National Republican., 1877-07-17
FOR 4 REIISiGN OF THE
90 NSyLTI,I,ION

While IL Is true that under the recon-
struction acts the several seeding States, by
their Legislatures, ratified the amendment
abolishing slavery. and in their local consti-
tutions affirmed the supremacy of the Fed
cral power as conditions precedent to their
restoration to their former positions in the
tnion-from which they were dcposed not
by reason of their own acts as n direct cause,
but by the Government as q penalty for
those acts-it is still nevertheless true that
the Legislatures so acting We're composed of
clements which, in the majority of in
stances, did not represent the real senti-
ments Of the people Of the States whose SOW
ereignty was thus welded, and there is
consequently, good ground for complaint on
the part of persons so disposed in the States
30 represented that the ratification, even If
relieved from the objection Of being compul-
sorry, is still invalid. rs not rejecting the
popular will or exerting the public judg-
ment.
In respect of this amendment, therefore,
and of the various recognitions Of Federal
supremacy, there always will he great
dis. abstraction and dissent on the part of
many in the Southern States, and there will
I've no more harmony touching the principle
affirmed by them than there was formerly
in regard TO the same questions when de-
hated in the assemblies of the people. Not
that the people OF those States do not ac-
quiescc in the doctrines asserted, but that
they are disposed 10 repudiate declarations
made without their assent, without regard
To the merit Of the issues determined. And
where there is such feeling Of discOrd
there will he latent bitterness and ever
recurring strife, whose surges will cifectu-
ally rctard the progress OF the country in
development, and render the pcrmanency
Of its institutions doubtful.
II, when the Government was established,
there had been clear definition OF its
powers and its right to maintain itself at
all hazards and against all foes. whether
from within or without, had been incontro-
vertiblv established. there would have been
no rebellion, and the internal polity Of the
country wOuld have shaped itself in accord
ancc with the will Of majority of the pco-
pie without the Tcmotest idea on the part OF
the minority that anything less than the
| right of revolution could avail TO enforce
their views. II was because Of the oppos-
ing constructions of the Constitution that
all our difficulties came upon us: and the
lesson should teach us the wisdom TO put
away danger from such source in the lti-
| ture. So long rs the two sections of the
country have each its own construction OF
| that instrument, each believing with
equal sincerity in its mtcrpreta-
ton, and supporting its views with
equal earnestncss and zeal so long the peO-
pie will have no confidence, no rest, no
peace, and underneath all surface recOncilia-
tion will lie the cold suh-strata of doubt and
distrust. There must he not only an unam-
biguous and precise exposition of funda-
mental principles, hut one obtained by such
| oil u,,I 81
people as shall conclude all as to its essence
and authenticity And there is no good
reason why such q clear and cOnsidcratC
construction shall not be at one. put upon
the Constitution by its immediate revision
There can be no doubt but that the wisdom
and patriotism of the people will proclaim
the true doctrine uncquivocally, and the
welfare of the country demands the enuncia-
ton.