Baltimore daily commercial. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1865-1867, 1865-11-02
SYMPTOMS OF RETURNING HARMONY.

more in the conviction that, the one great root
of bitterness having been deracinated, the re-
naming questions at issue between parties in
this country are such as time and frank dis
cussion will peaceably settle. The extreme
Radicals, who have been assailing with their
usual asperity the reconstruction policy OF
President johnson, are now divided among
themselves, and some of the most influential
of them have manfully come out in vindication
Of the honesty of his intentions and the wisdom
of his course.
One of these witnesses, Major George il.
Stearns, of Boston, is a gentleman of wealth,
who has been long identified with the extreme
anti-slavery agitators, and who represents the
most advanced wing Of that party. Having
become personally acquainted with Mr.. John
son at Nashville, he availed himself recently oil
the fact to call on the President at Washing
ton, and was admitted to a frank and unre-
stricted conversation, which, by the Presi-
dents permission, he has reported. With
this conversation Major Stearns expresses
himself satisfied. He believes that President
Johnson Is actuated by the purest motives, and
that he desires to do entire justice both to-
wards the whites and the blacks at the South.
In reference to neither, however, does he
mean to be precipitated i'll his action.
We have a still more important witness as
to the Presidents policy in the Rev. Henry
Ward Beecher, who, from his pulpit on Sun
day evening, 22d ult., declared that 1--WE have
never had a man in the Presidential chair
who has proven himself more wise in the solu-
ton of questions brought to him than Presi-
dent Johnson Mr.. Beecher expressed him
self as follows, in language, the moderation
and sagacity of which are equally to be COM
mended -
'In regard to the President, our President, the
country's President, | think he believes that all
measures for the relief of the blacks must have the
cordial support and countenance of the South. We
here cannot aid thcm they are ut arms length and
1t is not wise for the central General Government to
attempt to regulate their affairs. The laws and in
tereStS of the Government and of ourselves will
to the white men of the South. Oaths and obliga-
tons won't help the matter and if President john
son is waiting for the adoption of these plans by the
people OF the South he is acting with characteristic
prudence and Sagacity."
For these words Mr.. Beecher will be severe
ly assailed by those who recently regarded him
as their leading man; but his courage is all the
more to be admired. While his late associates
are whining and lamcnting, and predicting all
manner of evils to the Republic, he takes "A
hcalthful view of the situation, believes i'll the
sincerity of the people Of the South in accept
ing the extinction Of slavery as u iinality, and
has faith in that sense Of justice which, now
that an unrightcous institution is overthrown.
will lead all good men to do what they can to
elevate all classes of the community; well
aware that any legislation that would withhold
from any one class the means of culture, en-
lightenment, and advancement, according to
their ability would be unchristian, cowardly
and impolitic.
Still another witness in the person of Mr..
Seward has come forward to assure the peo-
pie that they may trust the President in the
initiation Of those important measures tending
TO the reconstruction of the States lately in re-
bellion.
These signs of the times are important, as
showing that sincere men of all parties-Dem-
ocrats as well as Republicans-discern in the
wary and tentative policy of President John
p'li pPiiAl lIllI loohS SlilSiy w
and welfare of the Republic The South may
take heart and see the way open to a cordia
and permanent reunion, when they recognize
that men who held extreme views in regard tC
slavery, now that it is abolished, have no othel
wish than to find out in all honesty an(
candor, what policy is best fitted tc
satisfy the honor, and to promote the prosper
ity and well being of all the inhabitants of the
South. Let but this conviction reach the hearts
and reasons of the Southern people, land We
believe that such utterances as Mr.. Beechel
has put forth will do much to accelerate thi,
desirable end, and we shall see all animosities
dissipated like hoar frost before an April sun
and new era Of fraternity and patriotic conf
dence inaugurated.
Already at the North we have the evidence
that the important testimonials to which VIC
have referred, are doing much to remove all
dlstrust in reference to the policy and inten.
tons of President johnson. Even the Radi-
cals-such of them at least as are not mere
polltlcians-are now disposed to do justice to
his sagacity, his moderation, and his desire to
deal fairly, not only by men of his own race
and color, but by all Gods intelligent crea-
lures.