The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1868-12-15

attention 10 tho state II the UBi0u and
70 is continued dis3rgauacd condition
under the various laws which have
besa passed upoa The subject Of recon-
stuctiun.
RECONSTRUCTION.
II may safely b. assumed AZ an AK
iom in the government 81 the States,
that the greatest oulrages inflicted up
on a people are caused Is unjust aud
arbitrary legislation, or by the unre-
lenting decreos Of despotio rulers, and
that the timely revocation 81 injurious
and oppressive measures, is the great
est good that can be conferred upon a
nation. The legislator or ruler who
has Tie wisdom and maguanimity TO re-
trace bis steps wheu convinced q er-
ror, vii sooner or later be rewarded
with tha respect and gratitude ofan ia
teihgeui and patriotic people. Our
own history, although embracing a pc
r.od Of less than a century, affords the
abundant proof that most, if dot al, Of
our domestic troubles are directly trace
able TO violations Of the organic law
and excessive Legislation The most
striking Illustrations Of this fact are fur
nished by the enactments Of the past
three years, upon the question Of re-
construction; after fair trial they have
substantially failed, and proved pernic-
ious in their results, and There seems
no good reason why they should long
er remain upon the statute books. The
States to which the Constitution guar
antees Republican form Of Govern
ment, have been reduced to military
dependencies, in each Of which the peo-
pie have been subject to the arbitrary
viii Of the commanding General. Al
though the Constitution requires that
each State shall be represented in Con-
gress, Virginia, Mississippi and Texas
are yet excluded from the two Houses,
and contrary to the express provisions
Of that instrument were denied partic-
ipation in the recent election for a
President and Vice President Of the
United States The attempt TO place
the white population under the domin-
ion Of persons Of color in the South,
has impaired, ifnot destroyed the kind
ly relations that had previously existed
between them, and mutual distrust has
engendered feeling Of animosity,
which, leading in some instances to col
hsion and bloodshed, has prevented
that cooperation between the two rae
es 50 essential to the success Of the in
dustrial enterprise in the Southern
States. Nor have the inhabitants Of
these States alone suffered from the
disturbed condition Of affairs, growing
out OF these congressional enactments.
The entire Union has been agitated by
grave apprehensions OF tronble, which
might again involve the peace Of the
nation. lis interests have been inglo-
rIously affected by the arrangement Of
business and labor and the consequent
want Of prosperity throughout that por-
ton Of tue country. The Federal Con-
stitution, the magma charta Of Ameri-
can rights, under whose wise and salu-
tary provisions we have successfully
conducted al our domestic and foreign
affairs, sustained ourselves in peace
and war, and become great nation
among the powers Of the earth. must
assuredly be now adequate to the set
uement OF questions growing out Of the
civil war waged alone for its yindica-
tion. This great fact is made most
manifest by the condition of The coun-
Try. When Congress assembled in the
month Of December, 1866, civil strife
had ceased. The spirit Of rebellion had
spent its entire force in the Southern
States; the people had warmed into
national life and throughout the whole
country healthy reaction in public
sentiment had taken place. BY the ap-
ptcation Of the simple vet effective pro-
visions Of the Constitution, the execu-
tive department, with the voluntary aid
OF the States, had brought tHo work Of
restoration as near completion as was
within the scope Of its authority. and
tho nation was encouraged by the pros
pect Of an early and satisfactory adjust
meni of All its difficulties. Congress
however, iatervened, ard refusing to
perfect the work 50 nearly consummat-
ed declined 10 admit members from
uurepresenied States, and adopted
series Of measures which arrested the
progress Of restoration, frustrated ar
that had been successfully accomplish
ed, and after three years q agitation
and strife, has let the country further
iTom The attainment Of union aud fra
ternal feeling than At the inception oi
the Congressional plan o. rec1astrue.
hon. Il needs no argument to show
that tho le,fslatinn mL..-h L. NIL.