American citizen. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 1864-1890, 1866-02-15

SohhsOhs R~Gticys
Mr.. Speaker, | have thus far revie we
and discussed, as | understand them, th
leading features Of the domestic policy O
the Executive. The success of som
portions Of this policy remains who'll,
with the future. Upon the leadiu!
measure. however, of restoration of th,
States to Union and harmony, an impor
tant chapter in history has already beer
written. Has it been a success or fail
ure ? l have tried it by the high stand.
ards of right, justice. constitutional law
and precedent submit it now to an.
other test, on which it is bitterly assaiIed
by those who yet claim to be the only
friends of The administration. Those
who perform their duties Of friendship to.
ward the President by malignant deuun.
Citations OF his policy are now engaged in
impressing the public mind with the be
lief that he has accomplished nothing
worthy of acceptance by the people
The gentleman from Pennsylvania Mr.
Stevens) pronounced his plan of restora>
ton impractcable and un enable. He
not only speaks for himself on this point,
but also for everybody else. He says
that every few now consider" the admin.
istraive position tenable one. An ar
rogant Senator in the other end of the
Capitol Pronounces the whole thing a
fraud, white-wasbiDg process, by which
sins and crimes are conuived at and hid
from the public gaze. Adventurous
members of this house have crowded
themselves into the presence of the Ex
ecuive. and with exquisite delicacy as,
sured him that, With their constituencies,
they think his plan Of restoration not
likely to give success to his administra.
ton, and that, after an uninterrupted
trial OF seven months, his, efforts TO reor.
ganize the rebel States and restore then
to the Union must be recognized as a
failure. Then with profuse protestatious
of true friendship they modestly ask him
to step quietly to one side, not to liz
finger Of interference, not to open his lips
in remons;rance. while they smash to
pieces all bis well ordered plans, and kick
to the ground with their vandal feet his
almost completed structure Of Union and
peace. ..
Sir, this class of dissatisfied spirits is to
be found in every land. II is composed
of boding birds Of evil omen. 1t is their
mission to destroy, not to build up. The
borer in The trees of the forest, the worm
in the heart of the flower, the wolf in the
farmers sheepfold, the tiger in the rav'
eler's encampment by night, all pursue
their trade of destruction and mark their
career with ruin. But no useful thing
ever grew from their labors. And like
these beings in the animal world, created
to destroy, so there are unhappy mem
bers Of the human family, who never Be-
held the fair and beautiful creation Of
another's wisdom, without an irresistible
longing to strew the earth with its bro
ken fragments TO them | make no ap>
peal in behalf Of that policy which has
cleared away the wreck of gigantic fra
ternaI war. laid anew the foundations OF
Government throughout an extent OF
country more vast than the most power
fal kingdoms of Europe, revived CONT
dence and hope in the breasts of a des-
pairing people, and won for its author
the respect and admiration Of the civilized
nations of both hemispheres.
make my appeal to the disinterested,
impartial, and enlightened masses of the
country, without regard to the lines oi
party distinction. They have witnessed
the patient labors of the President, and
since this Congress convened they have
beheld their grand fulfllment. Those
wandering stars from the azure field OF
the flag, those discontented Pleisdes that
shot madly from their spheres, have one
by one reillumined their rays at lhegreat
center of light and of glory. The whole
land wept when the beautiful s'sterhood
was broken. The wall Of ihe heart-bro-
ken over the pallid face OF the beloved
and untimely dead, is not more full oi
anguish than were the hearts OF those
Who love their felloW-mAn when many ol