American citizen. [volume] (Butler, Butler County, Pa.) 1863-1872, 1867-07-17

reconquered it. and so soon as we could
feel certain of its loyalty, restored it to
its place in Congress Have we dis
membered the Union because we preven-
ted tho State authorities of Maryland,
Kentucky and Missouri from consumma,
ting measures of secession and rebellion,
and succeeded in keeping them regular
ly on with us? Have we disnembered
the Union because we reorganized loyal
governments in Arkansas, Louisiana and
Virginia in the midst Of the war, and
have held the people of those States to
those governments on the return OF peaceI
Have we dismembered the Union be-
cause we demand that the recovered
States shall not get into Congress 9n>
tirely controlled by rebels t? Have We
dismembered the Union because We are
not prepared to abandon the freedmen
aud the southern loyalsts to the rebels
under such circumstances We should
be glad to have an answer to these ques.
tions, and if the Democratic party is
ready to go before the public on such
issues, we certainly shall not shrink from
the contest.
We may say here that we are rather
pleased to find the struggle in this State
restored to its proper national Importance
and not restricted to local issues We
call the attention of our readers to the
fact that this Democratic platform virtu-
ally appeals to the rationol record of the
two parties, and thus brings up the
whole history of the civil war, its ante
cedents, It's events, and its consequences,
Now that the issue has been made, the
Republicans will be found unanimously
prepared for it. OF all others this is
tae very one we could most have desir-
cd, aud assuredly if we cannot maintain
ourselves on ground so strong We deserve
to fail.
Did VIC subvert republican govern
ment by abolshing slavery, forever pros
hibiting it, and making the slaves men
aud citizens instead of chattels Did
we subvert republican government by
securing civil rights to the freedmen, 80
that they might become f,eemen, in fact
as well as in name, that they might have
equality before the law, immunity from
outrage; injustice and partial legislation
intended to oppress and degrade them ?
Did we snbvert republican government
by securing to the majority of the peo>
pie Of the conquered States the right of
suffrage and the right OF sell>goveIn-
ment? Did we subvert republican gov>
ernment by r,tIsing t. acknowlede the
validity OF organizations established by
the President, by no authority in him
vested, upon the ruins of State govern
ments, which he himself overthrow, and
controlled by the same evil elements that
had distracted the country and produced
the rebellion Did We spbvert repubh-
can government by opening the public
laads at the south 20 entry, by freedmen
and poor whites, under the Homestead
bill? These are pertinent questions
needing an answer. Let them be used
everywhere in this canvass, to put to the
test the men who have gone into the
struggle on such platform as that fram-
ed by the Democratic Convention
This platform charges the Repubfsan
Congress also with a long series of usur-
pations, and upon about the same basis
that it made the other charges against us.
AS to these "usurpations," we would re-
mark that Congress has no possible
chance of. welding exhcutiye power, ,and
consequently no opportunity of usurpa-
tion, because all its acts are liable to re,
view by the Supreme Court or nonen-
forcement by the administrative depart
ments. Unless, therefore, Congress acts
within the line of its legitimate authors
ty, it has no means of enforcing its man.
dates, and they remain null and void.
Curiousiy enough, the offences specified
in this indictment as constituting the
usurpations Of Congress are all acts with
in the strict line of its regular constitu-
tional action. The denial of repre>
to the rebel States was the act
of those States themselves, They form
ally withdrew, passed acts of secession
aud remained unrepresented for four
years. The war decided that they should
not be allowed to secede, and as the
States were to be represented it remain,
ID for Congress, the only legislative pow
,r of the republic. to decide how and
n what manner the representation should
be obtained. This power arises from the
facts, first, that the State governments
had committed suicide by the act of re,
bellion, and second that President John.
son had substituted irregular and unlaw
full usurpations of his own Congress
has fixed the terms Misrepresentation, and
consequently the assertion in reference
to denial is fraud.
As to treating these conquered States
as subjugated provinces, were they not |
such ? Did they come back voluntarily, |
Or were they dragged back No man in
his senses can believe that they were
lught else than subjugatod provinces
Their estate rights" had perished in the
war. They have as yet no lawful gov
and unless we would resign |
Them to anarchy we must govern them
BY military force until they shall be re-
according to law. Congress
lid not make this state of things. 1t
resulted from the war. Nor do the south
ern people regard the military govern,
nent as oppressive On the contrary, |
hey know that it gives them the bless
Jugs of order, common justice, and pro.
lection from outrage. The military au-
.hority rested there becanse of tbe ra /