ers solemnly secured to Congress by
the Constitution. No vindication could be more complete, no condemnation
could be more absolute and humiliating. Unless reopened by the sword, as
recklessly threatened in some circles, this question is now closed for
all time.

Without attempting to settle here the metaphysical and somewhat
theological question (about which so much has already been said and
written), whether once in the Union means always in the Union,--agreeably
to the formula, Once in grace always in grace,--it is obvious to common
sense that the rebellious States stand to-day, in point of law, precisely
where they stood when, exhausted, beaten, conquered, they fell powerless
at the feet of Federal authority. Their State governments were
overthrown, and the lives and property of the leaders of the Rebellion
were forfeited. In reconstructing the institutions of these shattered
and overthrown States, Congress should begin with a clean slate, and make
clean work of it. Let there be no hesitation. It would be a cowardly
deference to a defeated and treacherous President, if any account were
made of the illegitimate, one-sided, sham governments hurried into
existence for a malign purpose in the absence of Congress. These
pretended governments, which were never submitted to the people, and from
participation in which four millions of the loyal people were excluded by
Presidential order, should now be treated according to their true
character, as shams and impositions, and supplanted by true and
legitimate governments, in the formation of which loyal men, black and
white, shall participate.

It is not, however, within the scope of this paper to point out the
precise steps to be taken, and the means to be employed. The people are
less concerned about these than the grand end to be attained. They
demand such a reconstruction as shall put an end to the present
anarchical state of things in the late rebellious States,--where
frightful murders and wholesale massacres are perpetrated in the very
presence of Federal soldiers. This horrible business they require shall
cease. They want a reconstruction such as will protect loyal men, black
and white, in their persons and property; such a one as will cause
Northern industry, Northern capital, and Northern civilization to flow
into the South, and make a man from New England as much at home in
Carolina as elsewhere in the Republic. No Chinese wall can now be
tolerated. T