The New York herald., 1866-09-02
TEE CLEVELAND CONVENTION.

Reply OF the Rev. Henry Ward Beecher TO the
Soldiers and Sailors Letter Of Invftntfon-
Strong Argument In Favor of President
JOlBs0n's Restoration Policy.
PEEKsKIII, August 30 1885
CHAa 9. HALnEE, Brevet Brigadier General b. w.
SLocUn, Major General GORDON GRANGER, Major Gen.
GEsrEMEN-I am obliged to you for the invitation
which you have made TO me TO act az Chaplain 70 the
Convention Of Sailors and Soldiers about TO convene At
Cleveland cannot attend Il, but heartily wish IT,
and all other conventions OF what party soever success
whose object Is the restoration of all the states late In
rebellion to their federal relations
Our theory Of government has place for State ex
cept In the union II is justly taken for granted that
the duties and responsibilities of State in federal re
tons tend to its political health and to that Of the
whole nation Even Territories hastily brought in
often before the prescribed conditions fulfilled as II
u were daDRerons TO leave community outside OF the
great body polite.
Had the loyal Senator'S and Representatives OF Ten
Dessee been admitted at the assembling OF Con-
gress, and in moderate succession, Arkansas Georgia.
Alabama, North Carolina and Virginia, the public mind
OF the South would have been far healthy than 1t
is and those States which fingered probation TO the
last would have been under sautary influence 70
good conduct than II dozen armies watched them
Every month that we delay this healthfu step COM
plicates the case. The excluded population, enough
unsettled before, grow more irritable; the army be-
sedes it; the government at Washington is called in
terfere In one and another difficulty and this will be
government wisely adapted to its proper functions
is utterly devoid of those habits, and unequpped with
the instruments which fit centralized government to
exercise authority In remote States local affairs
Every attempt to perform such duties has resulted in
mistakes which have excited the nation But whatever
cism should be against the requston of such duties OF
the general government.
The federal government is unfit TO exercise minor po
lice and local government, and will inevitably bunder
when IT attempts IT, To keep half score Of States
under federal authority but without national ties and
responsibilities TO 0bge the central authority to govern
half OF the territory Of the Union by federal civil officers
and by the army is apocy not only uncongena 70 our
IDEAS and principles but preeminenty DANGEROUS to the
spirit Of our government. However humane the ends
sought and the motive IL is in fact course Of instruc
tion,, preparing our government to be despotc and
familarzng the people to stretch of authority which
never be other than dangerous to liberty.
am aware that good men are withheld from advo-
eating the prompt and successive admission Of the ex-
lied States by the fear chiefly Of its effect upon parties
and upon the freedmen.
1t is said that II admitted to Congress- the Southern
Senator'S and Representatives will coalesce with Northern
democrats and rule the country Is this nation then
remain dismembered to the ends OF parties
Have we learned no wisdom BY the history Of the past
ten years, In which just this of sacrificing the
nation TO the exgences Of parties plunged US into REBEL
lion and war?
Even admit that the power would pass into the hands
Of party made up Of southern men, and the hitherto
dshonored and misled democracy OF the North, that
power could not be used just as they pleased The war
has changed, not alone institutions but ideas. The
whole country has advanced. Public sentiment is
aited lar beyond what has been at any orer period
new party would Ike river, be obliged TO seek out
its channels in the already existing slopes and forms OF
the continent.
We hasg entered new era of liberty. The style Of
thought Ia freer and more noble. The young men Of
times regcnerated. The great army has been
school, and hundreds of thousands OF men are gone
home to preach and nober view Of human rights
All the Industrial interests Of society moving with
increasing wisdom toward intelligence and liberty
Everywhere, In churches in literature in natural SCI.
ences in physical industries in social questions, as well
in politics. the nation feels that the winter Is over and
spring hangs in the horizon and works through
all the elements In this happily changed and advanced
condition of things party OF the retrograde main
tain itself Everything marches and parties must march
hear with wonder and shame and scorn the fear of
few that the South once more in adjustment with the
federal government will rule this nation The North is
rich never %s SO Sh the south Is poor never before 20
Of the South The industry Of the North in diversity,
in orwardness and productveness in all the machinery
and education required for manufacturng is half CEN
tury in advance OF the South. Churches In the North
every hill, and schools In every neghbor
hood while the South has but scattered lights, at long
distances like lighthouses twinklng along the edge OF
continent Of darkness In the presence OF such con-
rast how and craven is the fear that the South
will rule the policy OF the land. That ii will have
influence. that IL will contribute In time, most import
ant influences restraints, glad to believe But
will he because the North demorazed by prosperity
and besoted by groveng interests refuses TO discharge
It's share OF political duty In such case the South not
only will control the government, but ought 10 do IT,
II ~ feared with reason that the restoration
Of the South to her full Independence will be detmen
tai to the freedmen. The sooner dismiss from
minds the idea that the freedmen be classified and
separated from the white population. and nursed and
defended by themselves the better II will be for them
He cannot be prosperous while II s unprospered. Its
evils will rebound upon him Its happiness and
reinvlgoration cannot he kept from his participation
The restoration Of the South to amicabe relations with
the North, tho reorganization OF It's industry, the
rcnspration OF ts enterprise and thrift will all re-
dound TO tho ffecdIncn's benefit Nothing IL danger
10 the freedmen unsettled state OF society in
the South On him comes all the Spite and anger and
caprce and revenge He viii be made the scapegoat Of
lawiess and heartess Unless turn The govern
ment into vast military machine there cannot he
armies enough 10 protecl the freedmen while Southern
calmed settled and occupied and soo,hed with new
hopes and prosperoGs industries, no armies will be
needed Riots viii subside. iawiess hangers on will bc
driven on or better governed and way VIII be grsdu
ally opened up W the freedman. through education and
industry, 10 full citizenship with all IDS honon and
duties
Civilization is growth. None escape that forty
years in the wilderness who travel from the Egypt OF
Ignorance 10 the promised land Of civilization The
freedmen take their march have full faith In
the results. H they have the stamina to undergo the
rome in their upward progress, they vii in due time
take their place among That place cannot be bought
nor bequeaihed, gained by seisht Of hand II will
10 sobriety virtue industry and frugay. As the
nation be sound until the south prosperous so
the other extrome, healthy condition OF civil
ciety in the south s indispensable 10 the welfare Of the
freedmen.
Refusing TO admit loyal Senator's and Representative
from the South TO Congress will not help The freedmen
u viii not secure for them the vote II will not protect
them. II will not secure any amendment of our consti
tuition, however just and wise. II will only Increase the
dangers and compcate the difficulties Whether
gard The whole nation any OF u class in H.
The nrsf demand Of our time is entire rennionl
Once united can by schools churches, free press
and increasing free speech attack each evil and secure
every good.
Meanwhile, the great cbasm which rebellion made is
llcd up. IL grows deeper aud stretches wider Out
Of Il dread spcctrrs and threatening sounds Let
that gulf be closcd and bury In II slavery, sectional
aDimosy and all s,rifes and hatrcds
u is ~ that the brave men. who, on sca and land
faced death TO the nation, should now, by ther
voice and vote consummate what their swords rendered
possible
For the sake Of the freshmen for tho sake OF the South
and millions OF fellowcountyneu, for our own
sake the great OF freedom and civilization
the immediate reunion Of all the parts which re-
bellion and war have shattered. ! am trnS yours,
HENRY WARD yEECHER.
city Politics.
JOHNSON NESTING THfRrxRSrH WsRp-0n Fri
day evening the great hall OF the Clinton Gsrn Clin
ton street, near Broome was denseIy crowded sy the
conservative citizens OF the Thirteenth ward called