Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-10-25
food advice from an Unexpected Quartsr.
Letter from one of Jeffs Cabinet

Letter from one of Jeffs Cabinet.
d, II Reagan, Postmaster General of the
late Southern Confederacy, who has Just
been released from Fort Warren, during his
confinement therein wrote long letter to
the people OF Texas, in which he gives them
some very wholesome advice. He saws they
must agree to recognize the supreme author
ity 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. unreserved-
ly, and in good faith, the terms and policy
offered, and go forward in the work of re-
organization and restoration to the Union.
In reference to the reconstruction of the
State he says:
Il have no doubt you can adopt plan
which will tulymeet the demands of iusticapd
fairness and satisfy the Northern mind. and
the requirements of the Government, with
out endangering good government and the
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 conditions, leaving their
testimony subject to the rules relating Its
credibiity, but not objecting to its admissible
ty. And in this you will conform with the
wise current of modern legislation, and the
tendency ofali judicial decisions in all enligh-
tened countries
And second, By fixing an intellectual and
moral. and if thought necessr rry, a property
test for the admission of all persons to the
exercise OF the elective frachise. withoutref
erence to race or color, which would secure
its intelligent exercise.
My own view would be
First, That no person now entitled to the
privilege OF voting should be deprived OF it
because of any new test. | would recognize
IN this the difference between taking away
right not heretofore exercised.
Second-That to authorize the admission
OF persons hereafter to the elective franchise,
they should be, first, males; second, twenty
one years Of age; third. citizens Of the Uni
ted States; fourth, should have resided in
the state one year, and in the district, coun-
ty or precinct, SIX months next preceding
any election at which they propose to vote;
Eth, should be aDle to read in the English
language understandingly and must have
paid taxes for the last year preceding for
which such taxes were due and payable. sub
iect to an, disqualification for crime, OF which
the person may have been duly convicted,
which may be prescribed by law.
The adoption OF these measures, in addi-
ton to those before mentioned, would. In my
judgment, meet the ends of justice and fair
ness; secure the re-csta allishment of the
State government, the admission of her Sen
ators and Representatives in Congress, the
suspension Of military rule, and the restora
ton of civil, constitutional. and local self
government. Aud it would do more 1t
would secure yonr protection against other
great and pending evils; and is, | am per-
staded, of the greatest consequence to your
future peace, prosperity and happiness.
After brief argument in support Of the
foregoing propositions, the adoption which
he contends would do much toward the re-
newal ofthe ancient relations of nation al har-
mony and lraternal good will between all
parts of the country. he concludes as follows:
If the State will accept this policy at once
1t viii attain the great ends heretofore men
toned, and it will save its own people from
years of painful STRIFE and agitation on these
questions, which would at last, probably af-
ter years of contention, be found to be the
only means of bringing it to an end even lift
lead TO nothing worse. How infinitely bet
ter 1t will be for you, for both races, for the
present and the future. for the whole eoun-
try, if you will unhesitatingly recognize the
unalter.;ble facts as to your condition, and
the inevitable logic of events and hasten as
it is in your power tn do, the return of the
blessings Of civil government and constitu-
tional liberty and avoid, as it is in your
power to do, the fearful peril which now lies
before you.