The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-11-17
.O7, with an average cost per mile Of SCI 9l7-
so. which can be rs easily raised as Sl5O, 900
ten years ago. =, .f,. ,.,l.4,, 4. . a...4,.
THE PRESIDENTS POLICY

The plan Of reconstruction, adopted BY the
President. is not working as smoothly as the
rebels and copperheads anticipated 1t would.
With the idea that the leniency shown BY the
Executive to the ex.rebel States meant topsy-
turvey tumble directly into the Union and the
arms of the Democratic party, with their pow
or restored, the secesh have been taking airs
not healthy to their corporal systems. They
do not seem to understand that the pressure
to which SEQ. Seward referred in his Auburn
speech, meant that the reorganized political
condition Of the Southern States must bc nc
ceptable to tho Government. The Mississippi
and South Carolina Conventions have adjourned
without repudating the rebel debt or ratifying
the Amendment. Georgia, after sharp warn
ing FROM the President, did what it should have
done voluntarily. A big reminder Of what
they must do, is kept before them in On order
from Head Quarters to the Provisional Govern,
ors Of those States, ordering them 10 continue
10 erereise their official duties until specially re-
iieped. Here is the reply Of the President to
the delegation Of North Carolinians, who wait
cd upon him, asking that at an early moment
the State government should bc allowed to be
put in operation: ....'..'..'.... ..i
Hon. Mr.. Readc IL receive from you with
pleasure copy Of the Proceedings OF the Con.
vention of North Carolina. reciprOcate cor.
daily the conciiiatory spirit in which you have
addressed me. The Convention of North Car
olina has done much and we'll toward restoring
that State to her proper national relations, but
something yet remains to be done to render that
restoration Immediately practicable. An ac-
ceptation Of the Constitutional Amendment
sbolishing slavery throughout the United States
yby the Legislature Of North Carolina, is, in
my judgment, practically important to the sue
cessful restoration which Is 10 much desired by
all. Without answering specifically the ques-
tions you have proposed to me, 1t will bo suf6
cent to say that my action must depend upon
events, and that Mr.. Holden will be again in.
structed to continue the exercise Of his func.
tions as Provisional Governor until. he shall
have been expressly relieved by orders to that
effect. @
The following, addressed by Sec. Seward to
Gov. Perry Of South Carolina, is sufficiently
explicit in regard to what is deemed "peculiar.
iy important" by the Administration:
Your letter Of the 4th Is just now received.
While much has been done in South Carolina
that is conducive to peace and restoration, the
President still thinks it is impossible to antici.
pate events. He expects, therefore, you will
continue to exercise the duties heretofore de.
vovcd upon you ns Provisional Governor OF
South Carolina, until you shall be relieved by
his order. He observes with regret that nei-
ther the State Convention nor the Legislature
has pronounced the debts and obligations con.
tracted in the name Of the State for unconsti-
tutional and even rebellious purposes, to be
void. He equally regrets that the State seems
to decline the Congressional amendment OF the
Constitution of the United States abolishing
slavery. telegraphed to you yesterday as fol.
lows 40 HtN.f 400
"The President directs me to write to You
that an early adoption Of the Congressional
amendment Of the Consultation OF the United
States abolishing slavery, by the South Carroll.
M Legislature, is deemed peculiarly important,
and especially desirable with reference to the
general situation Of the Union"
have now only to say that the Presidents
opinions before expressed remain unchanged.
.s. VIII. SEWARD.