The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-04-04
Che Uributlf..
RECoNsTRICrI0N.

Ihe COuthern states, SO long bOastful
and defiant, are beginning to see the fol-
ly of their course and the necessity of do
ing what they might have done long ago,
accept the situation and take their places
in the halls of government. 1t seems
strange that in all those southern states
there have been so few to advise the on
" course which could in, any measure re-
store the much coveted power. 1t can
only be accounted for on the ground that
their faith in Andrew johnson and the
northern democracy led them to suppose
they would in time get better terms by
presisting in their rebellion. In the for
mer they found one as reasonable as
their hearts could desire but lacking the
great essential element of success-pow-
er: he could do nothing to thwart the will
of the mighty millions of loyal northern
people. The latter. e. the northern
democraey-they found to be Of no ac-
count whatever Famous New York po-
liticians could talk Of their legions which
stood ready to march at their call. but
they never called or else the legions grew
smaller and beautifully less at the sound
of their voice, for a northern democrat
with arms in his hands would be tit
subject for the consideration of that
great gatherer of curiosities, 7. L. Bar
mum. The south might, and evidently
did, look to their northern allies and sym
pathizers for aid, but it was all in vain.
Not blow was struck, though the
amount of blowing done was really prodi-
gious. The southern people begin to
see all this and the wisest Of them are
now urging that the congressional plans
be no longer opposed. They are finally
awake to the fact that they have been
whipped in war of their own getting up
and as a natural result must take the
Gov. Brown of Georgia
has advised the people of the South to
acquiesce in the measures adopted, be
cause they could not help themselves;
because in short they had been whipped
and must acquiesce. Gen. Lee takes
substantially the same view of the case,
and Gen., Longstreet lays peculiar stress
upon the leading fact of subjugation.
He says that the striking feature, and the
one that our people should keep IN view
is that zee are q conquered people. Recog-
nizing this fact fairly and squarely, there
is but one course left for ,cise men to pur
sue, and that is to accept of the terms
that are now offered Us By the conquer
ors.' Furthermore, he affirms that it is
the duty of the South to aquiesce in them.
Let us. he says, accept these terms,
as we are IN duty bouni to do, and #
there is lack of good faith, let it be upon
others. There can be no discredit to
conquered people for accepting the condl-
tions offered by their conquerors nor Is
there any occasion for feeling of huna,7-
iutiom
% tOO, l. 81 w iieli toii, VI -Aiooi"'iPf't'
a violent original secessionist, in the
course of letter advising obedience to
the law, says that having referred the
controversy to the arbitrament of arms,
I accepted, in good faith. the award from
which there was no appeal.
But there is still another view of this
matter of Reconstruction. We would
like to see IA due regard shown to the
wishes of the late rebels, but at the same
time it is the most egregiols folly think
of taking those who have done US 50
much harm back to our confidence with
out some security for the future. We
wish to know that the law in regard to
treason is ,ot dead letter. When we
hare one deot! traitor, then will we know
that We have a Ice law; till then all is
doubt. The nation. has law that treason
is punishable with death, yet-although
we have the chief traitor of all-there Is
no one found to execute the law by exc
cutting the one who has knowingly, will
fully violated it. If JEFF. Davis is allow
ed to GO unpunished, Reconstruction Is
incomplete, although the southern peo-
pie should humble themselves In the dust.