The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-11-21
THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 81, 1867


h0x,fl,ern COnstitutIOnal COhNehV"S'
Eux resun of the recent elections in the south
Ioavas no room for doubt that constitutional
C.onventions will be ordered in each of the late
Rebel States, under the provisions OF the Re-
oonstruction laws passed by Congress. This
fact imposes great responsibilities upon those
Conventions. The success or failure OF the
reconstruction policy of Congress rests mainly
with them. The constant argument of the
conservatives is that these Conventions are
composed Of bigoted, illiberal, ignorant, and
incapable men-utterly disqualified for the
work of making the organic law and frame
work of State. The only way to effectually
answer these charges is for the Conventions to
shew by their aosrkS that the indictment is
false. Notwithstanding all the olamor that
has been raised by interested politicians, who,
for party ends, would prolong the reconstruc-
zion struggle if the people see that the work
is progressing according to the rule of essential
justice they will endorse and ratify it. The
public mind longs to see this question settled
by the admission OF the seeded States to the
Union, II that can be accomplished consistently
with the safety of the country. Schemes of
Don6scatiOn and general disfranchisement
should not be INDUCED in. Public sentiment
will not sustain them, because such measures
would pave the way for new difficulties here
after. What the Judgment of the country
will sustain the Southern Conventions in doing
is about this-First, the incorporation OF fealty
to the Union as an irrepealable provision in
their State Constitutions; secondly, the Sc
curing of the absolute civil and political
equality Of all citizens by the strongest pos
sible guarantees; thirdly, the adoption Of
system of free schools; and, fourthly, the dis
franChisement of notorious and leading Rebels
for such length of time as the communities in
which they live shall see fit. Constitutions
embracing these features, no matter by whom
made, If adopted by the people Of the States
concerned, will be sanctioned by the general
voice of good citizens all over the country.
OligarChies of race, whether white or black,
will not be tolerated, and for two good reasons
first, because opposed to the genius of
our institutions; and, secondly, because
an oligarchy in control of a State is an oil
garohy welding the powers of that State in
the Government of the Union, and thus affect
ing the interests of the people of the whole
country. Ten men clothed with the corporate
functions of "State'' in South Carolina are
ten men to balance the State of Pennsylvania
in the Senate Of the United States. Hence, all
considerations of justice and humanity aside,
the very instinct Of selfpreservation must
prompt the States which now constitute the
republic to refuse admission to any new State
whose corporate powers are lodged in the
hands of an oligarchy. All questions of suf-
frage, as mere abstract right, dwindle into
Ensignifcanoe beside the practical bearings Of
State equality in the Senate. Oligarchies,
therefore, cannot be tolerated; and if the con-
stitutions about to be framed in the Southern
districts shall undertake the general disfran-
Chisement of white or black, it will be the duty
of Congress- to reject them. But If those con-
stitutions shall provide for truly republican
forms of government, basing the 'state''
upon the broad foundations of the people,
Congress will sanction them, and, once admit
ted, no power can overturn them.
The Southern Conventions, then, have an
important work before them. It is theirs to
erect new States which shall be faithful to the
republic, which shall secure the education and
elevation of the masses, which shall render
life and property secure, and which will lead
the Southern portion of our country on to .
glorious development of its splendid powers
and resources. Slavery, aristOcracy, and
caste have hitherto ruled the destinies of the
South; LET US see what liberty, equality, AND
fraternity can now do for her.
L4 A Four COrneTed Fight.
sFxxR Y.oI;t;caI a;tua attain in Nav York city has