Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1866-01-04
LCorrespondonce Chlcnro rrIhnne.l

In my last letter | made allusion to tn
: fact that certain Western members of Con
Q gress had had interviews with the Presden
, since the passage Mr. Wilson's resolution
, during which the subject of reconstructio,
was freely discussed, and that their imprcs
sions as to his future course had not beef
very favorable. | confined myself to thi
} general statement, as did not at the tim,
F ieel at liberty to go into particulars. an
now permitted to give the subioined fill
version OF what took place on the stated oc
casion.
Mr.. Wilson, with whom frank. straight
forward action III all things is leading
characteristic, had been anxious for some
time to have an early, free and full exchange
OF opinion with the President relative to re-
construction. lie desiredto express his owl
views upon the policy pursued BY the gov.
ernment toward the rebel States which h,
knew to be identical with those of the ma.
jority Of the House, with the utmost frank.
ness to the Executive, and if possible, elici,
from him clear definition ofthe line of ac.
ton he meant to pursue toward Congress
whether he meant to recognize the right of
Congress TO determine upon the mode OF
reorganization and restoring the rebel State.
to the Union according to the views Of the
majority OF both Houses, or whether his
purpose was to bring the influence Of patron.
age, and other agencies at his command, to
bear IN order to secure an Endorsement and
adoption OF his own plan of reconstruction.
The passage Of Mr.. Wilson's resolution
by vote thoroughly testing the sense O,
the great majority of the House upon the
Presidents, Southern policy, on Thursday
last, furnis he'd proper occasion for the
mutual explanation he desired, and hence
he sought the White House in company
with his colleague, Mr. Price, on the eve
ming Of the same day The President re.
ceived his visitors very cordially, and, upon
an Introductory remark Of Mr.. Wilson, an
nouncing the object of their call, invited
them to anunreserved expression of opnions
and suggestions. Thereupon Mr.. Wilson
proceeded to say substantially as follows
Mr. President, you have, no doubt, been
informed Of the resolution | offered to-day
in the House and Of the vote upon it. In
explanation of it, wish to say, that neither
myself nor the rest of the majority voting
for it, are disposed to make any distinction
between Tennessee and the other States.
lately engaged in rebellion, in our prelim-
mary examination into their respective
claims to representation in Congress. At
the same time, the joint Committee of Fif
teen may, and probably will, extend to the
former State priority Of consideration by
taking up and disposing Of its case first,
ana to this the majority will not oppose.
Passing from this special, to the general
subject OF reconstruction at large, Mr. vii.
son continued: II am aware that there
are men in Congress, styling themselves
conservatives, tthatclaim to be your friends
per excellence. Now, | do not hesitate to
avow that am what is commonly called a
'Kadcal | contributed, in my humble
way, all | could to the success of the party
that placed you in power. Hence | claim
the right to call myself the friend of your
administration. Myself and those acting
with me in Congress are all friendly to itand
desire It's entire success. But we think
ana with us our constituencies, that by your
plan OF reconstruction that result is not like
y to be attained. We hold, at the same
timc, that there is one way in which it could
be reached, IN our opinion, your efforts to
reorganize the rebel States and restore them
TO- the Union, after an uninterrupted trial
OF some seven months, have not proved sue
cessiul to the extent required to insure the
future peace, safety, and prosperity of the
country. Congress, in pursuance Of what it !
considers Its solemn duty, now proposes, |
after due investigation ofthe whole subject,
to devise, if possible, some better plan ofrc,
organization and restoration. The plan
Congress will probably adopt will be to sub
mt such amendments to the Constitution AS
Will, If accepted by the State Legislatures,
furnish ample guarantees for the future. -
me majority Of Congress expect and ask
that, while engaged in investigating the
whole subject of reconstruction, and dcvisinr
some new plan, it may be lcit free to act as
1t may deem best, and that no attempt be
made ny the Executive to interfere with
and influence Its action by the distribution
of patronage, or in any other way If thus
left free by you, there can be no possible dit.
ilculty between the executive and legislative
branches of the government. But if you
are disposed to interfere with Congress, by |
patronage or otherwise, and force your ne
cullar IDEAS and plans upon Congress and
the country, you will meet with serious on |
position by those that are now the friends of
your administration, and desire sincerely TO
make It successful. The plan Congress will
probably adopt will not render it necessary
ior you to surrender any Of your own views
IN relation to reconstruction, inaSmuch as
underline Constitution Of the United States,
you cannot be asked to approve the rcSolu-
tons of Congress submitting certain amend
ments to the Constitution. You will not
be responsible tor our action, but we will be
responsible for it to our constituents, who
will be called upon to determine upon the
merits OF our plan otreconstruction. Hence
there will be no occasion for serious differ
ences between the Executive and Congress,
It each branch of the government simply
leaves the other to do what it considers its
duty. And let me add this: the so called
Conservatives Of Congress, the men that
claim to be your exclusive friends 20 with
you to-day because they think it is to their
advantage to do so but they will oppose
you tomorrow, if they shall find that it is to
Their disadvantage to support you You
will find in the end that the men who differ
rom you to-day from sincere convictions,
and honest patriotic motives, are much more
reliable and trustworthy friends than these
.ime-servers.
The resident in reply, stated that he
was anxious to avoid division among the
friends OF his administration in Congress-;
hat he would regret to see any difficulties
arise between them and the executive. lie
hen proceeded to review Mt length his
policy of reconstruction, reiterating the
points IN support of it made in his publish.
ed speeches, and more lately in his message;
but said nothing that could be construed in
to an admission of its failure. On the con
Irary, he seemed to bo fully persuaded of