The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-08-19

ldNbIhDlb w lbb DtTD5bullys auO 10 TeSLOr6 10
the States themselves the benefits Of civil gov
ernment in manner adapted to the altered
relation of the races. In seven States this
object has been attained. They have new
governments and new constitutions, both
resting on a basis OF universal suffrage. For
the first time in their history they have oon
stitutions and governments really republican
in form and spirit. They again. participate,
moreover, in the management OF national
ailairs. Their Senators aud Representatives
have been admitted to Congress. Their
Legislatures have assembled without exposing
themselves TO the charge OF invading the
rights or imperlling the interests OF any pOr-
tou Of the people. The proceedings of these
bodies may in some instances have furnished
the captions with food for ridicule, aud in
others may, from our stand point, seem iDju-
dicious. But there has been no actual wrong
in any case; and the errors of judgment to
which we allude have called forth vetoes aud
remonstrance from the Executives Of three
States.
On the whole, therefore, we contend that
reconstruction, TO the extent Of its operation,
has been the reverse of failure; IL has been
a success more or less complete, according TO
the character of local circumstances. All that
was expected OF II has been realized. Similar
success in the three States still excluded will
complete the restoration of the Union in har-
mony with the will of Congress. This fact
alone is a sufficient answer to the partisan cry
about failure.
There is one aspect, however, in which re-
construction has been less perfect than we
yet hope to see il. Its final and permanent
triumph requires the abatement of white hos
tility and the organization of local parties,
with view to a peaceful change on another
foundation than that of color. Georgia and
North Carolina have advanced further on this
road than their neighbors. In both the whites
have entered more seDsbly into political effort
under the laws, with an effect which in
Georgia is particularly noticeable. Selt-inte-
rest dictates a similar course everywhere,
and its general adoption would soon give US
the full benefits of restoration which must
otherwise remain in some degree nominal.
Something depends upon the way in which
the new Governments employ their powers;
something-perhaps more-upon the result
Of the pending political contest. The latter
| will either render the Rebel element more de-
monstTative, or will crush il by destroying its
last chance of help from the North.
| 1t is in this view that the present contest
| possesses its greatest significance. The cleo
| tion of Seymour and Blair cannot undo re-
construction except through the revolution OF
which that event might be the beginning.
| Universal suffrage will remain the ground
work of political action. The new govern
ments will go on with all the legal and con-
stitutional efficacy derived from Congressional
recognition. OHly usurpation by a Demo
cratic President, or insurrection by his South
ern supporters, can impede the measures OF
the local authorities, Low organized; and
| either contingency brings us face to face with
civil war. An apprehension OF that peril leads
conservatives like Chief Justice Pearson OF
! North Carolina to urge the acceptance of the
situation just as it is, and the support of
| Grant and Colfax as the best means of quiet
| ing the elements that would violently over
throw the work of reconstruction.
The activity of these disturbing forces con-
| sttutes the sole excuse for the Rebel allega-
tion as TO the failure of reconstruction. But
the fact establishes nothing OF the sort. 1t
| indicates a more dangerous hostility than the
South, if wise, would think OF encouraging.
And it also proves the necessity of such a
| support of the new Governments by the Fede-
raj power as shall teach the hopelessness of
any violent effort to embarrass or overturn
them. This is all that can be properly said
| about it. To pretend that the Governments
are a failure because they may possibly need
military aid to put down lawless and disloyal
organizations and movements, would not be
less absurd than to assign secession as evil
dence of the failure of the Union. The fual
| result forms the only conclusive test. And
as the Union demonstrated its vitality and
success by conquering the Rebellion, 80 must
| the Government of the Union demonstrate its
purpose and its power to perpetuate the con-
ditions of its integrity by promptly succoring
the opponents of loyal authority in the South
ern States. The present opposition to recon-
| struction proceeds from old opponents of the
Union. They are trying to avert the penalties
| OF Rebellion in spirit which deprives them
of all title to sympathy. And if the local Gov
ernments be confronted by this class, armed
and organized, and be for the time unable to
cope with them, the duty Of the general Gov
| ernment is to afford whatever assistance may
be sought. Mr.. Johnson may have abandoned
his ideas as to making treason odious, but he
| is nevertheless bound to take care that they
whom he would once have hanged shall not
profit too greatly by foIbearancs which they
seem unable to appreciate.
If the possible necessity for Federal inter
| ference is to be cited as an illustration of the
costliness of the Congressional plan We reply
that as between the authority of the Union
| and the caprice of Rebels, the question of cost
has no proper place. The Rebellion was sup
| pressed regardless of cost, and the reconstruc-
| tion of the Union will be completed, whether
| 1t entail larger or smaller expenditure. The
country will not forget, lao oWever, who are the
real authors of its financial burdens. The
Democratic party which was responsible for
the Rebellion, is now responsible for resistance
| to reconstruction, and for the outlay which
| resistance may entail. So far as the South Is
| concerned, the Democracy is carrying on the
contest with the avOwed intention, il victorious,
of reopening the whole subject, and precipi,
tating the industry and government OF ten
| States back into chaos. The defeat of Ssy-
mOur will not only extinguish the last RAbel
hope, but will remove the most formidable
obstacles to the smooth, unaided working OF
reconstruction.