The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1866-08-07
From the Missouri Democrat.
Henry Winter Davis OH Recon-
StrUCtiOn,

SttUClIUHs
In May last, in response to inquiry, the
Hon. Henry Winter Davis wrote letter
setting forth with his characteristic clear
ness and cogency his views upon the prob
lem of reconstruction. This letter has re-
mained unpublished. The consent Of Mrs.
Davis to the publication having been Oh
tanned, friend at Washington transmits to
us the manuscript, and We have thus the
pleasure of presenting to our readers a
document which strikes us as ranking
among the most mastery expositions of
the subject involved, that has yet appeared
Following is the letter:
BALTIMORE, May 81, 1865.
MY DEAR SIR: Please accept nv ac-
acknowledgements for your kind note.
l wish [ could give you a short and sat
lsfactory answer to your brief and pregnant
question touching our prospects under Pres
ident Johnson.
The future of the nation is summed up
in the restoration of political power TO the
States lately in rebellion.
OF what the Presidents policy is on
that topic | know nothing.
The condi ions OF the problem are plain
and the consequences of the several posi-
bic solutions follow with logical certainty.
1t rests with the President, in the State in
which Congress has left the question, to
take the initiative; and the mode in which
that is done will determine all that follows.
Whatever State governments he allows to
be organized and to elect Representatives
and Senators to Congress will be recog
nlzed by Congress III December, in all
probability.
None exist now in any State which re-
belled; none can be organized legally with
out the assent Of the United States; and
no steps to secure that assent can be taken
without his permission.
The Presidents only power over the
question rests in his right to refuse perrnis-
sion for any convention or election to be
held unless on terms satisfactory to him ::
but that power is decisive If be refuse to
permit any election or convention to be
held, things will await the solution Of
Congress.
II he permits the aggregate white pop
nlatiod of the South, qualified to vote un-
der the old governments abrogated by the
rebellion, to organize State governments.
that installs the revolutionary faction in
power In the States and fills Congress with
Representatives and Senators,
That is to place the sceptre in the hands
from which we have just wrested the sword.
If the President attempt to discriminate
the loyal from the disloyal, and exclude
from voting all who have given all aud
comfort to the rebellion, a mere handful of
the population viii remain, wholly incom-
petent to form or maintain State Gov
ernment, and sure TO be overwhelmed BIZ
the political counter revolution at the next
election, which will restore power to the
leaders of the rebellion. While it stands
under the protection of the United States,
it will constitute an ious oIigarchv, dis
posing of the lives and property Of the
great mass of their fellow-citizens, without
any responsibility, and controlling the ma
tional legislation by the people for whom
they vote.
This result is unavoidable. The whole
mass Of the population of the South has
given aid and comfort To the rebellion.
The war was made by the accession Of the
Union men to the rebel faction. 1t is idle
to talk of a quiesoent mass of loyal men
oyerborne by violence. 1t was the Union
men who passed the ordinance of Secession
in Virginia, and who made it effectual after
1t was passed. In no State was the rebel
hon dangerous without the active aid of
those opposed to secession.
But the United States had no friends in
the rebel States against those States, and
they hare none to-day.
The Union men of the South preferred
Union and peace to disuuion they deploEed