New-York tribune., 1868-05-12
THE TRIUMPH OF RECoNSTR UCTIOMi


The States of Alabama, Georgia, North and
South Carolina, Louisiana, Florida and Arkan-
sas-seven in all-haye now passed upon the
Constitutions framed by their several Conven-
tions, and each of them has given majority
for Ratification. In Alabama alone-by reason
of the absurd provision of law (now re-
pealed) which required majority, not merely
of those who voted but of all who were regis
tered as voters, to ratify-the enemies of the
Reconstruction policy of Congress claim
triumph Though they did not poll TWEEN
tieth part of the votes, they are enabled to
count against us not only all who
neglected, with all who refused to vote, but
also all who were coerced into abstaining by
threats that they should be stripped of employ
ment and turned out to starve if they dared to
vote for Ratification. Nay every registered
voter who had died since registering, with every
one who was sick, or bed-ridden, or crazy, or
who had removed from the State, was counted
against the Constitution. We have not even
the poor satisfaction of charging this injustice
to the enemies of the Reconstruction acts and
policy; il was the work Of Republicans of a
very peculiar stripe-of the stripe that united
with the Copperheads last week in oppos-
ing the readmisson of Free Arkansas. We
fervently trust that we are near the end of
their strategy, or at least of their power. We
hope to see Alabama promptly admitted-on
her late vote, if that may be; if not give her
another and a fairer chance to place herself
beside her sister States on either hand who
have restored themselves to their proper posi-
tiOn in the Union.
And now we ask Congress to meet the re-
turning prOdigals in generous, trustful, con-
cilatory spirit. Each returning State sends
up list of citizens whose political disabilities
it desires to have removed. Instead Of passing
special bills, we entreat the Republican major
ity to frame and enact one general, comprehen-
sire measure uhich shall fully restore 10 citizen
ship and all lis rights erery person nOp distrdn-
chised ,Cho has supported The policy of Congress,
or ,Oho ,OiH take an oath. on or before the 4h day
| Of July merit, that lie ioiH henceforfh affirm and
.rhoId tho civil aud political equality ofdU eih-
,SenS, uhether made such by birth or by naturGli-
sati0n.
We do not care to argue the justice or
the policy of such an overture Of pacifcation.
We presume nne-tenths of all those now
dsfranchised would close with this profer.
Possibly some few would prove false to their
oaths; but the great mass would be loyal and
faithful And the settlement thus effected
would never be subverted nor overthrown.
Peace Peace We are now strong and
triumphant, and can dictate terms Of reconcile
alton and settlement that viii afford ample
security for the future. Republicans in Con-
gress now is the time TO evince the wisdom
of trustful maghanimity. If they should be
rejected we shall be greatly strengthened and
our implacable adversaries weakened by the
naked fact that we have offered them in vain.
Let lis have a restoration Of amity il possible;
at all events, let us demonstrate to all the
world that, if alienation and bitterness shall
continue, the fault is not ours.