Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1865-08-17

throwing all possible light upon subjects
which may sooner or later become topics OF
importance, and upon which we may have
to form definite policy. When the time
comes for action, all thoroughly loyal men
should agree to support that policy which
the wisdom of the majority may agree upon,
unless it shall conflict with some principle
conscicntiously held in which case those
who so dissent have the undoubtcd right to
withdraw their connection, not from a can
didate simply, but from the party. This
view of political organization is the only one
have been able to find, which will secure
proper unity and power Of action, and at
the same time afford full scope for true pro-
ual thought which, beg you to remember.
is as much the right of candidates as of those
who nominate them.
Our Convention adopted a platform, of
which the doctrinal part is substantially EN-
bodied in two propositions: lst. THAT
slavery and its Institutions are irrcconcil
ably opposed to freedom and free institu-
tons," and must be finally and completely
eradicated; ID That President Johnson's
policy of re. construction is "indorsed, with
the proviso that the completed restoration
of the rebel States shall be at such time
and upon such terms as will give unques-
toned assurance of the peace and security
not only of the loyal people of the rebel
States, but also Of the peace and prosperity
of the Federal Union"
The spirit and disposition which should
control us in determining the time and
terms of reconstruction, and all other
questions of policy accumulatng upon us,
were likewise stated in two resolutions, one
urging the example Of our martyred Presi-
| 1 az, r.. Al.
culties to be furnished by the progress of
ing the necessity ''of keeping steadily in
as set forth in the Declaration of Indepen-
dence.'
| To condcnsc still more, the essence of the
position of the party may be said to be, the
determination of the political results of the
war by the united and harmonious action OF
truly loyal men, actuatcd by a spirit at once
cautious and controlled by an earnest belief
in the broadcast doctrines of human rights.
To those principles have given my pub
lie and sincere adhesion. You are the only
members of the Union party of the State
whom | have found impatient to commit
your brethren in advance of the meeting Of
Congress to definite policy upon subject
upon which the Convention had by strong.
est implication declared it premature to dc.
eide what course ought to be taken. The
State election decides no such issues the
progress of events in the South will proba-
| bly, throw increased light upon all such
qucstions yet you insist that | shall give
you my views, not for the purpose of fmutu-
al assistance in arriving at solution of a
difficulty, but under notice that the votes OF
your people will be determined for oragainst
mn l,, | th,nI. tb,t IN Il i,,n
you wrong both yourselves and the member,
! of the whole political organization to whicl
we belong, and to which you gave pledge o
! cordial cooperation upon the platform a
adopted, through your delegates who wer,
present at the Convention.
For myself | have no secrets as to my
opinions, and have never hesitatcd to de
/, clare them on proper occasions. So far
have been from desiring to conceal them,
, that had sent, before the receipt of youl
letter, private note to Professor Ellis, o
, your place, indicating my plan for the tna
solution Of the problem of reconstruction
, and seeking his criticism upon it. No re
: strctions were placed upon him in making
+ it known, except such as his own dScretio,
, and friendship might impose. You arr
misinfonncd as to my having requested m.
: views to be published at my home or else
"hSiC' ou hluSb uSb uIoh ypul o"ll lC
t sponSibility in determining what pubicit,
0 you shall give to this. The importance t,
our country of determining rightly the grav
S questions which must probably be settle,
within the coming year, is too great to max
, me willing to omit using whatever infuenc
! or information | may have in assisting a
the solution. Whether in public or in privat
life, shall freely give the results of my eX
. rericnce and observation in the South dur
i ing the war, and the conclusions to whc
i my study of both races has led me. shal
e expect the facts that have been an anti
slavery man from my youth up, that | as
5 sisted at the at the original organization c
$ the Republican party, and acted with it an
l. the Union party ever since, and that hav
T. been federal soldier from the surrender Q
: Sumter to the surrender of the last arme
= rebel, will secure me candid and even
friendly hearing from all who have loved tn
country and earnestly taken its part in tn
late terrible struggle. If other views tina
mine prevail, | shall hold it my duty to ao
checrtully and promptly with the body Q
legal men, believing that the best solutio
able, and that to divide from them will b
to deliver the Government into the hand
. :, of its enemies.
= | believe that the President is earncstl
! determined to seek the good of the who
: country and of all the races in it; that h
. has full claim to that confidence which W
- declared that we reposed in him; and tina
n what we as Union men cannot succeed i
!. doing in harmony and co operation with hir
, and his Administration, we shall fail of dc
:, ing altogether My supl ort of him, ther,
- - fore, will be no half hearted support, but
= Jealous and thoroughly hearty co operation
r with no ulterior purpose or thought Of SCI
;, n aration on issues likely to arise. 1t is b
% the cordial harmony of Mr.. johnson an
h the Union members of Congress that TIL
:, , country is to be carried safely through il
- present perils; and division between thel
~ ~ would place us in imminent danger of shI
, wreck. We may have diverse opinions q
~ to the true solution of this knotty probler
70 70 of reconstruction, and during the propt
"a "a period for discussion we may and ought
~ discuss them with candor; with fullnes
> and with a tolerant spirit, but when this
10 done and the time for action arrives, it wi
a. be the business of Congress and the Exec
N tive to agree upon the plan to be adopte,
m and that which is in this manner honest
40 determined by devotedly Union men, sha
!. believe, as have before said, to be the be
n attainable result, whether it agree with II
-, >" views or not. In short, believe that und
>" M circumstancaS shoulu we risk tho ira N