North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1865-06-14
The soldiers Against the Radicals,

OI ETRSlueuS ~VnoSU1s AnC
point of attack selected 10 his position upon
the reconstruction and negro suffrage ques.
ton. Chief Justice Chase has abandoned
his duties and 10 addressing mixed audiences
of whites and blacks in the Southern States
upon this theme. Senator Sumner i'm con-
tdbuting, as his share of the work, orations
and letters. Wendell Phillips is openly de-
claring that strife and reputation are prefer.
able to such settlement Of the difficulties
as 10 presented in the Presidents North
Carolina proclamstian. The organs of the
Radical party, from the Anti Slavery STAN
dard down to the smallest hound that runs
in the pack, are open, fierce and bitter in
their denunciation of the President on this
point, and are exhibiting the purposes and
extent of the conspiracy in such colors as to
leave no room for doubt or misapprehension.
One Of the agencies by which this class of
men hope to effect their purpose of capturing
the President, and holding him while they
dictate terms upon the reconstruction and
negro suffrage question, is the next Congress.
That is at presen supposed to be largely ul-
ira. Two thirds of tho members of both
branches Of the National Legislature were
swept into place by the same stream which
is now sought to be turned against the ad-
ministration of President johnson. Chase
and Sumner. and their brother consprators
against the peace and harmony of the nation
at this critical period, hope to manipulate the
national representatives of their party by
means of home influences, and thus control
their votes and menace the President by
threats of opposition to his admniStration.--
But il 10 not 90 certain that this can DO ac-
complishs1 even if the Ati.Slavery League Of
Boston heads the movement. The war 10
over, contracts end Offices connected with
the army and navy are no longer potent
means OF reaching the venal and the unprin-
cipled, provost marshals and bastiles NO lon.
ger close mems mouths by bullets or manar
cles. Free speech is IN the process of rssto.
ration. congressman have home feeling to
consult now. Public opinion is recovering
its force. The whole country is no longer at
Washington. Each State and county and
township has again sprung into life and
hence the representative Of each locality will
note carefully the feelings of his constituency
before entering into a conspiracy against such
policy as that enunoiated by the President.
They will probably care more to represent
the wishes and sentiments Of their constitu
snts, than to CRAFTY the ambition or heal the
wounded pride of such ultra conspirators as
those led by Chase, Sumner, Phillips, and
their followers.
1t is certain that the voice and influence Of
che soldiers who have faced tho dangers, and
endured the sufferings of the recent struggle,
will be in favor of the reconstruction pro-
gramme of President johnson, and in oppo-
sition to the conspiracy Of the Iadlcals.-
This was demonstrated at meeting recent
ly held in New York, called for the ostens-
Bile purpose Of endorsing the administration
of President johnson. Just before the
meeting commenced, person distributed
circular among the audience addressed to
Friends of Humanity and Justice" II
contained an elaborate attack on President
johnson, and in favor Of suffrage for negroes.
It was evidently of the extreme radical stripe
1t also seemed evident that some of the prime
movers of the meeting intended that the
meeting should really take the form of an
asscmblage in favor Of negroes voting, the
guise of approval of President Johnsons ad-
ministraIlon only being the apparent motive
in order to get the people together. The
opportune arrival of Generals Grant, Logan
and Blair, however, fortunately shut off
nearly all the political rhodomontade that
had been prepared for the occasion, and the
audience throughout refused to listen to any
political speakers while there was a general
on the stage. Some of the speeches also, of
the soldiers, are worth noticing as showing
that the conspirators can hope nothing from
them in their scheme for operating upon
members of Congress in opposition to the
policy of President johnson on reconstruc.
tion and negro suffrage. In the course of a
few remarks made by Major General Frank
P, Blair, be distinctly endorsed the position
of the President, and thus repudiated the
conspirators. He said "The only notable
thing that has fallen under my observation
since Andrew johnson assumed the reigns of
power in this country has been his seve raj
proclamations in regard to the reconstruction
of the Union, as it is called. and, perhaps,
that portion of bis proc lamation, which is
devoted to suffrage in the rebellious States.
Well, have not heard much exception taken
to that. nor to any part Of his programme.
indeed, my friends. the principles upon
which his proclamation is founded were the
principles upon which he was elected; and
in all that has been announced in those proc,
lamations most heartily cOncur.'; II 10
thus evident that the conspiracy has not