The Van Buren press., 1866-07-28
sBUREN, ARK July 18th, 1866.
To Messfs. A.J. WARD and others:

Gentlemen lin reply to your note OF
yesterday, | have to say that | have al
ways been conservative in politics and
am especially so in regard to the momentous
issues alluded to in your communication, and
am. therefore, surprised that any miSappre-
hension should prevail in reference to my
opinions. and having no motives for conceal
ment, | have no hesitation, whatever in re-
spending franklyFto your several interroga-
tories.
In reply. then, to your first interrogatory
would say that | cordially approve President
JohnsOn's reconstruction policy as the best
and. indeed, the only policy likely to restore
the Southern States to their rights as States in
the Union. This policy recognizes the right
of these States to representation in Congress,
without exacting from them degrading con-
ditions. In a word. the President thinks that
when the Southern States send loyal represen-
tatives to Congress, they ought to be admitted
to their seats. ut once, subject only to the spe-
cific tests required by the Constitution, and in
this think he ought to have received the
support of Congress.
In reply to your second interrogatOry
would say that Iapprove of both vetoes. and
am prepared to approve more Of the same
sort. Both measures were based on errone-
Gus and mistaken ideas of the character of our
people. The Southern people will deal just
ly by the negro, and it requires no Freedmans
Bureau or Civil Rights bill to induce them to
do so. As a general rule our people will be
found to be better friends to the negro than
government officials and employees of the
Freedmans Bureau, whose influence has but
too often been exerted to produce antagonism
and bad feeling between the white people and
their former slaves.
In reply to your third interrogatory, /
would say that AM entirely opposed to the
Constitutional amendments proposed by the
reconstruction committees and, indeed. to any
further tinkering with the Constitution, at this
time. The times are not propitiOus. and the
men who WELD power in Congress are not the
men to interpolate the Constitution with their
party dogmas. SO much Of the proposed
amendments as repudates the rebel debt, and
pledges the faith of the nation for the pay
ment of the debt of the United States. is un.
Objectionable, but quite unnecessary. With
these provisions are combined others: one for
the disfranchisempnt of large portion of the
Southern people, embracing most of the pub
lie men of the Southern States and that other
odious provision intended to force negro suf-
rage and negro equality upon the Southern
States, and which coolly invites them to
become the instruments Of their own debase-
ment. To such amendments | am unaterably
opposed. and recommend the rejection of the
whole batch"
The radical disunionists in Congress could
not have expected the Southern States to ac-
cept these amendments. They seem really
not to desire restoration of the Union, for
they have labored assduously to prevent it.
For the last seven months they have toiled
day and night to force negro suffrage upon
thn hnr Gt,tn Al, !
have uniformly opposed the patriotic efforts
of the President to restore these States to their
rights in the Union.
In reply to your fourth interrogatory.
would <y that am opposed to negro suffrage.
The negro is now free 1t is so written in the
Constitution; and am in favor of treating
him with kindnesSand humanity. Justice and
sound policy require this. Let him, then. be
protected and treated as free man, but not
admitted to the right of suffrage. / am one
of those who hold that this is, and ought to
remain, white mans government.
In reply to- yourfitth interrOgatory. | would
say that am In favor ofthe proposed Nation
al Convention to be held at PHILADELPHIA on
the l4th of August next. 1t is to be compos
ed of Conservative National Union men, ear
nest supporters Of the President in his recon
struction policy. and opposed to the radical
rcVolutlonlsts IN Congress. They will perfect
an organization, if possible. irrespective of
present party affiliations. whose labors will be
directed to the overthrow Of the radical de-
structives in Congress, the restoration of the
Union, and the administration Of the Govern
ment on Constitutional basis; and unless
this can be done there is no prospect for per-
fectly restored Union, for years to come. The
radical faction are more intent on perpetual
ing party ascendency. than anxious TO pro-
mote harmony and good feeling among the
people. Whatever they do or say seems to be
imbucd with vindlctive and intoerant spir-
it. They seem to be governed by party
dogmas and political distractions. and appcar
incapable of rising to a just comprehension OF
the great questions which the times have for
ccd udon the country. From such a concern
good Lord deliver u.s.
In reply to your sixth interrogatory would
say that am notn favor of the present binl
rate of State tlXation. The people cannot
well bear it, and it ought to be reduced at the
earliest day possible.
Having hurriedly answered your several
heterogeneous with brief comments. which
hope will be satisfactory, Iremain
lOur Obcdipnt sprv,nt