Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1865-11-24
President yohnsol's Redistribution
Policy.

tAat ti1t ne &c fresl4ent IN ccNlelonal
speeches. used language not rtile severe
and inhAmaio~y towards the rebel leaders
80 much 50. thai many Supposed he woulj
pursue a policy in the recons'ructiOn Of the
rebel Sistes. very different from that q the
lAnentei Lincoln. Suddenly called 10 the
Presidential chair. President johnson found
himself in position where be MAS not on
~ obliged 10 enuheiate tberories. bat pot
hem 10 actual operation. An eye. ~ere
turned 20 the - White house watching
With intense anxiety the term. and o0ndi-
lions Of reconsfrucfioa. A. they should be
developed IN the administrator Of the new
Chief Magistrate. The general expecsa-
ton seemed 10 be tha;. 60 usc the language
Of The Presidenf a. fhen expressed in his
spseches) TREASON wouii be treaied a. a
erius and traitors punished. . in other word.
thai 'be leading rvbeis would be compelled
TO answer 20 the governments for the heinous
crimes they had committed against IL.
Sgbsequent events however have demon
strafed. hat President johnson did not
carry his implied thrests towards the rebel.
into execution Patriotic considerations
and desire 20 win back The rcbelhou.
South. caused the President % adopt dif-
frreas POlicv. one q great lcuiencv and
mercy. Anv policy involving reconstruc-
ton At that time was simply an experiment.
something % be tried and tested AID Nth
this view Of the case the President appoint .
ed Provisional Governors in al The rebel
States. to pct the necessary machinery in
motion. 90 bring The rebel State government
back into the union. INSTEAD Of irving
and hanging batch or two Of the principal
traitors. the President took the other ex-
irene. issuing unconditional pardous 10 a
large number. vh5 Rad been actiscly enra-
ed IN the rebeliion. extending % them Exec
uiiVe cl-men~y. wiihout even tlsc Es-rn. Of
trial In TIE Judgment 81 many oftbe
best ciiirens % the country the President
in - free use % fhe pa-tlo,in- po-er
committed crrat error. His oJg-rr was
undoubtedly nnen.iabie. -he hon-d bv
granting special iavors 90 win baek % low
ATTY the ncn who rad inaucncc &c exert
over The southern masses. lie supposed a
rnAgnAniHo0s policy would do more towards
a succrssfui reconsfruction. than one more
severe and srbiiary In one vieu q the
Gaze. President Jobnson's policy tas been a
fAiiurr.--in another. u has not. Ithas fab
cd to change the hearts Of the rebel leaaers
20 loyalty. and s'iI further % bring back
the mas,as m many Of the rebel Sta'cs 20
acccp: the logical results % The var A
majority q these leaders sfiu secretly hate
the Old government and cling 90 the politi-
ca. beresies which impclled them on 90 Sc
oession and rebellion. They sport the sane
hasglty airs. pat on the same imperiou.
manners ard use mech the sane oarnsise
langua-e. 10 n modified form. that charsc-
tcrized them before The var. Inawo-d.
they arr Jas; A. good traitors nov a. they
ever were and ~ better. The fart r~c~ntlv
demonstrated IN The Con-ressional elections
IN the rehcl States that q majority 81 the
members elect arr traitors Who cannot take
The osth. ard among th-ru some az tbe most
conspicuous leaders in the rebellion. - proof
positive upon this point And the DISPOSE
ton 80 generally manifested in the rebel
States. 70 cypress. ensiave and disfranchise
the negro population. b. another proof. thai
the maznanimous course % the Presidsnt b
not received by them iu the spilit 10 -Lich
30 j. dictated. L. Sat The Prr.iIsrt him
seli. jadging irotn hi. OF -ial artion. coasid-
err rs fsh.y partial i1iIurr from the faet
that b. has double headed Governments in
80 least three oi che rebel State. ther hav-
ing clecied Governors and b. directing hi.
appointed Provisional Governors 70 over
ride their action and continue to administer
The State goscruuciit untii othervise or.lsr-
ed lie has recently granted bui few par
dons. ior The reason. that b. j. DOL, ,st,.e,.l
With the workings Of this policy and threat
ems % stop The thing entirely salcss De- sees
mere promising Indications Of ioyaify from
thcse Who have been made The recipients a.
lenisnt treatment
I b. truth b.. The Presidents Own policy
- fast driving hiaa % radirai ground. lie
nov demands Of the returning States lsf.-
The nulihcafion of iLe at q secession.
2d.-Ihe rcpudiafion q che rebel debfs.
ad.-Ihe acknoHledgmeai 90 ,le Emanc,-
patton Proclamation and fth.--Il.e ondors-
meut Of THE q ouErrssional amendment aboi
ishing slavery. We holI hs sborid demanI
a. beast one other coalition th. rer.-aI af
The disiIueiise negro code oft Soufhcru
STATES Jnle's thi. - done fbe frre.lu,~n
VII b. comparatively huie b.tt-r a. thar
t'er were in iber sias~ry. Tbe negro
shoud he aiiossd fo tr-t.Tr iu eosrt. ,f