Year: 1866

The New XGrIz Herald Deserts the


Sinking Ship, and Comes out f0I.


Congressional Reconstruction
The New York HERALD, the most pow
erful and influential Copperhead paper in
this country is at last forced to acknowl-
edge the justice. of the proposed Constitu-
tienal amendments and denounce the
course pursued by President johnson. 1t
will be seen that the Herald also predicts
the glorious triumph of the Union party
and the total failure ofany party that sup
ports the present policy of Andrew john
son.


From the New York Herald of the 18th.


THE RECENT AND TIE COMING ELECTIONS
THE prospects.


1t is a historical axiom that revolutions
never go backward. Its truth has been af-
firmed in the great political events of this
country since the adjournment of Con-
gress, and especially in the recent State
| elections. 1t was reasonable to suppose
that the Jacobinical violence, recklessness
and ferocity of such political reformers as
Ben Butler in the East, Senator Chand-
Ter in the West, and Parson BroWnlow in
the South, would have damaging effect
upon their party when brought to Judge
ment before the people; but it is striking
!
elections in Maine that the popular mind
is controlled by larger questions, against
which the sayings OF doings of this or that
finatical politician go for nothing. That
great body Of the American people to
which we are indebted for the suppress
sion of the most formidable rebellion in
the history Of mankind, are evidently de-
terinined TO have substantial securities for
the future before they pronounce the good
work OF the restoration of the Union COM
| plete-that in short, Southern recOnstruc-
ton shall rest upon the solid foundation of
the federal constitution, regardless of the
! disturbing forces of radicals, cOpperheads,
rebels ruffiians or fanatics. n orth or South.


From the elections which have occurred
since the constitutional amendment was
adopted by Congress for the reconstruction
of the Southern States, we are satisfied that
that amendment is to become the basis of
Southern restoration-that it will carry
and be carried by all the Northern State
elections yet to come; and that with New
Jersey leading o1f,itwill be ratified by them
all, and become part and parcel of the su-
/ preme law Of the land. Nor have we any
fear Of the consequences. There is moth
ing, after all, SO very Objectionable in this
Notwithstanding which President
johnson himself has not, at one time or
another, recommended to some Southern
State or to Congress, and nothing upon
which there should have been a disagree
melt between the President and Congress.
Let lis for 4 moment look at this amend
ment again. 1t provides:


First-That all persons born OF natural
lied in the United States are citizens there
of and of the Statesin which they reside.
and On footing Of equality in regard to
their civil rights.


SecOnd-That the enumeration of the
people for representation in Congress shall
be abridged in proportion to the abridge-
ment Of the right ofsuffrag above
the age oftwenty-one years-in any State,
on account of race or color.


Third-That a large schedule of persons,
civil and military, engaged in the late re-
bellion. shall be Ineligible to any federal
office hereafter until absoived by two
thirds vote Of each House of Congress.
Fourth-That the national war debt shall
be held sacred, and that all rebel debts and
obligation shall be utterly repudiated and
held illegal and void.


Fifth-That Congress shall have power
to enforce the provisions of this article.


This amendment is the reconstruction
plan and platform of Congress, and there
is no good reason. we say. why it should
not have been adopted also by the Presi-
dent, inasmuch as he stands committed in
some shape to all its provisions. 1t is not
the platform ofThaddeus Stevens. Sumner.
or any of the noisy Radicals of Congress.
Thoy can do nothing. 1t was adopted a
| 9ainst their remOnstranccS and in spite of
their threats. It embodies substantially,
in factthe Presidents original programme
and If carried in these coming October and
| November electiOnS-as we predict it - i'll
be, from Massachusetts and New York
WestWard-we trust that the admin istra-
ton, in Difference to the will OF the people,
will come back to it. Why not? Surely
this amendment engrafted upon the Con-
stitutiOn will be amply sufficient for the
restoration of the Union, internal peace.
sectional harmony and the security of the
Government and the Treasury for many
generations to come, against all disturbing
factions of either section. Parson Brown
low. in leading off with the State OF
Tennessee for the ratification. has shown
that good thing may be done by bad
man and for q bad motive: but that Ten
nessee should thus lead off for this amend
ment is a very remarkable and significant
fact-that New Jersey should next follow
is almost as strange; but from good or bad
| designs, thus started, the amendment will
surely 60 thaOuGh.


The Presidents quarrel and rupture with
Congress was an unfortunate mistake
From recent events. South and North. it is
clear that it will prove fatal blunder to
his administration. unless he abandOns it
as the issue before the people. The old
lrontests in England between King and
Parliament are full of instruction on this
subject. Had Mr.. Johnson taken our
friendly advice. and made the distinguish
ING fertures ofhis administration vigor-
Gus foreign policy and a sound financial
system. he might ere this have become as
popular President as Andrew Jackson.
He has yet q fair field before him in which
to retrieve his misfOrtunes ethim begin
De noUo by reconstruction of his Cabinet.
beginning with his particular marplot. the
Secretary of State; and let him give us 4
Cabinet and policy, foreign and domes-
tic. shaped to meet the eNi@encies of the
day, and the developments of public opin-
| ion, and his administration may still be-
come universally acceptable and glorious
| ly successful. We speak to him as friend.
and. we think. in the voice of the people.


a Long Casualty List.


| The Presidential party seem to have been
pretty much all killed or wounded except
the distinguished head--the distributor of
| the aforesaid constitutions and of the flags