The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1865-12-13

VIC Ihiuuie states are leu our IN tue cofur anu
we must submit to be ground between the
upper and neither mlllstones of radicalism-
-------------------------
shall We Have Restoration or Destrue-
tions
The developments in Congress, and the at
tack upon the Presidents policy by the entire
republican force in the lower house, have
created a new interest in the sayings and
doings Of the leaders in that party prior TO
the fall elections. We therefore republish this
morning the speeches delivered by Secretary
Seward and Thaddeus Stevens during the
political campaign. The former addressed his
friends at Auburn about the middle Of October,
at the time when 1t was considered that it
would affect the result of the State elections
more than at any other. II is fair to presume
that this was the real object that prompted the
speech; while, on the other hand, the speech OF
Mr.. Stevens was delivered before his own
friends and neighbors at Lancaster, Pennsyl-
vania, carly in September, to arouse them for
the approaching election in that State in Octo-
Der. They were, as it will be seen. both enun-
ciated at their own homes, and before their
immediate friends and neighbors, upon occa-
sions and under circumstances that would
naturally lead TO the expression Of their
honest sentiments in reference to the great and
vital question of the day. 1t is not to be sup
posed that either, at his time of life, would
endanger his reputation by trying to deceive
his own friends. There is, however, marked
difference in the views of these men on the
question of restoration. A careful perusal of
the speeches Of both must lead every person
to the consideration OF the question, shall We
have reconciliation OF the South or destruc-
ton?
II must be apparent to all observers Of po-
litical events in this country since the collapse
of the rebellion that there arc two factions in
the republican party, each maintaining positive
views in regard to the treatment OF the States
recently in rebellion. Secretary Seward and
Thnd Stevens are the recognized leaders OF
these facti0ns--one in the Cabinet and the
other on the floor Of Congress. In this view,
their utterances prior to the State elections
were Of no ordinary public Importance. TAX
ing, as they did, the announced policy Of
President Johnson as the basis of their ar
guments, they presented the form which
the contest would take over its endorse
ment Immediately upon the assembling
OF Congress. The public were, therefore,
deeply Interested in knowing which Of the
two factions would control and shape the legis-
lation in that body. Stevens, az the leader OF
the radical faction, proclaimed war 10 the
knife upon the plan laid down by Andy john
son for the readjustmcnt Of the Southern States.
His speech teemed with denunciation through
out, and the whole burden of his utterances
was confscation and the application of the
scverest penalties known to the laws of war in
the treatment of conquered alien enemies
Upon this platform he appealed to his friends
to rally to his support and that that should be
his motto Seward, on the other hand, enun-
ciating his views month later, took special
pains to prove that such a treatment of the
South would lead to the subversion of the South
ern States and prolong anarchy. In this con-
nection he declared that we must accept recon-
Citation or institute new civil war, after one
had ended with the complete attainment Of the
lawful object for which 1t was waged. This
Congress and the President had no right to do
Therefore restoration, and that upon basis
which the South could accept, was the only
course that could be pursued, as well as the
necessity Of the hour. Here, then, was divid-
ing line in the party as distinct and plain, not
only in application, but in results, as that which
divided the copperhead and republican parties
during the war.
A few weeks have passed away since those
speeches were made, Congress has assembled,
and the two modes of settling our domestic
affairs have been put to the test in that body.
Stevens, adhering to his revolutionary. and
bloodthirsty doctrines, has taken possession Of
the House of Representatives and marshalled
the entire republican side in his support.
He has taken with him the personal and pro-
fessed friends Of Seward, and, with his army
thus formed, presented an unbroken front
against the Executive Of the nation, whose
policy the Secretary pretended to support and
defend prior to the election. Are we TO infer
from this that the Premier in the Cabinet Is
playing double with the Executive! Does he
utter false words and use a fattering tongue
towards the President at Auburn only to better
carry out his intrigues and undermine him at
Washington? Alter all, must we take his speech
as deception upon his friends and neighborss
How else can we reconcile the fact that Ray
mond, his avowed special friend, as well
as the Representative from his own district,
are found ut the side Of Thad Stevens,
aiding in marshalling the forces against the
policy Of reconciliation and restoration marked
out by the President, and approved by Seward
in his Auburn speech Their action was TOO de-
liberate to accept as accidental, or even to
claim that 1t was done without consultation
with the head Of the State Department Where,
then. is Mr.. Seward to-day! Is he for or
against the reorganization policy Of Andrew
Johnsons His public utterances favored that
plan, but the direct influence Of his friends at