The Bedford gazette. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1805-current, 1865-06-09
The Radicals and the President,


These restless agitators, the radical abolition
lists, are now holding meetings for the purpose
Of compelling President Johnson to step upon
their platform. They denounce him without
stint, because of his North Carolina reconstruc-
tion proclamation, and show themselves the YER
lest ''copperheads," in opposing his administra-
tion. These men are never satisfied. The dew
ilish spirit which through their agency, keeps
society in constant ferment seems inexorable.
They preached and plotted until they succeeded
a4''1iFs H. ltfirhuehce over the Southern
people, as finally led to disunion and civil war.
and now they are preaching and plotting to
drive the administration into such position On
fhe negro question, as will probably end in a
war of races. We find the following account
Of meeting Of these enemies of the public
peace, in the telegraphic columns Of our ex-
changes:
BosToN, May 31-The New England anti
Slavery Convention met to day, and was very
taily attended. Rev. J. F. Sargent was chosen
as President, and Wendell Phillips as Chairman.
The business committee reported a resolution
80 the effect that it is the settled opinion of the
convention that the reconstruction of the rebel
States without negro suffrage, is practical sur
render to the Confederacy, ana will make the
Rnti-sIaVery proclamation Of the late President,
and even the expected amendment to the Con-
stituton, utterly inefficient for the freedom and
protection of the negro race.
Mr.. Philips supported the resolution In Wig
orous speech. He also said there was but one
way in which the people, could still hold the
helm Of affairs and that was declaration of
the reputation Of the entire war debt. Such
party would have his voice and vote until
God called him home. He would constantly
oppose every step of reconstruction that did not
place the negro upon an absolute equality with
the white maH. There were but two parties in
the country, the sycophants of Jeff Davis and
the lovers of liberty. Every man who support
ed The North Carolina proclamation was Da-
Wis sycophaEt Better, far better would it have
been for Grant TO have surrendered to Lee than
for President Johnson to have surrendered to
North Carolina.
ilon. Amasa Walker followed, in a full en-
dorsement Of Phillips speech.
judged by the 'Hloyar standard of the bla-
TAM war-shriekers Of few months ago, Wen
dell Phillips, Hon. Amasa Walker and Rev
Sargent would have been pronounced guilty of
treason What could be more ''disloyal'' than
calling the President Of the United States
1Dayis sycophant,' or declaring that it would
have been 'better for Grant to have surrender
ed TO Lee, than fer President johnson to have
SURRENDERED to North Carolina p From the lips
of Fallandigham, or the Woods, this would
have been crank treason. But when Phillips
and CO. assail the President, they only usa the
privilege Of free speech, an immunity belonging
exclusively, in these days. to those most clam
orous and uncompromising in their efforts to
disturb the public tranquility. But why are
those presses which but so lately denounced
Democratic statesmen for their opposition to
the policy of the administration, silent in regard
TO these New England calumn ators of Presi-
dent Jchnson2 Why have they no rebuke for
this Abolition 'disloyalty?' Do they sympa- |
thize with it and approve Of it? Are they, too
Apostates from the doctrine of ''unauestioning
loyalty!" Come, now, gentlemen Of the Re.
publican press, let us hear from you Why is !
't that you havsnothing TO say against Wendell
Philips "ireasoHable uiterauees9