New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-01-31
RECONSTRUCTION.

that Mr.. Stevens was mistaken IN asserting
that the reference to the Joint Committee on
Reconstruction of his bill providing for the
reorganization of the ten States not now repre-
sented in Congress was equivalent to an indefi-
mite postponement of the subject. On the
contrary. we understand that the subject has
already been taken up by that Committee,
with a determination to perfect and report a
bill THAT ought 70 b passed, and TO pass it at
this session Il possible. And, though but five
weeks remain, with very much to be done,
we earnestly hope that their efforts may be
crowned with success. Better let two or three
Appropriation bills, or even the revision of our
Internal Tax system, go over to the called
session Of the XLth Congress- than fail to pass
a Reconstruction bill.
AS to the great leading features of that meas
ure, we have repeatedly offered suggestions
that have not been favorably TeceiYed and
we may fairly presume that the Committee de-
sire no more from this quarter Yet the sub
iect is of such transcendent such imminent
consequence, and the peril of misleading with
it so very grave, that we must once moro So
licit their attention. Even if it were certain
that our views would be disregarded, that
would not discharge us from the responsibility
of offering them.
The chief mistake made by Congress hith-
erto. in our Judgment, is, that it seems TO con-
template the people of the States lately in
revolt as divided politically into barely two in
stead of the actual three classes, which are as
follows: S3s
1. Those who, though possibly cOerced or
frightened into yielding some aid to the Re
bellion, were always at heart UniOnists, and
reioiced when the Confederacy was overthrOwn.
2. Those who, sincerely believing in Slavery
and State Sovereignty, went heartily and
promptly into the Secession movement, and
fought it out on that line until they were I'M
deniably beaten; but now honestly and frankly
say, 1--WE appealed to the sword, and the issue
lis decided against us: we accept the re-
"sult in good faith, with all its legitimate con-
" sequences; and will henceforth Loyalty main
" tain the Union as Of paramount authority,
"and the rights of all its people as established
"by the triumphant Emancipation policy"
8. Those who--nO matter what they may say
or swear--are at heart just as much Rebels to-
day as they ever were and, being declared
from further open, manly hostilties by defeat,
.
laying and assassinating individual Unlonists
especially Blacks, beside burning negro school
houses, and subiecting the unfortunate race to
every form of abuse and outrage. These
crimes, though seeming isolated and casual,
are really prompted by the spirit of Rebellion,
and imperatively demand the stenest and
promptest repression, in the interest alike Of
natural justice and of National integrity.
Can we be wrong in our conviction that the
action of Congress hitherto has seemed to ig
more the second of these classes and calculated
to drive its members back into the third9 If
those who were once Rebels, but are to-day as
hearty Unionsts as the best of us, are to he
treated exactly like Semmes or Pollard, how
are we to develop and diffuse a hearty Union
sentiment among those who have mt any time
been Rebels7 Does not such treatment tend TO
drive back into the Rebel fold thousands who
might and should be henceforth pillars Of
Unonism7 How shall Unionism be expected
to grow and flourish at the South, if We repel
accessiOns TO It's ranks after this fashioni
We beg all to undcrstand-since there seems
now to be no obvious temptation to miscon-
ceive-that there is no "sckly sertimentality,r
no "humanitarianism," no special tender
ness to criminals or repugnance TO penal
infections in this view of the matter, but
simply sound, hard sense. The distinction we
insist on is real, palpable, and Hnportant If
we are ever to stop the murders and Outrages
to which loyal men are still subjected
throughout portions of the South, we must
have the aid therein Of Unionists who were
formerly Rebels We can have it; it would be
culpable not to have it, Then why not take
such course as promptly to secure it
Mr. Stevens's Reconstruction bill of this SEES
sion was about the first submitted from our
side Of the House which clearly recognized that
there were thousands of good UniOnists at the
South who have been Rebels. In this respect
it marked a signal advance in the Congressional
apprehension of the subject. We think the posi-
tons therein. affirmed might be more happily
developed and more accurately applied but the
right principle is clearly recognized in his bill !;
ond--whateyer else the Joint Committee on Re
construction may dove trust-nay, we entreat
that this principle be embodied in their forth
coming measure
AS to those school-district oracles who still
talk as though military execution might be
wisely decreed and extensively enforced against
three or four millions Of people, argument would
be wasted OH them. Silence refutes them with
adequate cogency and respect. But to those
who can distinguish what is practicable from
what is markedly impossible and who would not
have an empire lie waste, amid general poverty,
insecurity, and suffering, while they prosecuted
fanciful illusory projects of vengeance, sug-
geston5 may be made with some hope of re-
sulting advantage To such, certainly, we need
hardly urge the wisdom of embodying in the
forthcoming measure of Reconstruction all the
kindly, reconcilng provisions that are intended