Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-09-06
BEECHER ON RESTORATION,

Rev. Henry Ward Beocher, the gifted pastor
of Congregational Church in Brooklyn, n. Y,
and extensively known throughout the country,
was invited to be the chaplain Of the Soldiers
and Sailors Convention to be held at Cleveland
on the 18th instant lie has written a reply,
stating his inability to be present but wishing
it success in the object of the restoration of all
the States.
He urges that there is no place for State
except in the Union. Every months delay
complicates the case. lie thus SCOTS at the
cowardly apprehension Of the Souths ruling
the country -
cit is said that if admitted to Congress the
Southern Senators and Representatives will
coalesce with Northern democrats aud rule the
country. Is this nation, then, to remain dis
membered to serve the ends of parties Have
we learned no wisdom by the history Of the last
ten years, in which Just this course Of sacrificing
the nation to the eXigencies Of parties plunged
us into rebellion and war
! Even admit that the power would pass into
/ the hands of party made up OF Southern men,
/ and the hitherto dishonored and misled democ-
racy of the North, that power could not be used
! INST as they pleased. The war has changed,
not alone institutions, but ideas. The whole
cm,7trv has advanced. Public sentiment Is eX-
allied 1,r beyond what has been at any former
period. 4 new party would, like river, be
Obliged TO seek its channels in the already ex-
isting slopes and forms Of the continent,
He contrasts with glaphic force the present
condition Of the North ana Soath; the North
is rich. never so rich-thc South is poor, never
so p0or-and says
'In the presence of such a contrast hcw
mean and craven is the fear that the South Will
rule the policy of the land That it will have
an influence. that it will contribute, in time,
most important influences or restraints, we are
glad TO believe But if it rises at once TO the
control Of the government, it will be because the
North, demoralized by prosperity, and besottell
| by groveling interests, refuses to discharge Its
/ share of political duty. In such case the
/ South not only will control the government.
but il ought to do it,
And he answers forciJly and truly the idle
fear that the freedmen are to suffer-
As the nation cannot Ie sound until the
| South is prosperous, So, CA the otGcr extreme,
a healthy condition of civil society in the South
is indispensable to the welfare of the freedmen.
Refusing to admit loyal Senators and RePresen-
tltiyos from the South to Congress viii not help
\ the freedmen. It viii not secure for them the
vote Ii viii not protect them. 1t Will not
/ secure any amendment of cur constitution,
/ however Just and wise. Il viii only increase
the dangers and oomp,icate the difficulties
! Whether we regard the whole nation, or any
section Of it or class in it, the FIRST demand OF
our time is entire reunion
Sc For the sake OF the freedmen, for the sake
Of the South and It's millions of our fellow coun-
/ trymen, for our own sake, and for the great
cause Of freedom and civilization. urge the
/ immediate reunion Of all parts which rebellion
and war have shattered.