg friends at the North, as well as
in the position assumed by the President in
his official speeches, messages and other acts
the misguided leaders of the rebellion in the
South are almost as impudent and defiant in
their demands as they were while preparing
to inaugurate that conflict which resulted in
their discontinue and defeat. Ready to seize
upon any advantage which they apprehend
might accrue TO their cause, aud failing to
rightly appreciate the temper and power of
their subjugators, they have rushed blindly
into the idea that their acts of treas on have
not changed the status of their States, nor
altered the relations they sustained to the
National Government. This fallacious senti-
ment is now the most insuperable barrier in
the way of adjudicating the questions at vari-
ance; and, basing their line of policy upon the
unconstitutional basis, several Judges of the
Supreme Court, at the request of Andrew
johnson, have given decisions favoring the
claims of the seeded States to full representa-
tion in Congress, and participation in the
law-making prerogatives of that body. But
able and eminently constitutional lawyers,
both in and out of Congress-, who are just as
competent to give legal decisions as either
President johnson or any one of the Judges of
the Supreme Court, entertain far different
views; and, as the loyal people of both North
and South agree with Congress and their own
convictions of right, it is presumption and
folly on the part of rebels and their allies to
persist in the policy they have laid down.
1t is presumption because the sentiment which
everywhere permeates the loyal heart will
never yield to such heresy; it is folly
because the uncon iitional admission to repre-
sentation of the rebellious States, would be
but legal encouragement to another revolt,
whenever the insurgents felt themselves suffi-
ciently prepared to commence it. 1t is pre-
sumption because it would be a tacit acknow-
Judgement, on the part of Congress, that the
Constitution of the United States does not
invest that body with power and authority to
punish the enemies of the nation; it is folly
because it is an insult to the intelligence of
that body, and libel on the patriotism of the
North.
Yet, it is vident that all this array of op-
position to the national authority is but an
natural transit into that policy which must
finally terminate in reconstruction of the
insurgent States on basis recognizing the
right, under the Constitution, of Congress to
punish those who commit overt acts of treason
whether it be by individuals or States. After the
attrition of opposing opinions has been modi-
fed by time, and the Southern politicians re-
alize their powerless condition to gain the ad-
yantages claimed, mortifying as it may and
evidently will be to their feelings, necessity
will compel them to gracefully submit to the
force of circumstances under which they, by
their own voluntary acts, have placed them
selves. Threat ening as these facts, at times
appear, stern and uncompromising determin-
alton on the part of Congress and the loyalists
of the land, will at last incite feelings of re-
spect, and rather than remain without repre-
sentation, and being deprived of their former
prerogatives, the Southern people will abide
the decisions of Congress, and thus come into
fellowship again with those upon whom they
SO persistently sought to impose a great and
heinous outrage. All these circumstances in
dicate the speedy return to better times, con-
tinuance and permanency of the Republic
The noble heroes who fell upon every battle
field are but the pillars to the sacred holocaust
reared to the honor of Freedom-the blood
forms an indestructible cement to unite the
ties of consanguinity more firmly than ever,
and to reimbue a once deluded people with |
stronger principles of moral, social and intel
lectual christianity. 1t often occurs that the
lives of one generation of country are re-
quired upon the sacrifcial altar, in order that
the national status may be preserved, and the
blood of these sacrifices wash out the stains of
AA"SAoA"A SiihACo' ~ iSHuiOu TIC sdCTluCo OF
the hosts of Sennacharib, by the destroying
Angel to carry out design of Providence, the
up of the mighty armies of Egypt,
n order that the children of Israel might be-
,ome participants of the blessings of freedom.
No less Providential interposition is observ-
able in the present ordeal of our nation. The
blood that fell and the lives that were lost,
have been the means Of breaking down the old
and last barrier to the progress Of liberal
thought and will rise in newness of power.
with yitalizing principles, upon the
basis OF which the great American Republic
will rear an indestructible temple of Liberty,
Union and Freedom, which the thunders Of war
can never again disturb.
oud od country frst their glory and their pride