The Ebensburg Alleghanian. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1865-1871, 1865-10-26
Good Advice from an Unexpec-
ted Quarter.


j. Fl. Reagan, Postmaster General of
the late Southern Confederacy, who has
just been released from Fort Warren ON
parole, during his confinement therein
wrote long letter to the people of Texas,
IN which ne gives them some very whole
some advice. He says they must agree to
recognize the supreme authority of the
Government Of the United States within
the sphere of its power, and the right to
protect itself against disintegration by the
secession of the States Also, they must
recognize the abolition Of slavery, and the
right of those who have been slaves to the
privilege and protection of the Law. He
says the only wise and safe course for them
to pursue is to accept promptly, unreserv-
edly, and in good faith, the terms and pol
icy offered, and to 60 forward in the work
Of reorganization and restoration of tie
Union.
In reference to the reconstruction of the
State, he says:
81 have no doubt you can adopt plan
which will fully meet the demands of JUS
tlce and fairness and satisfy the Northern
mind and the requirements of the Govern
ment, without endanger:ng good govern
inent and tho repose Of society. This can
be done by:
"First, extending the privileges and
protection of the laws over negroes as they
are over the whites, and allowing them to
testify In the courts on the same condi-
tions, leaving their testimony subject to
the rules relating to its credibility, but
not ohjecting to its admissibility. And
in this you will conform with the wise
curren: of modern legislation, and the
tendency of all judicial decisions in all en-
| lightened countries.
"And second, by fixing an intellectual
and moral, and, if thought necessary, a
property test for the admission of all per-
sons to the exercise of the elective fran
chise, without referenee to race or color,
which would secure It's Intelligent exer-
else.
"My own view would be
First, That no person now entitled to
the privilege of voting should be deprived
of 1t because Of any new test. [ would
recognize in this the difference between
taking away right not heretofore exer-
cised
Second, That to authorize the admis-
sion of persons hereafter to the elective
/ franchise, they should be, first, males;
second, twenty-one years of age; third,
citizens of the United States fourth,
should have resided in the State one year
and in the district, county, OF precinct,
SIX months next preceding any election
at which they propose to vote fifth, sho'd
be able 10 read in the English language
understandingly; and must have paid
| taxes for the last year preceding for
which such taxes were due aud payable,
subject to any disqualification for crime
| of which the person may have been duly
convicted, which may be prescribed by
| law.
"The adoption of these measures, in
addition to those before mentioned, would
| In my judgment, meet the ends of justice
and fairness secure the re-establishment
of the State Government the admission
of her Senators and Representatives in
| Congress, the suspension of military rule,
and the restoration of civil, constitutional
and local self government. And it would
| do more. It would secure you protection
against other great and pending evils
and is, I am persuaded. of the greatest
consequence to your future peace, pros
perity and happiness"
! After brief argument in support of
the foregoing propositions, the adoption
of which he contends would do much
toward the renewal of the ancient rela-
tions of national harmony and fraternal
good will between all parts of the country,
| he concludes as follows
e If the State will accept this policy at
once, it will attain the great ends here
tofore mentioned, and it will save its own
people from years of painful strife and
| agitation on these questions, which would
at last, probably after years of contention,
be found to be the only means of bringing
it to an end, even if it be led to nothing
worse. How infinitely better it will be for
you, for both races, for the present and
the future, for the whole country, if you
will uahesitatingly recognize the unalter-
able facts as to your condition, and the
| inevitable logic of events and hasten, as
it is in your power to do, the return of
the blessings of civic government aud con-
stitutional liberty; and avoid, as it is in
your power to do, the fearful peril which
now lies before you"