The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-09-10

But this sudden CONSERVATION and this late dis.
covery OF the nature of my opinions seem suff
ceutly surprising. could not ask better ser
wee than The reprintine OF that sermon OF last
October which first brought upon me the crit-
cisms of the Tribune and Independew.
! foresaw that, in the probable condition OF
parties and the country, we could no. carry sul-
iTage toT the freedmen by immediate political
action. When the ablest and most radical Con.
grpss of our history came together they refused
to give suffrage 10 negroes, even in the District
OF Columbia; and only IN an indirect way-not
as political right. but as the hoped-tor result
OF political selfshness, did they provide for IL
by an amendment TO the Constitution. What
was prophecy with me, Congress has made his
tory. Rel'nquishing political instruments for
gaining the full enfranchisement of men, in
stantly turned 10 moral means; and enunciatIng
the broadest doctrine of manhood suffrage, |
gave the widest latitude to that, advocat ng the
rights OF black and white, of men and women
10 the vote. III any man has labored more
openly, on q broader principle, and with more
asslduity, 10 not know him. More ability may
have been shown, but not more directncss of
pnl pose or undertaking consistency.
] attribute the recent misunderstanding, in
IGrt, to the greater excitement which now
exists, in the narrowlng OF the issues and to the
extreme eNacerbatiOn which Mr. Jonnson's eX
traordinary and injudlcious speeches nave pro-
duced. To this may be added my known indis.
position TO JON in criticism upon the President
and the fact that urged modified form OF that
p"lcy which he, unfortunately for its success,
holds.
Upon Mr.Johnson's accession, ] was supremely
impressed with the conviction that the whole
problem OF reconstruction would practically
pINot On the harmony OF MIR. johnson and Con-
gTess. With that We could have secured every
guarantee and every amendment of the Consti-
tuition. Had a united Government said TO the
South, promptly backed up as 1t would have
been by the North, With slavery we must take
our of the Constitution whatever slavery put in
and put in what slavery for its own support LEFT
ont" there can scarcely be doubt that long
before this the question would have been set
tied, the basis of representation in the South
cuLiormed 20 that IN Che North, and the prinC-
pie, thC most fundamental and important OF all
mi ht have beeG established in the Constltu-
T., II, viz, that manhood and full citizenship are
identical.
such great changes required two things viz;
Dru mptness aud unity of COunsClS. To secure
these ! bent my whole strength. ! urged the
puIaation of the Constitution. | reasoned
az ainst mutual distrust, and plead for unity of
governmental action. | did all that ] knew
how 10 do TO conhrn the President in his war
bee often zeal against slavery; 10 prevent such
Suspicious and examinations as would tend TO
revive III his mind old prejudices, and bring on
a relapse INTO his former haired o! Northern
fanatics. thought understood his nature and
the extreme dangers at such critical time, o.
irritating proud, sensitive, pugnacous man, OF
Southern svmpathles, little in sympathy with
Northern feelings or ideas, and brOuGht into
tht very leadership of those men and that train
of principles which he had alt his life hated and
denounced. That he was sincere and tenacious
would make the case all the more difficult. /
thOuoht tOresaw that division between him
ana Congress would be the worst disaster that
could betall US; that the practlcsl test of true
craftsmanship Just then was not to he found in
theories OF PHILOSOPHERS, however sound, but in
securing and confirming Dir. Johnsonin his then
dispositions.
Upon the assembling of CONGRESS | went to
Washington. l found Southern men lying pros.
trate before Mr.. johnson and appealing to mis-
tender hCartCdness-fO he is a man OF kind and
tender Notwithstanding his war rage by utter
submission.
found Northern men already uttering suspi-
cions OF his fidelity, and. conscious oil power,
threatening impeachment. The men who
seemed alive to this danger were, unfortunately,
NOT those who had the management of affairs.
Bad CCuusels prevailed. The North denounced
and the South sued; VIC see the consequences.
Long after ] despaireo of seeing the President
and Congress harmonious / felt IL to be the
duty OF all good men TO leave no influences un
tried TO lessen the danger and to diminish the
evils which are sure 20 come, should the PresI-
dent, rebolndine from the Republicans, be
caught by those men who were in sympathy and
counsel with the South throughout the war
shall not attempt 10 aDp0rtOn blame where
both sides erred. lt is enough to say that unity
secured a. the seat OF government would nave
been noble achievement oi leadership.
Deemng the speedy admission of the Southern
States as necessary 10 their own health, "a
ndnectlv the best policy for the freedmen, as
peculiarly needul to the safety of our Govern
ment, which, for the sake OF accomplishing a
good end, mcautiOus men are in danger Of
peIyertng, | favored and do still favor the
election TO Congress OF Republicans who Will
seek the early admission of the rcCusanI States.
Having urged ii Tor year past, was more
than ready 10 urge il again upon the various
conventions which preceded the nomination OF
Representatives 10 Congress this fall. In this
spirit and Tor this end drew up my Cleveland
letter. deem ITS views sound; ! am not sorry
that wrote it, regret the misapprehension
which II has caused, and yet more, any sorrow
which IT may have needlcssly imposed upon
dear friends. As ] look back upon my course,
/ see no deviation from that straight line
which have made, without wayerlng, Tor now
thirty years OF public life, in favor OF justice,
Liberty, and the elevation OF the poor and
ignorant.
The attempt TO class me with men whose
course have opposed all my life long will
utterly fail. ! have been, from my youth, a
tirm, unwaveriug, avOwed, and active friend OF
all that were oppressed. j have done nothing
to forfeit that good name which have earned.
am not going weakly to turn away from my
settled convictions of the public veal, for fear
that bad men may praise me or good men
blame me. There is serious difference of judg-
ment between men as TO the best policy. We
must all remit to the future the decision OF the
question Facts will soon judge us.
feel now profoundly how imperfect my ser
vices heve been TO my country, compared with
| its desert of noble services. But am conscious
that have given all that had 90 give, without
lear or favor. Above all earthly things is my
country dear 10 me. The lips that taught me e.
say "0EF Father taught me 20 say Father
| land" i have aimed TO conceive OF that land
| in the light of Christianity. God Is my witness
| that with singleness OF heart ! have given all
| my time, strength and service TO that which
| shall make our whole nation truly prosperous
| and glorious. Not by the luslrc OF arms, even
| IN a Just cause, would seek her glory, but by q
civilization that should carry its blessings down
TO The lowest classes and noulish tine very roots