The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-04-18
ARKANsAs AND GEORGIA.

verse; out OF CIVIL bblll tuuCulR KOOu
has not only been prominently illustrated by |
our late eventful history, causing the wicked |
institution Of bondage and the dangerous |
heresy Of secession to disappear by the in |
fictions Of civil war, but the evil counsels |
which prevailed respecting the constitutional
method Of dealing with the southern States |
after the close Of the contest and delaying |
the all-important duty of restoration, is likely
to result in dispelling the fears, mastering the
prejudices, and quelling the passions Of the
less reflective portion Of the country.
We cannot conceive Of more thorough
triumph and vindication Of that humane and
wise policy commenced by ABRAHAM LIN
colin, under the name Of reconstruction, and
continued by President JOHNSON, under the
name Of restoration; or q more complete
refutation and unanswerable rebuke to the
Wholesale Misrepresentation Of the condition
Of affairs, and the deliberate scheme Of misin-
forming public opinion concerning the ami
mus and intention Of the Southern States and
people, which has animated the radical cam
paign than the testimony before the "Com-
mittee Of Fifteen" given by Colonel @. A.
Henry, with reference to Arkansas, and A.
ii. STEPHENS, the vice president Of the at
tempted cOnfederacy in relation to Georgia.
Col. HENRY served in the Federal army; he
was an ardent sympathizer with the North,
and held the most extreme views Of his Sec
ton. He might have been claimed, and may
now for aught we know, as a radical. AT
any rate, no rebel or copperhead infection
ever tainted him. He has been in Arkansas
during the war and sAce the cessation Of
hostilities. His evidence is unimpeachable,
and it is as encouraging to the hopes of 10y
atty as it is reliable in the matters upon
which il is offered. From him we learn that
the leading rebels, and almost without ex-
ception the whole mass who had resort to
treason, have yieldeda willing compliance to
the authority of the Federal power, manifest
ing an entire acceptance of the results
to devote themselves to the duties in
volved upon them as citizens of the United
States, by faithful maintenance Of its laws
and support Of its Government. lie tells
us that slavery has been abolished
by conventional act; that rebel debts have
been made void; equality Of the negro race
established as to personal and property rights;
and that these legislative provisions have
been ratified by popular vote. From him
also we learn that order prevails; that indus
try is revived; that the whites exhibit q
friendly disposition towards the blacks; that
the latter are disposed to work faithfully, and
seem contented; that seventeen thousand
Arkansians were in the Federal service; that
its State government is in the hands Of meI
considered by him to be loyal; that the mem
bers Of the Senate and House of Representa-
tives elect are unconditional Union men
many Of them having sacrificed much for the
loyal cause, and some bravely maintaining il
at the peril of life upon the field of battle
Such is the gratifying record that Arkansas
has made according to the testimony Of this
Federal soldier. While 1t should make the
heart Of patriotism glow to think so great
work has been done for the advance of oul
institutions and principles, it should also
bring to every honest cheek blush of shame
that, with such indisputable evidences of gen
uine fealty, and such bright examples of de
voted loyalty, holding her credentials of cleo
ton, Arkansas finds the doors of the Thirv
ninth Congress shut against her representa-
ton, and its members stolid to her recogni
ton.
1t is a strange coincidence that the evl
dence of Mr.. STEPHENS, high rebel official
in all main points cOrrOborates that of tn,
Republican Federal officer from Arkansas
With the exception of the number of thos,
who engaged in the Federal SERVICE and thu
previous Union sentiments Of those tina
Georgia has chosen to represent her in thu
national councils, the story of the former il
the story Of the latter From Mr. STEPHEN'
we have the same statement Of complete
submission to present circumstances. Tn,
policy of secession is universally abandoned
the unanimous desire is for return to thu
national relations with the country; the un
divided sentiment is for obedience to ant
participation with the United States Govern
ment In that lies all their chances or calcI
lations for the future. Georgia, too hal
given the death blow to slavery; has repu
dated rebel obligations and has by the mos
emphatic legislation placed her colored Cit
zens upon equal privileges, and subjected
them to similar penalties for misdemeanor'
with the white race, conceding thereby every
thing which was mooted as necessary whilC
the stern struggle for national existence wa
progressing. Mr.. STEPHENS considers Geor
gia loyal, and defines loyalty " to be loyal t.
law, order, and the Constitution-to suppor
the Government under the Constitution.
That definition is good enough for us. 1t il
the one which the founders of this Republic
originated y which this heroic generation
rushed to arms in order to demonstrate a
the dread tribunal of war; audit is one whcl
will be accepted as final by our intelligen
Acknowledged, who will hail with feeling
Of unmingled gratitude its adoption through
out the broad domain of their country. MI
STEPHENS says that the conduct of the negr
race is much better than the most hopeful
looked for" Such testimony is cause 70
reioicin0 and IL of more yalue TO that unfoI