The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1867-03-22
THE UNION & J0URNAL,
The Saco Democrat on Mr.. Lynch.

luo oaCo Uemocfat on me- hJuvus
Under tho slightly ambiguous caption Of
"thc Member Of the First Congressional Dis
trict." the Saco Democrat not long since re-
ierrred to Mr.. Lynch rs follows:
Mr.. Lynch taking his cue from resolution
on Federal relations passed by the L'gisla'
turs Of this State. has discovered, after two
years in Congress, that the lats insurgent
States are not yet restored. lie Is therefore
reported as follows:
Mr.. Lynch. Of Maine, introduced joint
resolution setting forth that with the over
throw Of the Confederate armed iorce the
late insureent States were left without prop
or Stat, Governments, and the Constitutions
Of such States are under the control OF tho
leaders of the reheliion; and declaring 1t to
h, the duty OF Congress to Immediately CO
tabli.h such governments for the late rebel
States as will recognize the authority Of the
Constitution Of the United States and will
protect all CITIZENS in their rights, and to the
end that they may as speedily a. possible be
restored to their places in the Union: and
to provide further, that in passing upon the
question Of reconstruction all citizens al
lawful age shall be entitled to the exercise Of
the elective franchise.
The real objection 10 the organ 's,tions II,
We presume, that the "le,ders are not COM
posed OF such men Us Ex Gov. Hahn OF
louisiana, Ex.Gov. Hamilton, and Col.
Stokes Of Texas, and other ex.secossionists,
now rsbid Southern Radicals, and their
negro associates. al ready to disorxsnise
their States, and subject them to military
oppression. :.
But Congress, not only refuses to recognize
the policy Of the President, but during the
thirty ninth Congress, have failed to devise
any plan Of reconstruction upon which even
the Radicals Themselves could agree. Hence
us have. no. Union, and ruin and despotism
thr~tsns us. Mr.. ISnch's resolution was
r-terrrd Tn the Committe on reconstruction
where IN INV Others Of like character are per.
United to r,st.
We take leave to point out two or three
inaccuracies-to speak mildly-iu this little
article.
I. Congress has devised q plan Of reconstruc-
ton which commanded the full Republican
vote. :,
2. Mr.. Lynch's resolution WAS not "permii-
tel to rest" in the committee room, hut 10 real
" the basis Of the plan which has been adopt-
Cd. - ID
3. Mr.. Lynch did not take his cue from .
resolution emsnsting from the State Leglsla'
ture, because his resolution WAS offered In CON-
vress, telegraphed to Maine AMI actually print.
Cd In the Pres before the Legislature met !!
Even the Ssco Democrat ought to DO able To
understand that resolution offered at the be-
ginning Of the present session Of Congress
could not have been suggested by resolves In
troduced In the State Legislature three months
Afterwards. Cd. ....t..f ..
Il happens to be personally known to rs.
that Mr.. Lynch drew up this resolution. in
substantially the same terms, year ago latt
December. At that time very lew men in
Congress or in the country were satisfied that
90 radical course would need to he adopted.
Even at the beginning Of the present session,
when the resolution was offered, q majority
Of the House was unpreparcd for II, md II
was sent to tho Reconstruction Committee,
Is everybody understood, 20 avoid a direct
vote. We do not nndervalue.the pr d'nce
which Congress has shown in treating mat.
ter OF such transcendant Importance; but
II is right and necessary to acknowledge that
Mr.. Lynch has iorescen more clearly than
the majority tho inevitable tendency OF
events, and occupied moro than year ago
the ground to which his party has slowly
and cautiously advanced.