Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-12-06
THE PRESIDENTS PLAN.

In the criticisms upon the policy Of The
Administration toward the unoFEanized
States there has been often u tone OF eensure
as II 1t Were too hasty and would commit he
Government to an action which the country
would not approve. Ii was urged, also,
| that the President ought to assemble Con-
gress to consider the question OF reorcaniza-
ton.
But we have always endeavored 10 show
what Is now proved, that the course OF he
President was tentative and not final 1t
was, as General Logan justly defined il, an
experiment. L he country Is committed 70
nothing. 1he first cardinal point which
was to be assertalned with the real DISPOSE
ton ct The dominant class in herebel States
Upon that everything depended Was it
trustworthy? Was it such that the hand
OF the United States could he soon and en-
tirely Withdrawn?
The President has never said TO the peo-
pie IN the unorganized States whom he SUM
moned to act, DO this and that, and then
the States will be restored as before. He
has merely said and repeated: Certain
things are obviously necessary many recon
strIctlon. Now, then, let us see what you
propose. Ii he had said. after the Surren-
der of the rebel armies, Now do so and 30,
and you shall be as you were" there would
have been no discretion Those ~ whom
he appealed would have COMPLIED categori-
caliy with the conditions. The Representa-
tIves would have come to Congress. The
foolish advice OF Withdrawing all the nation
al forces would have prevailed, and the late
rebel States would have been restored TO
their full relations In the Union before the
disposition Of the people in then was known.
Now by the course of the President this
ftl- L. IL Il
a familiar phrase, be has given the late rsb-
els rope. The consequence was, that those
10 whom his proclamations appealed at the
South showed exactly what they thought
aud hoped, and the Democrat party at the
North, supposing that the late rebels were
to return upon their own terms, opened IN
full cry for what they called the President
paiicy. That policy, as now appears. was
supply an experiment to ascertain If the
late insurgents could be trusted aud the
result Is before the country.
So, also. if the President had called Con
greSs together In an extra session to prescribe
conditions. Congress itself could not have
acted inteligently But now, when it meets
IN DECEMBER, 1t understands exactly the
spirit with which it has todeal That Spir-
1t IS hostility to the Union and to all who
have been faithful 10 it. What the Raleigh
I1rogress says of North Carolina is undoubt-
edly true of the entire insurgent section:
The Vance and Davis leaders fused ard
marshaled their forces agains: Governor
Holden, as they would against any other
man who had denounced Il e war and the
Confederate leaders, and renee the large
vote against th IN. Ii Governor Holden is
beaten, the same men who have done IL
would vote for jefferson Davis or Zebulon
Is. Vance arainst Andrew johnson. There
must be great change Of heart in North |
Caro ina before Andrew johnson. as can
itate for the Presidency, can carry it against /
any prominent leader in the rebellion who |
may oppose him We feel confident that it |
; but too true that majority prefer TO vote /
or rebel hero 10 an ultra, unconditional |
Union man. These things are unpleasant |
% those of us who want civil law aud place |
n the Union, but Us they are true We owe /
/ to ourselves to state them. The whole /
people were very Loyalty disposed, appar-
,ntly, in May and June, when the bristing
,ayonets Of many battaions gave them gen.
lie and consant reminders of the necessity
IT good behavior but as the pressure was
the disaaected became more and
more insolenc, until now men, women. and
hildren, on Bonded knees, are imploring
Andrew johnson to restore them the:r Gar
ing pet, Jefferson Davis These infatua-
ions may be sweet and pleasurahle now,
;ut if We mistake not they will become ter
IDLY bitter before the March winds shall
laye ceased their requiems. We regret to
peak thus, but wide spread and increasing
isaffection compels us to do it. The sup
'orters of Wade Hampton and Mr. Worth
re the enemies of Andrew johnson, aud
nil be as long as he is the enemy Of treason
nd foe to traitors; and whent the time comes
hen they can strike him blow they viii
o it, -
The course of the Administration, in pa
ently permitting the real spirit OF the late
ebels to display itself, will. upon reflection,
OF be condemned by any truly loyal man.