The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1865-09-20
RUTLAND & BURLINGTON RAILROAD.


rPSlucnt SOullSOn fOl1Cy.
AT this time all political issues, if any
other exist, are overshadowed by the one
question Of what policy shall be pursued
in rcconstructing the states lately in re-
hclion. Nothing is more certain than
that the extremely radical view which
would treat them as conquered provinces
and proceed to contiscate the property of
all criminally engaged in the rebellion
will not be approved by even consider
able minority of the Northern people
Whether it shouM be so or not, there is a
growing disposition to accept the univer-
sal devastation and financial ruin of the
section, the utter destruction of slavery
and the attitude of humiliation assumed,
IA sufficient punishment for the crime
The American people are characteristic
lily generous and forgiving. They arc
quick to forget injuries, and with ready
crelulity are ready to accept and tru.
professions. and take men at their word.
Representing this phrase of character
NJ johnson proposes to "try the expert
mont.' lie will accept their professions
of loyalty-which, indeed, are all that
can be asked, from almost every section,
and give them an opportunity to prove
their sincerity. They will have control
of their municipal affairs so far as the ma
ture Of the case will admit, and, if their
practice is as fair as their promis-
IS, it may he expected that they will very
early be endowed with all the privileges
OF states, and it is probable that ALL or
nearly all, will present at the next session
their congressional delegations. There
will almost inevitably be then fierce
wrAngle on the question of their admis-
son, as 1t cannot be expected that they
will, in their elections, regard the restric-
tlou of congress, shutting ont all who
have been implicated in the rebellion.
There is room for serious fear that the
President Is investing the rebels with
privileges that they may use not in con-
slsiency with the general welfare. But
H. La, ayowed his determination to "try
the experiment. and ~e hope that the
cent will prove that his Judgment is
sound. Certainly, nothing could be more
desirable than a speedy resumption
close lraternal relations, if we can be as
snred oi true iratelnal spirit, and
willingness to accept executive grace with
becoming peni.cncc, and in good faith,a
return to duty.
Ii is affirmed by those who profess to
know the Presidents mind that he desires
the abolition Of all class distinctions of
color, and that he will encourage it, but
regards it as beyond his province to make
such condition in any scheme of recon-
slructlon, We have from various points
in tie South advocacy of this doctrine
and some are creduluus enough to believe
that the reconstructing States will very
readily take step in advance OF many OF
the free States in this particular, but it is
Eater to believe that much of this kind of
demonstration is for effect.
Another evidence that Mr.. johnson is
strongly tending TO the side of lenily is
seen in the readiness with which prcmi-
nent rebels obtain permission to expatri-
ate themselves. There is hardly any
reason to expect that any more OF these
will be arrested, if they can be induced
TO go abroad and stay there, and from the
freedom with which pardons are grant
ed there is little reason TO expect that the
government will be very much enriched
by the confscalion Of large estates.
This work Of reconstruction is vast
one, and frought with many possible
perils' That an experimental plan can
lie devised, that will perfectly meet the
the wants OF the case the first time, is
hardly to be especsedy but we will hope
that Do mistake will be nude that cannot
be recovered from.