Year: 1867



 Itis said, in the next place, that if we do not accept the present plan of re- construction proposed in these militia " bills, another plan, more odious and oppressive, will be provided. Further disfrahchiscment, it is said, of the white race will take place, and it may be a total tiisfranchisement of all but the blacks and their fellows in suffer- ings and former bondage--the perse- cuted loyalists; and who alone will then have the government of the State.

 But if the present plan fails because it is unconstitutional, how can worse plan-a plan still more unconstitution- al--succeed? Ifitis not in the power of Congress ft5 disfranchise few, how can it disfranchise a,r2 Congress can neither make nor uhmake electors, and every member of the Congress knows it. And every act which seeks or pre- tends to make or unmake voters in a State is void and will be declared so !; and every election held, or constitu- ton formed; or government organiz- ed by voters who are made voters only by Congress, is void and will be de- clared so. Every man who is made n voter by the laws of his State, and is denied that vote by Congress, is wronged, and every agent or officer of the Congress or other person who en- forces the denial is wrong-doer, and responsible in all the penalties and damages prescribed by the State laws. The only danger possible lies Tn the strange fear of the people to assert their rights, and the consequent dispo- sitfcn to consent to the wrong. From consent 'alohe'can wrong derive power, and when once consented to its power becomes irresistible. If they did not see, or think they saw, | fatal inclina- ton in our people to yield, Congress and the renegades would not ask their consent, nor dare to inflict the wrongs. For to attempt the wrong and fail (and without consent they must fail,) can orly bring ultimate disgrace on those who make the attempt. When the burglar knows the owner of the house is awake and determined to resist, he will not dare to enter; but if he knows the owner is asleep or disposed to yield, he is sure to enter; he is in- vited to enter. A Congress Or frag- mentary conclave thereof, who breaks the Constitution to inflict wrongs on an unresisting people, is more criminal and far more cowardly than the bur- glar; and the man who is within-who is of the people-and who counsels submission to the wrong, is far more to be despised than burglar or than even such Congress.

 Of like character is the threat that, if we reject their plan, Congress will, in new plan, add confiscation. He is to be pitied for his simplicity who does not know that Codgress has no more power to confiscate the property of a  peaceable citizen than has political meeting or church mob; and thatthe very attempt would necessarily end the existence of the Congress attempt- ing 1t.

 But, hnifianly and without founda- tion of either law or reason, as are these threats of further attempts at disfranchisement and contiscation, they arc of surpassing importance in other respects, and demand the most serious consideration of our people. The pc sition urged upon us is this: Wo must submit, to proposed wrong lest a greater wrong follow. We must sur render our franchises, because if we dc not, our property Will be taken also Now the first point to which bes at.