Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1867-12-11
Gaattbmau y State Journal.
YE. p. WALTON
MONTPELIER. DECEMBER II. 1867.


solemn, orthodox but when we come TO the ap-
plcation, it q plain that the purpose Of it is mis-
chievous almost Satanic It's tendency is not to
restore concord, but dscord; not to encourage
LOYALTY and peace at the South, but rather discon
tent and rebellion; not to conserve the honor or
the prosperity Of the country. but to impair both.
Mark how sweepngly Congressman are arraiened
as ruthless and tyrsnncal vioaors Of the Constitu-
ton men who represent the most conscientious,
Just and patriotic people Of the country, and men
who themselves like the President are sworn to
fidelity to their trust and are quite as intelligent
and honest as their accuser. Let US test the ac-
cuser by his own argument He is under sol
emn oath to preserve, protect and defend that
Constitution, which requires him to execute all
the laws. Under provision of that very Consti-
tuition three-fourths Of the white men Of the South,
in whose behalf he pleads, are guilty Of treason,
and by law worthy Of death. lie has not "exe-
cuted the laws" against them. BY his own reason
ing then, he is amanifest violator of the Consti-
tuition and a perjured man We say "by his own
reasoning" meaning precisely the same reasoning
he applies to Congress. But it is erroneous rea-
sonng. The case is an extraordinary one to
which the Constitution itself must yield The
consciences and the hearts OF our own people and
of the civilized world revolt at the execution Of
the Constitution and the laws on million Of reb-
els. Nobody blames the President that he has
not done IL nobody accuses him Of violating the
Constitution on that account. Now turn to Con
gress it has the same extraordinary case with the
same rebels. Is the constitutonally perured
President the man to hold Congress to strict ODE
dienco and yet claim absolution for HIMSELF Far
better for him to recognize the fact that an cxgen
cy had arisen which the trainers Of the Constitution
never contemplated, andto plead that great fact
at the bar OF the Constitution for pardon to Con-
gress and himself. Indeed the President has him
self had a hand in reconstruction, without part-
Gle of constitutional right by his own argument
and his real gref is, not that the Constitution has
been violated, but that Congress has not submit
ted 10 his opinions the reconstruction question
Thus far we have put Congress and the Presi-
dent on an equal footing in this natter but the
President is not on equal footing with Congress.
We do not mean merely that two-thirds vote of
Congress is consiitutioually law in spite of the
President, until declared otherwise by the Supreme
Court. Chat has not been done yeD but also that
Congress has By the Constitution itself new pow
er, that seems to have escaped the notice OF the
President. Article thirteen of the amendments,
prohibiting slavery, declares that Congress shall
have power to enforce this article by appropriate
legislation" When four millions of slaves were
made freemen by the Constitution itself, and this
clause was added we conceive that it became the
duty OF Congress to provide by legislation for the
security of that freedom. How could Congress
better do it than by giving them voice in form
ing the Constitution and government under which
they are to live This amendment TO the Consti-
tuition itself blotted out all the pro-sayery portion
of the old State Constitutions, and all proslavery
statutes 1t did more: it gave to every South
State a new political constituency, and a new
political power thereby, which is to be felt in Con-
gress hereafter and by the whole nation. Can it
be possible that it was the duty of Congress to
leave these millions of freemen to the will of their
old mastersP viii any body say, in the very face
of the Constitution, that the black man has no
rights that a white man a white government is
bound to regardp No that won't do now, the
Constitution having fixed that matter differently
and we respectfully suggest that the President
had better take his sermon to himself, and pay
some little attention to article thirteen of the
amendments.
And here comes in the cry against negro suf
frage. 1t Is easy arguing against the abstract
question of comforting the right of suffrage on ig-
norant negroes, ignorant whites, and the one j,
Just as easy as the other but it is not so easy tc
dispose of the actual problem presented to Con
which how IN soft rnixoI tpr,
black and white in nearly equal proportions, eacl
free as the other, on the road to State govern
ments that shall equally protect all in their person
al, political and civil rights
The President argues against the expediency o
subecting the whites to the blacks but his argu
ment is Just as good against subjectng the black
| to the whites. and neither touches the real ques
ton. Congress has not required either race u
be subjected to the other, but has only provide,
that the loyal men of both classes may attempt,
they choose to unite in forming Constitutions 70
their own government. Should it exclude either
If the whites, the President himself would con
denim it if the blacks then they would condemn
it, and four millions of people, distracted in an
ticipation of being thrust again into slavery woul
doubtless destroy both the whites and themselye.
if not restrained by standing armies in every Stat
and district of the South. The true way was :
give them all an equal chance at peaceful sou
ton of the question; and that is what Congress
has done. Now we believe it is fact that th
whites in every Southern State might have pre-
vented the Constitutional Conventions if they ha
chosen to do SO but they have chosen otherwise
they have voluntarily gone in with the blacks, an
whites and blacks are to-day laboring together i
the construction OF State Constitutions which wi
in due time be presented to Congress. BY an
by we shall see what their provisions are as {
suffrage, and whether these Constitutions are we
or i'll adapted to the anomalous condition of tn
Southern States The President predicts evil con
sequences, but where is the reasonable man VIII
will not rather hope that Providence which ha
broken the chains OF the slaves aud placed master
and slaves in new relations will lead them NOR
wisely than the President fears.
Were it possible that the reconstruction ques
} ton could ever 60 to the people as personal on
between Congress and the President, it would b
important to quote from the President himse
ample proofs that in the matter both of admittin
negroes to and excluding rebels from the work
reconstruction, Congress had the warrant Of Ii
Presidents and as to the exclusion OF rebels, tn,
~. l. r.