The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1868-09-16
A ChivalrOus Censor.
From Me N. Y. Times.

FROM me ~, =. Times
The Charleston Mercury shares the demorali-
cation which just now seems chronic among
democratic journals. 1t misrepresents the
Tunes, thus:--
The New York Times. OF the 9Th instant
comes out as Tevolutiunist It's argument is
very yslmple-as simple as that of Nicholas l.
Emperor of the Russias or like The laws of the
MSues ana Perslaus that altereth not. There
lore, pe 1t known TO all ye vassals OF the lGm
pre- That The Reconstruction acts are and "A ter
not; that all acts of subsequent Commensurate
uSclees OF Supreme Courts-all opposition and
an ueclarat hons or acts to set aside the same
are civil war;, Now we have only a little 10
say Here are men deliberately threatening
war against the Government of the United
States and the Constitution of the United
states. war In the open face of law The Times
mas mas mtown mp all pretension to legality or
slucuon acts. II boldly admits their utter
uncqnstituttonaltY. And on the back of these
carry out their lawless designs"
1t Is not necessary for us to say that the
Nacury grossly and deliberately misstates our
position. Neither on the 8th inst, nor at
amy other time, have we said anything which
implies the unchangeableness of the Recon-
strucuon acts, or the unwillingness of the
Republican party to abide by the legal results
OF the plan it inaugurated.
This, however, we have said-that the only
method OF etectlng change which the loyal
sentiment of the country will allow, is that
which Federal or local law prescrbes. In
seven OF the Southern States the Reconstruc-
tion acts have been superseded by the system
they were intended to establish. The new
constitutions and the National Constitution,
as amended by the fourteenth addition define
the methods and conditions OF change; and
these, even subsequent Congresses must re-
spect. The repeal Of the Reconstruction acts
tomorrow would effect nothing, save in the
three States which are still governed by them.
In the other States, local Constitutions are in
full force, and local governments are at work
under them. These are accomplished facts,
whlch the Democratic party cannot disregard
without plunging into insu erection.
10 hken respect for law to the affirmation OF
It's undergraduates, and to pretend that the
maintenance OF authority as now existing as
against Democratic threats is despotic and
Revolutionary is to blend fasehood with folly.
The only party to which 'lawless designs'
may with the slightest truth be imputed. is
the Democratic party, which proposes to set
aside seven Constitutions, without consulting
the majority who framed and enacted them,
and to upset seven governments formed under
the law, and now in peaceful operation. II the
party could accomplish its ends without vio-
latlng organic law, national or local, we should
have nothing to say except as to the injustice
or lneXpedlency of its action. But it centem-
plates no such limitation. 1t threatens to en-
iorce dlsfranchisement in spite of law, and to
re- establlsh white mems governments" in
defiance OF constitutional hindrances Execu-
tive usurpatiOn, and the exercise of force by
the disloyal organizations which abound
throughout the South, are the means relied
upon by the Democratic leaders; and the use
OF these means would constitute revolution.