The Fremont weekly journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1867-1877, 1867-02-15
suffrage ana Amnestr.

| SWAIE0 Ke AUG n uhsCbtys
| The Chicago Tribune Of the 1lth
has clear and practical leader with the
above caption which so exactly meets
our views that we republish it:
On Friday last the latest of Mr..
Stevens unwise and impracticable
schemes of government for the rebel
States was defeated by an overwhelming
majority in the House. 1t is but just to
say that, of those who voted for the
measure, large number did so upon
the assumption that it was to be follow
ed by other legislation hariRg some
practical and decent purpose. The
speech of Mr.. Banks WAS we'll timed,
and bis rebuke of Stevens was well
deserved, and the action .of the House
was, we hope, an evidence that that
body is willing and determined to take
prompt action upon any definite and we'll
matured scheme for the immediate and,
thorough reconstruction Of the rebel
States upon the basis of an extension Of
the suffrage to the freedmen. aaE
The country has seen the propositions
made by Mr.. Dixon, in behalf of the
Johnson party, for an amendment to the
Constitution, and it is again given out
that within few days The President is
to make to Congress the distinct pro-
positions of adjusting all difficulties up
on the basis Of universal suffrage and
general amnesty. The people of the
North demand for their protection, and
in the name Of justice, that in any po-
litical reorganization cf'the rebel States,
the suffrage shall be universal. With
that substantial ehd-4attsined, and at
tanned through the voluntary action of
those seeking the amnesty, that amnes-
ty would not be long withheld. But
while men should be jnst before being
generous, those seeking the clemeney
and the forgiveness Of others should
give some evidence of their being Just
to those under their feet. The rebels
have, by their treason, foffeited all rights
save those that may b. conceded to
them by their conquerofs. They seek
restoration Of those rights; they ask
for remission of all the pains and PEN
alties due to their crimes; they ask to
be made equal before the law with the
citizens of the Union. But these re-
quests cannot he listened to while they
insist that one-half the population of
their States shall be deprived of the
civil and political rights which they ask
for themselves. Let the suppliants for
national mercy be just TO their own peo-
pie, who have not been stained with |
crime, and then the American people,
always alive to generous and kindly i'm
pulses will, in due time, grant that am
nesty which they now refuse. In par
doning treason and rebellion, they have
no purpose of making those crimes re-
spectacle nor will they make any bar
gain which shall contain the admission |
that suffrage is favor TO be granted by !
the South, in exchange for amnesty
Suffrage is right. II itbe not right, !
it is time 1t were made SO. Amnesty
is a'favor That is the difference be-
tween the two things. Yet there can
be no doubt that the favor would follow
very closely in the wake of the right,
il the latter were conceded.
Let Congress during the Bext week
muture plan for the reorganizationof
the Rebel States, making universal suf-
frage the basis of all Government, pres
ent and future, temporary and. permau:
ent Let Legislatures of every North
ern State submit to the people thereof
the proposition to abolish q discrimina-'
ton which never had any just excuse.
Then, whenever the rebels shalfyield to
this united demand, and determined en-
forcemeut Of justice to the loyal freemen
of the South, then, and not until then
viii general amnesty meet with favor
An amnesty, however, when granted,
freely and without price; itneyer should
and we hope never will be made part of
any bargain and sale, whether by those
granting it or those to whom it is gran
ted. t.F ,arfZ