Year: 1868

tian from q Radical source.


From Spriaq6eia Mass Repaolican Jan. Is.


The only defensible reason for recon-
suucting the Southern State Governments
was the purpose to confer suffrage on
the freedmen, in order TO the protection
of their rights. Those governments are
well enough in every other respect. II
this single purpose had controlled i'll the
matter, the process would have been com
paratively simple and unobjectionable.
But party objects were allowed to he mix
ed in. 1t was thoushtt would be good
thing so to manipulate the Southern gov
crnments as to secure the votes of the re.
constructed States for Republican, Presi
dent. To accomplish this the right to
vote and hold office was taken from all
tie Southern whites who had held Office
requiring an oath 10 support the C'nsti-
tuition OF the United States. This cxclud-
ed at once from political life the most in
tellgeat classes in the South, and those
at the time best disposed to accept any
terms Of reconciliation that should DC Of
fered. This made reconstruction by the
white population of the South impossible,
for they naturally felt that 1t would be
dlshonorable to abandon the leaders VINO
shared with them the guilt of the rebel
lion. Reconstruction was thus tarpwn
into the hands Of the negroes, led by a
few Northern white men and Southerners
who did not scruple to take any oath re-
qured Of them. That they should seek
to retain power by the same policy which
gave tito them is q matter of course, and
the first new constitution framed virtually
excludes nearly every white man from
suffrage and Office. 1t is so utterly indie.
fenSible on any principle OF justice and
equality that its trainers fear its rejection
hy the registered voters, and are begging
them to accept it in the hope that Con
gress will strike out its Objectionable pro.
visions.


The course of things in Congress just
now does not tend to sustain any sach
hope. 1t is essential to the programme
that the whites OF the South shall be in
the minority.a and the determination seems
to be to put it through at all hazards
The last remains of evil government in
the South are to be swept away upon the
declaration that they are not republican
in FORM though the forms are just what
they always have been. The false reason
has some value, however, as showing at
least an appearance Of respect for the
phases Of the Constitution. But we have
not come to the end Of this business; we
cannot even see to it. The governments
of the minority in the South, and that
minority black, will find it necessary to be
more and more repressive, and will need
strong military force to maintain them.
Is any body so insane as to predict recon.
ciliation of races, true republican or even
moderately just government, and restored
peace and loyalty as the result Of such a
systemY il so. about how soon? No,
the system is fundamentally wrong. and
will inevitably wax worse and worse,
And men are already asking how soon
"politcal necessity" may lead Congress
w lIlciicIC WIN CCitiln ANolLHSlu ptNlSo
and compel them to take the "repubican
form" of negro suffrage and white dis
franchiscment


The restoration Of Secretary Stanton
is doubtless consistent with the Tenure.
of Office Act. A special provision was
inserted in it, indeed, to meet bis case
Bat the discussion has made il clear that
the Iaw eannoi be dtended upon general
principles. TO compel q President to re-
tain in his Cabinet man with whom
friendly or respectful relations are impos
shle. every body feels to be an outrage
Having had its way and protected Mr
Stanton, the Senate would do well to re-
peal at once the provision made for hi'
case, in behalf Of which as permanent
rule not word can be said,


The proposition TO get iii Of Genera
Hancock by the indirect and cowardl>
dodge Of reducing the number OF MajoI
Generals, is Of piece with the scheme
for preventing decision against the con
stitNtionality Of reconstruction by ham
pering the Supreme Court They boil
! illustrate our theme, and show how on(
wrong act makes another necessary, An


80 legislation inevitably goes from had tc
worse. There is yet hope that the Senate
will arrest these measures. Tho same
party exigency which makes the two
thirds rule necessary for the Supreme
COurt may eoon require that 'ba Cour