Year: 1867

A retired officer of the Goycrnmcni-a wOr-
thy and patriotic ciizen-wlitcs US 10 propose
what no fanccs an admirable plan of Recon
structon. Here il the gist OF II


"ic, Congres, Doth parcs pass net OF general am
nssty aud admit all legal members oS CONDITION that The
late rcbcl0uS states promise. ~ solemn manner before
S,ch act goes into cocf-by Legislative proceedings or
they will take no lot or part In the next
Presidential election pass any oc or adopt any meas
urc, 10 appoint electors Ia the next Presidential can
Vass."


We cannot say which is the worse Of the
two leading features of this schcme-Recon-
struction without a shadow OF guaranty for the
rights and good treatment of the Freedmen; or
binding the Southern States not 10 vote for
next Prcsident-but they are both in our view,
exceedingly bad. Nobody wants the Southern
States excluded from voting for next Presi-
dent (; only let them be properly reconstructed,
and they ought so to vote, and 1t Is best for
all concerned that they should. 1t may be
that those States will not be in condition to
vote for President in November, 1868 but, if
sO we shall regret it as a National misfortune.


Our correspondent suggests that the question
of cndowing the t'reedmen with political rights
be adjourned TO a camer time; which Is like
proposing that preaching the gospel be sus
pended until all men shall have become holy
and humane. We want the question OF Freed
mems Rights and all kindred questions settled
now, in order that there shall be peace. Not
by postpOning and patching, but by graphing
with and settling ali the great questions at issue
is our land to be restored to true and lasting
peace.


The vigOr and decision evnced by the
in ta | isttp An
bill seem most auspcious We could wish
changes in the details of that measure; but
we are tired of waiting to have things so
necessary done as we could wish, and are glad
to see them done at all. Again we entrcat
both Houses to pass bill or bills providing
for the reconstruction and readmission to
Congress of ere,y State now unrepresentcd-
to pass such bill or bills at his session without
FAIL If il (or they should he vetoed give the
veto candid considerations and, if the obcc-
lions it embodies can be Obviatcd without a
surrender of vital principle, so be it; if not,
pass the bill over the vctO-at all events, try.
Nobody will blame Congress for what the
President may do or leave undOne; very few
will justify failure to do what is right aud
proper on suspicion that the President will
non-cOncur or nullfy.


There are millions of loyal people in the
South who COmplain-in our opinion, justly
complain--that their rights and liberties are not
now adequately protected They look TO Con-
grcss for n redress of the wrongs they suffer;
how can Congress excuse failure to try to
give them ample protection? All that Con-
gress has done with this view has been nObly
sustained by the People, had it gone further
and faster, that support would have been
equally hearty and efficient. How, then, can
this Congress adjourn, leaving its proper work
in large measure to the nexls On what ground
can such non action he iustifiede'


Hours are precious. In a very few more days
the power Of this Congress to pass bill' over
veto will have lap4ed for ever May we not
hope ss we'll as bcg tdat The ul0par reGQpstruc