Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1880-08-05

might lead to continued Republican
supremacy in the nation. To prevent
this they were willing and DESTROYS
that the rebel element should obtain
sway in the South, even at the cost of
DISTINGUISHING and re-enslaving the
blacks. Accordingly, the Democrats
in Congress and elsewhere soidly op-
posed the legislation mentioned, and
President johnson vetoed it. It be-
came the law in spite of such opposi-
ton by being passed by Congress over
the veto by exclusively Republican
votes And in the work of recon
struction pursuant to this the ex-rebels
in the South the democracy then
and now--opposcl at every step of
the way the good work which a Re
publican Congress. sustained by a
loyal people North and South, had
begun. President johnson removed
Gen Sheridan from command at New
Orleans in 1867 and placed Gen. Han
cock in command there because Sheri-
dan, true to the cause he had fought
for. insisted that rebels should not dis
franchise and outlaw Union men. Han
cock, in obedience to the policy of
President johnson, and It seems in ac-
cordance with bis own inclinations,
overturned the policy of Sheridan and
of Congress, and placed the important
work Of recognizing the State Gov
eminent of Louisiana in the hands
Of noted New Orleans rebels; and
the Democracy Of the country APP
plauded the act. Gen. Grant soon
after revoked the order Of Gen. Han
cock, and the latter, foiled in his
effort to serve the infamous policy of
President johnson, asked to be and
was relieved Of his command. 1t is
historical fact worthy to be remem-
bered in this connection, that it was
while in command at New Orleans
under the circumstances above men
toned, that Gen. Hancock issued
his celebrated order No 40, which
met the prompt disapproval of Gen.
Grant, and which was wholly unwar-
ranted by the condition AMI circum-
stances surrounding him at the time
but which, as a bid for democratic
favor, then made up what has since
constituted his presidential stock in
trade. Firmly adhering to its policy,
the Republicans proposed and ratified
the 18th amendment to the Constitu-
ton, which took effect in July 1868,
and declared as part Of that instru-
ment that "aU persons, born or natau'-
allied in the United States. and
subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are
citizens Of the United States and of
the State wherein they reside" This
amendment also declared that the
validity Of the public debt of the
United States shall not be questioned,
but that neither the United States,
nor any State shall assume
Or pay any debt or obligation
incurred in aid of the Rebellion. This
amendment places the citizenship not
only of the native but foreign born,
firmly upon the bed rock of the con-
stitution, and takes it out of the power
Of any authority lawfully to disturb it.
Of the same great authority, while the
constitution is observed, is the declar-
alton that the national public debt
shall not be questioned, and that
neither the rebel debt, nor any claim
Of loss for emancipated slaves shall
ever be paid by the United States or
any State. True to its instincts and
policy, the Democratic party opposed
this amendment almost to a man.
Every Democrat in Congress opposed
its submission; every Democratic
Legislature opposed its ratification.
During the same year-1S68-the
Democracy Of the country declared
against the whole policy Of recon
struetion, constitutional amendments
and all, declared them null and void,
and nominated a candidate who went
before the convention upon the express
ground that they were void and ought
not to be respected or enforced. Gen.
Hancock was a candidate before that
convention, and though not nominated,
wrote a letter committing himself
unqualifedly to its principles and the
support Of its candidates. And still
we find no evidences that the Democ-
racy have undergone change for the
better. We will look further.
CHAs. NJ WEBB,
Chairman Elk. Com. Rep. Club.
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