Year: 1862




Do with Thsa when Rsoevereds


What shall we do with our revolted States


with the suppression Of tho rebellion therein


and their restoration to the supreme authority


of the Unionf What is the prevailing idea in


Congressi What is the programme of the ad-


ministrationi What plan is most likely to be


adopted


These are now among the most interesting
questions Of this crisis, convinced, as we are,


that the day of the re-establishment of the
Union in its territorial integrity is close ct


hand. Mr. Senator Sumner, upon the theory


that the States involved in this rebellion have


forfeited all their rights and claims TO protec-


ton under the constitution, slavery included,


proposes TO treat them as conquered provinces.


His plan is to put them back to the condition of


Territories, and to put their inhabitants, whites


and blacks, under the supreme authority of


Congress, upon q common footing Of political


equality. According to this plan, in the read


mission Of the States concerned into the Union


they would. probably bring with them from,


twenty to thirty black representatives to the
popular brsnch Of Congress, from the prepon-


derance Of the black vote in 90 many districts,


and four black members TO the Senate. in con-
| sequence of the popular majority of the black
| over the white population of South Carolina


and Mississippi.


! Mr.. Sumner, no doubt, would be pleased to
| see Cufee in the seat in the United States
Senate lately occupied by JEFF. Davis, and Sam
| bo in the seat 90 long filed, down to 1860, by
| John G. Calhoun. But this sweeping abolition


scheme of negro "liberty, equality and frater-
nifty" suggests to the rejecting mind such
| scenes of confusion, decentralization and anar
| chy, political and social, that we cannot be-
| lieve its consummation within the bounds Of
probability; notwithstanding the favor which it
commands among the abolition faction of Con-
gress Against this pestilential faction there is
a conservative body of members in both
houses, which prefers the simple and the emil
nently practicable and desirable Union policy
Of our present patriotic and sagacious federal
administration.


From President Lincoln's first war proclama-
State papers, including his last Message to Con-
gress, his policy is clearly defined to be the
restoration of the old Union. Nor do we think
it necessary to dwell upon any intermediate
projects between this simple, easy and safe plan
Of Mr. Lincoln, and the radical, violent, sweep
ing and anarchical abolition scheme of Senator
Sumner. The President holds that the States
in rebellion are still in the Union And how
can any one deny this, without recognizing said
States as under the government Of an indie
pendent confsderacy! 1t follows, therefore,
that with the suppression or the expulsion of
the rebels in arms from any State it is at once
restored to its former condition, and the people
Of any such State may at once proceed to re-
store their former State government under the
Union, and their representation in the two
houses of Congress.


But, halting between the government Of the
Union and that of JEFF. Davis how are the peo-
pie to proceed to the work of formally resum-
ing their allegiance to the Union in revolted
State, although said State may be fully occu-
pied by our armed forces. If the man recog-
nized by the people concerned as the Governor
Of the State refuses to call any election, who is
to call it? That question may be answered by
the simple fact that if the Governor is a rebel
he is anullity, and so with every State officer who
might otherwise take his place. In the absence,
then, Of any legitimate State officer competent
to call an election, the United States military
commander in recovered State, under the au-
thority of the President, or the President, by
proclamation, may appoint day for the elec-
ton of new Governor, State officers, Legisla-
ture and members of Congress, under the old
order Of things existing in said State down to
the day of her plunge into the Dismal Swamp of
secession.


Assuming for example, that the State of Ten
nessee is now substantially reconquered from
the rebels by the heroic troops of General Hal
leck and General Buell., can any one doubt the
immediate and complete success of the plan Of
action we have indicated? We arc confident
that the Presidents call of an election would
be promptly responded to by the Union men of
the State, and that some such intrepid and faith
full Union leader as Andy Johnson triod in the
hottest fires Of secession vengeance, would
supersede that infamous rebel Governor, Harris,
by an almost unanimous popular vote; and so
to the end of the catalogue. Thus Tennessee
would at once be reinstated as she was in the
Union; and, considering the quiet and satisfac-
tory settlement of the slavery question which
would thus be secured in that State, we dare
say that this example Of her restoration would
instantly bring about an overwhelming popular
revolution against JEFF. Davis in every other
slave State, including even South Carolina.
The events Of the present week may bring
this subject prominently before Congress; and
in this anticipation we submit our plan for
reinstating our revolted States in the full
enjoyment of the Union, as the simplest,
safest and best that could be adopted. In its


essential features it is the only plan, in


our humble opinion whereby the Union policy
of Honest Abe Lincoln" can be consummated


without disaster, disturbance or danger TO our