Year: 1864

the great business OF the next aOInlOlStfa-
tion, if the war is successful, hence the Con-
plicitly how the rebel States are to be re-
stored TO their places in the Union, but it
neither declared for the Sumner theory, the
Lincoln plan, nor any other method OF re-
construction. True, and in this the Con-
vention showed not only good party policy
but sound practical sense and statesman
ship. Reconstruction is not to be philO-
sophical process, but q fact, varying in its
forms according to the condition and cir
cumstances Of the several States. So Con-
gress evidently thought when it sanctioned
the operation by which West Virginia was
made State and admitted to the UniOn.-
So the Baltimore Convention decided when
it admitted the delegates from Louisiana,
Tennessee and Arkansas. West Virginia
was reconstructed in one way; these three
States are in process Of reconstruction in
another, the Presidents way. II Congress
chooses to enact further provisions on, the
subject, the States now under rebel control
may come back in q still different way
But they will all be alike in substance, be-
cause in each case evidence will be requir-
ed Of the existence of q State Government
in loyal hands and Of the abolition Of bla


very. These are the essential things, and
these secured, what do we care about theo-
ries Of reconstruction? Mr.. Sumner may
perfect and amplity his theory OF State sui
eide, and hang it all around with festoons
of rhetoric and classical iliustration-there
is no harm done, so long as he votes for
Lincoln and johnson, and does not object
to the latter as President Of the Senate be-
cause his State has not returned TO the I'm
ion in accordance with the suicide notion.
And the conservative Republicans may in.
sist as vehenently as they please that there
is no State out Of the Union, il they viii
only vote for Lincoln and johnson. and
nGf n n on, ~, a hn 81.
ed test Of loyalty and the condition indis-
pensiDle to the restQration Of each State TO
its place in the general government. Why
should the party OF the Union quarrel over
the merely circumstantial, when they are
a unit as to all that is substantial and per.
manent? They could have no inducement
TO do so unless they wish TO give aid and
comfort to copperheads and rebels.


The Mexican resolution is also quite un-
satisfactory to the copperheads. Some OF
them insist that 1t re-asserts the Monroe
doctrine and hits Secretary Seward square
between the eyes; others that it abandOns
the Monroe doctrine and truckles to
France. Neither Interpretation is right
The resolution re-affirMs the Monroe Goct-
rine in the same words used by Congress,
but ii does not threaten to make war for
1t. This is just the right position, and 1t
will have the desired effect upon Napoleon.
He understands, that although the United
States does not forc;bly resist his conquest
Of Mexico, it does not abandon the tue
American doctrine, and reserves its right
to vindicate it by force whenever it pleases.
This is precisely the view taken by the
people. We are not in a condition to fight
France now if her assault were directly
upon US We should do it OF course, bat
war for an idea can be postponed TO more
convenient season and the Mexican diff
ficulty may solve itself without outside
interference. We can afford TO wait and
watch.


And why did not the Baltimore conven-
ton declare for negro suffrage? the cop
perhea6s demand. Because this is ques-
ton Of the future, and state rather than
q national one. Restoration Of the cOlored
race 70 liberty and equality before the law
does not necessarily involve the giving to
them of the prerogative Of suffrage. On
theoretical grounds they have no better
It will come in good time, when the color
ed people have lifted themselves for it and
conquered the prejudices Of the whites bat
any party that should undertake to force
the measure upon the states, upon the free
states even, would be beaten out of sight,
and would deserve TO be. The present
work is TO subdue the rebel masters and
free the slaves. This il platform broad
enough, and an enterprise large enough,
for any party and any Administrations
At any rate this is where the Union party
stands. Here the copperheads must meet
us. They can raise no issue against the


Baltimore platform that is not against the
suhjugation Of the rebels and the abolition
Of slavery. Hedging and prevarication


will not answer in these earnest times


Dare they accept the plain issues offered
and makean honest appeal to tie peopls9
l-SprinIeeld Republican,.
-1-O