The weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 186?-1869, 1867-03-06
The Reconstruction Act.

The New York Tribune makes the follow
ing observation on this measure:
snow as to Reconstruction: will those
who are advising the President to veto this
bill tell him what is to be gained by the
South" from such veto9 We ask prac-
tical question and desire practical answer.
If this were the beginning OF controversy,
it might be we'll to veto by way of taking an
appeal from Congress to the People. But
the appeal has been taken; it was fairly,
boldly made by the President year ago,
and the verdict is overwhelmingly against
him. 1t cannot be mistaken, nor argued
down. Tie people have decided that the
terms of Reconstruction shall be settled by
their representatives in Congress If it was
right to make the appeal, how can it be
wrong to abide the decision
The XLth Congress is already chosen-in
so far, at least that its political character is
fully decided. 1t is notorious that the next
Congress will be quite as Radical as that
which closes with this week. Evidently,
nothing is to be gained for I" the South" by
delay.
Look, now, at the fifth and sixth sections
of the bill, and note that they recognize and
legalize the existing State Governments at
the SOuth-recognize them, indeed, as pro
visional only;n but who ever contended that
they were more? We claim that this
act legalizes all that has been or may be
done by those governments, except that
which Congress may expressly overrule. Is
this nothing?
A. tor the residue of these sections, it is
almost wholly promissory or permissive in
its character-that is, it authorizes "the
South" to reconstruct herself in a certain way,
but commands nothing, compels nothing
If "the South" does not choose to accept the
proffered conditions. she declines them, and
remains as she is Why deny her a chance
to say whether she will or will not be so re-
constructed
The exclusions and disfranchisements
stipulated are, in the nature of things, tenn
porary. They are sure to be remitted when
ever we shall have fully returned to order
and peace And you cannot destroy the
natural weight and influence of able and wise
men by prescribing that they shall neither
vote nor hold Office. You are quite likely to
increase them. A law prescribing that an
ounce shall outweigh a pound would not
avail
Profoundly believing that the Presidents
approval of this bill would be great step
toward the restoration of our country to
harmony and true peace, we cannot quite
forego the hope that he will sign 1t. And VIC
will thank any one who has his car to remind
him of this anecdote:
When Mr. Douglas had canvassed Illinois
against Lincoln in 1858, and won his re-elec-
ton as U. S. Senator. he came on to Wash
ington, and, like good Democrat, called on
the head of his party. President Buchanan.
After mutual greetings had passed, the Presi
dent was first to broach the all-absorbing
topic: "Mr. Douglas, what can we do with
this distracting Kansas -Lecompton ques-
tion?" Why, Mr.. President" responded
the Little Giant, can imagine that are should
have some trouble with that matter up at the
Capitol; but I don't see how yOu should have
any. For the Constitution says, Congress
shall make all needful regulations respecting
the Territories but it says nothing about
the Presidents making any,"
Surely, when the people have decided a
matter on appeal, and have affirmed the iudg-
ment of Congress, the President may Justly
feel discharged from further responsibility" Z"
And the New York Times, which has here
tofore given good advice to the South on
this subject, has the following significant
article. 1t would be we'll if the leaders of
the rebellion would weigh well what the
Times says. These leaders have had ample
room and verge to settle this matterlo long ago,
but instead of coming forward in good faith
to doso, they have uniformly thrown obstruc-
tions in the way. They refused to carry out
the Presidents plan. They rejected with
contempt the Howard amendment, under
which, If they had accepted it, they might
have escaped negro suffrage They have thus
Pr0Coked the Congress to It's recent action :;
and we tell them now, in the most emphatic
terms, that if they do not submit promptly
and unconditionally to this action, or stand
aside and permit the loyal men of the State
peaceably and quietly to adopt the steps ne
cessary to restore the State to the Union, all
that the Times has foreshadowed, and more
will oyertake them. If the act referred to
should become law, it will be executed to
the letter. Those who may stand in the way
will suffer. The loyal people who may take
action under the act will be protected by the
Congress with the whole power of the gov
eminent, if necessary. If any among us feel
that they are degraded by the terms which