The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-10-01

state even the new Consultation, framed rAnder
the policy OF Mr.. johnson himself, was voted
down. At last, after the spirit thus 81. own, Con.
press was forced TO act, in order to Jpen the way
for the ideas that had triumph ed in the war,
for the protection of those who embraced them,
and especially for the Protection of Unlonists
and four millions of freedmen, still threatened
with black codes and other hostile legislation.
The Howsrd amendment had left suffrage to
the States, Just as the conservatives desired.
That rejected, Congress proceeded to pass the
reconstruction measures. These measures
were not unconstitutional; nor were they de-
signed as punishments. The time had passed
Constitution always favored coercion. Tue
Southern Wings believed in it until they were
beiogged by secession, Coercion was made
good on the field of battle, and with it followed
all the rights incident 10 successful war. But if
this Is not so, still the fact remained that we
were a conquered people, and 1t was worse
than folly TOR those who set out by inaugurating
unsuccessful war to dictate terms to the con-
queror. The truth is, no written constitution
can stand the test OF civil war. The Confederate
Constitution was shattered ere six months, and
by the very men who now denounce Congress
for usurpations.
But these acts were oassed-conferring uni
versal negro suffrage, and they have now been eX
ecuted. Where are the terrible evils, the horrors
OF st. Domingo, so fearially looked for? Where
the ccnhscat1on, the negro social equality, the
mixed schools, the prescription ana the negro
supremacy so loudly predicted? Southern
whites all vote, and only few ex-officlals are
excluded, probably temporarily, from holding
office. There is no negro supremacy. Every
State district, county, city, town, and village IN
the land is governed by white men, and always
Will be. IT carpet-baggers, scalawags, aud
negroes hold power, 1T is only because the
whites, under the advice of misguided leaders,
refused to vote, Or still, fell into the snare
OF white man's party. The only difference is
these new men" have given us the results of
the war" all at once; and with tue plough share of
reform they struck deep into the musty lnstitu-
tions, habits, and customs to which we have
clung while all the world was marching on
ward in the path of progress. Probably 1t is
best that 1t is so, as these results were destined
to come sooner or later. There Is no doubt
that in the end the South will advance rapidly
under the impulse given her by conforming at
once to the new order of things. In North
Carolina public credit has already greatly i'm
proved.
Again, the leaders charged that nothing would
satisfy the radicals; and that, after ALL the
States would not be admitted. Every State
adopting constitution is back in the Union;
civil government is re-establIshed; law and
order again prevail. There are no such out
breaks and iiots as those in New Orleans and
Memphis occurring prior to the adoption of
negro suffrage. These facts fully vindcate the
soundne.s of Republican principles. And they
vindicate the wisdom and good faith of Con-
gTess. Providence seems at last to smile upon
us. With q fair crop planted, and better worked
than ever before, we have good seasons, and
hope tor the return OF prosperity and plenty.
The only drawback TO all this is the spirit of
revolution spread abroad over the whole land
by the action of the New York Convention of
July last. Inat DOlY revived IN spirit, as well
as in name, the Democratic party of l860-6l.
The same old secession aud Coppcrhead leaders
were there, supported by class of Wing
politicians from the South, Who after the war
broke out and the sece ssionists became odious,
managed to ride into power, but who ale now
under the ban, and therefore discontented.
These desperate leaders, taking advantage of
the temporary prejudices raised by the recon
structiOn measures, and especially negro suf-
frage, have not scrupied to throw down again
the gauntlet of war. In their platform they
| In oil hp natr ntInn Pc of
Congress- though passed in strict conformity
to the Constitution, unconstitutional, revolu-
tionary, and void" They nominated for
President oratio Seymour, who, as Governor
| of the great State of New York, in 1868
pandered to a Democratic mob that held the
city of New York for three days, and was only
put down by the Geleral Governmental mob
that burnt negroes, hung them to lamp-posts,
and sacked and fired orphan asylums. They
put up for Nce.Presldent General H. P. Blair,
who was nominated with a storm of applause,
solely because a few days before he had written
a letter, in which, admitting all hope of getting
rid of the reconstruction acts by peaceful means
to be gone, he boldly procla'ms that the Presi-
dent elect should, on his own responsibility, in
defiance of Congress, aud without any decision
of the Courts against them, declare these acts
null and void, compel the army to undo its
usurpa'ion in the South, dsperse the carpeJb bag
State governments, and allow the white people
to reorganiZe their own governments" No such
violent and reckless proposition was ever before
heard of in this country.
There were good men In the Convention, but
this platform and these ca ldidates conclusVely
prove that the extreme leaders carrl I'd every
thing before them. The effect is seen and felt
all over the country. At the North the pas
sions of war are fully aroused. Throughout the
South resistance is openly avowed. Officers OF
the law are dehed; authority is disregarded; +;
public dues are withheld. In some instances per-
sons accepting offices under the new constitu
tlons and sworn to support the laws made there
under denounce the whole as null and void,
and OF no binding force whatever In others,
parties are prevented from supporting the au-
thorities or accepting office by threats Of vio.
lence and by business and social ostracism.
These leaders are determined that the recon.
structon acts shall not succeed. They don't
want the Republicans to succeed in pacitying
the country. II would be dodble death to
them. They were the men really defeated in the
war.
They brought it on. They failed in their
schemes then, and they are now doubly sore.
headed, doubly desperate. They are satisfied
with nothing. They grumble at everything.
They deceive the masses just as they deceived
lution," and they term themselves "Conserva-
tive Democrats" But they are more intent on
mischief than ever. Their ouly hope is a
counter revolution. They may gain by it. Even
bad wind may blow them good. Whether the
masses wish 1t or not, put these leaders in
power and the peace of the country must be
endangered. They might be satisfied with
power. But the elements OF discord, once at
work, would never rest conflict must ensue.
| Any tri1c might bring 1t on. single gun at
! Sumter summoned a continent to arms, aud
! peaceful, prosperous, and happy millions were
! hurried TO the harvest of death.
The election of Seymour and Blair does not
mean q change of rulers. 1t means reaction
by counter revolutions? They only intensity
| passion, IL crease crime, and sharpen the thirst
for blood aud further revolution. What did
| England gain by reaction in l66O? The most
hpn n hiGO aGtII nairr