Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1865-1872, 1868-06-12
RESTORING the Union

passage OF the bill for restoring the late
rebel, but now loyal State Of Arkansas
TO her anie.war relations 10 the Union, e
be followed in few days by like well
come 20 the reconstructed States Of Louis.
lana, Georgia, Florida. and North and
South Carolina. The work of bringing
back these States has been tedious, and
complicated with difficulties, not the least
OF which was the strenuous opposition Of
fered to oil the measures adopted by Con-
gress TO that end, by the President. Two
years ago the then governing class, ths
men who made the rebellion. and without
any Justihable cause waged war on the
National Government, were generously
offered the l4th constitutional amend
ment as the basis, and only conditi on of
the restoration TO themselves OF the con-
troll Of the States which they had attempt
ed to withdraw from the Union; but easy
and magnanimous as were the terms, they
scornfully spurned them, being melted
thereto By Andrew johnson, who demand
ed that the Government Of their respect
i've States and the dearest interests Of the
newly enfanchised freedmen should b.
committed to their hands, without any
Limitations, conditions, or restrictions
whatever. Acting under the belief tina
Congress would acquiesce in this mon
strous demand, the scarcely disarmed reb
els, through Legislatures composed oil
their representatives, prepared aud pub
lishcd codes OF so.cailed laws ia each o
the late insurrectionary States. which un
misiakabiy -~rsyealed their intention /,
make the condition a hs<freedmen,-.
comprising Ne they did majority Ia a.
least threesoi tie STATES. and nearly equal
ing the whites in the rest---as little dif
icrept from their former state of absolut,
slavery as literal observance Of the eman
cipation amendment OF the Constitution
aud the helpIcssness Of the freedmen
would admit Of.
These proofs of the determination 0
the ex-rebels TO evade the constitutions
prohibition against slavery, as well as
their marked repugnance to the Govern.
ment of the United States, convince,
Congress that another and broader basi,
of reconstruction must be devised There
was bat one other practical plan, and thai
was 10 admit all citizens 10 participation
in the local government Of The lately re
bellious States. True. nearly or quite
half OF them were negroes, or Of mixed
negro and white lineage, but they had
given the highest possible proof Of De
vOiion to the Union, and were bound to
the National Government by the stronges
ties Of interest and gratitude. Their
votes could be depended upon TO keep
their States loyal aud ebedient to nationa
authority and to prevent forever a second
attempt TO separate the South FROM the
residue Of the Union.
This project was just, because II rseeg
nized the true democratic rule that GOV.
ernments are instituted among men for
the protection, safety aud happiness Of the
governed, and that no government can be
truly republican that denies TO large
class Of its citizens any voice in making
aud administering the laws. Justice and
expediency alike were consulted ia the
amended plan Of reconstruction adopted
by Congress, but it was vehemently op
posed by powerful party in the North
because the latter foresaw that il could not
depend on an undivided political support
from the South if this plan should be sue
cessfuly carried into execution. and By
the great body Of the white population OF
the South, FOR the reason that it would
deiract from their personal consequence
IN political affairs, aud because no people
who have long enjoyed exclusive privileges
ever yet willingly relinquished them.
Bnt thanks TO the frmness Of Congress
and Of the people, reconstruction on the
basis Of justice and liberty in on the eve
of successful accomplishment Notwith-
standing the storm Of opposition it has
encountered it has won friends even from
the ranks of those who were foremost in
the rebellion. and thousands Of Southern
white men who originally denounced il
are now its firm adherents. In every
State where the question has been fairly
submitted 10 the whole people, Congress
has been sustained by decided minority
and in those States where the population
predominaies the msjorities have generally
been the largest.
1t is a cause for profound ,hankfulncss
that the great work ofreerenting the State
governments that were destroyed by the
rebellion is so nearly accomplished, and
that il is done in a manner that will secure
to all the people Of the lately revolted
Common wealths equal civil aud political
rights.
IL was the chief glory Of the Republican
party that under its administration of the
Government a great and formidable rebe J.
lion was overthrow, aud the nation was
preserved from disruption; but to this will
now be added the equal glory of reorgan-
izing the revoted States on such basis
that no citizen can be deprived of the
rights that apperpin to the citizen, no
man can be another mans slave, nor one
class Of the people become the oppressor
az any other class.
With the advent OF loyal Senators and
Representatives in Congress from the late
rebel States, the Union is restored, the
war is ended, and nothing remains of II
but the sad memories Of tho blood and
treasure wasted by it, the FIRST of which,
i A. IL 4. 4