Smyrna times., 1866-01-24
MIS- ELL y EO L s.
John Bell, Of Tennessee.

John Bell has broken his long silence on po-
llticAl subjects by writing series OF public let
terS upon national politics. Those who know
the character of Mr.. Bell : mind, as displayed
during his long public career, will find these
letters to he precisely what they might have
anticipated, considering his fortunes and mis-
fortunes during the past FIVE years. They are
IN ,dcratc in tone and deSpUndent IN spirit
They counsel prompt submission to necessity,
urge cumpliance with the Presidents require
mcnts aud support of his policy, and give forth
warning against the designs of those whom
h.. ie5ignatc> as radicals For a long time past
Mr. Bell has not been 1t all Sanguihe> Of the
Duration of our system of constitutional liberty,
sud SincS the close of the late war he is even
l.>S hopeful than before. After informing Us
OF this, be discusses various matters of eSpe-
eia interest in the Southern States, such a.
the evils Of the existing military rule. the de-
elsnsion of Mississippi to adopt the second
clause Of the anti-saveFy amendment and so
frh. As to his IDEAS upon national QueS-
tons, We may SUN up all he says in the re-
mark that he favOrS loyal action ON the part of
the people of the South, tenperate action on
the part of the government, and reitcrateS his
opinion Is to the Importance of sustaining the
PRESIDENT. Why" he asks. should the
people Of the South hesitate to acesdc to any
H'quS;i1n nr suggestion. implying no di>hnn-
,r coming from such friend to their interest
AID welfare as President johnson could show
himself to be, consistently with his sense of
what is due to his situation as Chief Masls-
trate AMI guardian Of government that has
been recently compelled to defend itself
against formidable and fearful rebellion, at
All immense cost both Of blood and treasure?
Aud Mr. Bell further asks: What man Of
any experience or observation in affairs OF gov
government does not know and acknowledge
that President may be compelled, by sound
Inllcy, to make to powerful opposition con
ce>SiOns, as qualifications Of his own favOritC
plans and policy, which his individual judH
Alent may not dictate or approve?'
OF course Mr.. Bell discOurses upon the negrC
question On the subject Of negro suffrage, h,
says the President holds that the regulation o
that matter rests solely with the several States
but doubtless he would be gratifed by
prompt aud liberal exercise OF that power b
their legislatures or conventions, IN fOrmln
their constitutions, aS such u course would ten
tv satisfy the North that the South are not dl;
posed To act ilibcrally or unJu"tiy by the colo
r.l population. Mr. Bell further thinks tn;
If = ,.0nred man owned freehold OF $3.50 All
pI.sessel the ability to read aud write, it wOul
not BE-. dangerous TO ailnw him to vote. b.
h. is very hopeless as to the future Ot the A
rrAn race on this continent, and thinks tn
= wi.m all Is done that can b" dome % mitiga
the condition Of the African rlJc IN the S"ut
il il melancholy to reflect that Slnall renlna
only will survive the present generation. "
are not inclined - sgrce entirely with thls IL
reflection VI Mr. Bell; but, 1t the same TIM
We dD not believe that the next census "
show ~ many negroes in the United states
date that rs existed at the date OF the last &C
sus.-N. J. Times.