Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1865-11-22
Reconstruction and Suffrage.
IMPORTANT LETTER FROM GOVERNOR ANDREW.

IMPORTANT LETTER FROM GOVERNOR ANDREW.
Gov. Andrew, of Massachusetts Is per
haps as radical in his views rs Charles
Sumner, but more practical. The follow
ing letter is important. and VIII be read
with interest at this time
DEAR SIR:-It is not my belief that IN
any of the seeding States the time
has vet arrived when its State Govern
ment can be r-e-established with safety
Whether the white mar only votes, or
whether the colored man also votes, l re-
gard the movement at the present mo-
ment with concern. 1t has taken us four
wears TO onoue therebels i II all OF them.
I would not risk-great or small-of al
lowing the same class of men TO beat us
at any appeal to fraud. They appealed
10 force and were conquered. Let us hold
on TO the W we now have to do right,
to protect the loyal, TO rebuild the State,
to re-establish society, to secure the lib
erty of the people and the safety OF the
Union. Let it be used with parental
kindness, and in the temper OF concllla-
ion. But hold on to the power, and, IN
the fear of God, let it be used. 1t was
bougbt with the blood of more than q
million of heroes and patriots who have
given ND their lives for their country
Let us see to it that by no error of ours
such torrents of blood shall flow again.
[ think the loyalty of the South needs
time for concentration. Therefore /
think no reconstruction will be success
full now: and therefore, as a radical be
lever in the suffrage fer eli men OF com
Detent capacity. irrespective OF color or
national origin. | the less regret that col
ored men are not now permitted 10 vote
in the South. | do not believe their vot-
ing would prevent the failure which now
seems most likely to result from these eX-
periments. and we may lie glad not TO
nave them involved in the catastrophe.
They will vote by and by. Their vote
will be wanted lust as their arms were
wanted. All people will yet see, that
poor and ignorant as they are, they are
on the right side, and that they can be
neither cheated nor bullied into betrayal
or desertion. Meanwhile they will be
gaining in knowledge and in admitted ca
pacity to exercise the political functions
of citizenship. All the North Will by ana
by agree that the theoretical superiority
of the white masters, which did not pre-
vent them from committing the most
monstrous of all the blunderS and crimes
of history. renders them in the eyes OF
practical craftsmanship inferior material
for good citizens TO their humble and an
enlightened freedmen.
Ideeply deplore the necessity of raising
the general question of suffrage for color
ed men in the South thus early. ! had
hoped that the last vestige of heresy on
that question might be first eradicated in
New England, where it even now retains
a foothold. | had hoped that the poor
freedmen might nave the opportunity OF
a brief future, unprecedented by becoming
Immediately the subject of political on
~troversy. For one, however, still hope
and believe that there need be no strife
or angry debate.
We have reached a point where tempe
rate, philosophical and Statesmanlike
treatment Of grave questions has become
easy, because of its controlling and alb
solate necessity. We are to have an era
of calm, wise. and yev brave and hopeful
~counsels. The people cannot afford 9th
er. They must and will resume control
of public affaiTs-sometimes too much IN
trusted to accident. And then the prelu-
dices of tradition and caprices OF politics
will be alike disregarded.
Allow me 10 add, that in the end, al
though for the present il may seem other
wise to casual observation, l do not eX-
pect to find the deliberate judgment OF
the President, who is an able statesman
and an honest patriot. differing with that
of Massachusetts, herself. In his reply
to my own remarks, introducing 10 him
a large delegation of gentlemen from
Massachusetts, the President emphatic
ally declared mis- purpose to do his utmost
to make this country PERMANENTLY free y
The logic of events is irresistible. Thus
far freedom has been gaining. and it has
held whatever it gained. With patient,
hopeful and manly courage on our own
part the future Is secure.
l am faithfully and resp'iy yours,
JOHN A. ANDREW.