Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1866-04-26
President Lincoln's Plan.

In tie last public declaration of President
Lincoln in his speech at the White House on
the 11th April, 1865 only three days before
his death, stated that his plan of reconStruc-
ton had been submitted to the Cabinet and app
prored By erGy member Of IL; and yet the Ra-
ideals are abusing President Johnson as though
he had presented something much more liberal
to the Southern States, whereas his terms have
been decidedly more stringent than Mr. Lin
colns.s
But the truth stands out, in bold relief, that
TIC dominant party in Congress are more deep
" concerned about maintaining their party as
cendancy than they are in regard to securing
the integrity Of the Union; and it is now evil
dent that, had Mr.. Lincoln lived, he would
have encountered the same sort of opposition
that Mr.. johnson is meeting, but being
Northern man, he might have escaped the de-
nuneiation Of treason, now so impudently
thrown upon his successor.
Indeed, the murmurings had already begun,
as may be seen by the following extract from
Mr.. Lincoln's speech;
Il have been shown a letter on this subject sup
posed to be an able one, in which the writer ex-
presses regret that my mind has not seemed to be
definitely fixed on the question whether the seeded
States so called, are in the Union or out of ii. 1t
would perhaps, add aStOniShment 10 his regret were
be TO learn that since have found professed Union
men endeavorng to make that question, l have
pHrDOsely forbOrne any public expression upon 1t.
As appears 10 me, that question has not been. nor
vet Is practically material one, and that any dis
cusSion of it, while it remains thus practically i'm,
material, could have no effect other than the mis-
chievous one of dividing friends. As vet, what
ever it may hereafter become, that question is bad
as the basis of controversy, and good for nothing
ut ala merely perniciOus abstraction. We all
agree that the seeded States, called, out OF
their proper practical relation with the Union, and
that the sole object of the Government, civil and
military in regard to those States is to again get
them into that proper practical relation. believe
it is not only possible but in fact easier to do this
without deciding, or ereR considering rhether these
States hare erer been out of the Union, than nth Il.
Finding themselves safely at home, it would be ut
terlv mmaterial ocheher they hare been abroad.
Let us all Join in doing the acts necessary TO restor
ing the proper practical relations between these
States and the Union, and each forever after nno-
Gently indulge his own opinion whether in doing
the acts he brought the States from without into
the Union. or only gave them proper assistance,
they never having been out oft"
In republishing Mr.. Lincoln's speech, the
National Republican of Washington concludes
with the following remarks:
Mr. LINCOLN shows when, where and how the
work of reconstruction commenced. AND. JOHN
SON was assisting him in the great effort Military
Governor of Tennessee. His assistance was of such
great value TO Mr.. Lincoln that when it was indi-
Gated to him that the Presidential Nominating Con
vention of 1860 might succeed Mr. Hamlin with
new man. Mr.. Lincoln distinctly and unhesitatingly
expressed desire that Andrew johnson, of Ten
nessee should be the man selected. He was select
ed. By the mysterious course of human events,
the man of Mr. Lincons own choice is his successor
10 carry out his reconstruction policy, well be-
49,. HIP IN lse2- sd highly annroyad since,
" President Juhnson hss taken up the thread
where Mr.. Lincoln laid it down, and is only carry
ing out the same wise policy which the latter ini
tiated. his entire Cabinet approved, and which Mil
itary Governor Andrew johnson executed in Ten
nessee to the highest satisfaction OF President and
Cabinet. With such precedent and such an ex-
perence, surely Andrew Johnson is the right man
in the right place, and will in the end command the
respectful approval of the American Congress and
the full endorsement of the American people"