The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1866-09-03
Letter from Henry Ward Beecher-He
Heartily Endorses President John.
sons Policy.
PEEKsKILL, August 80, 1866.


PEEKsKILL, August 80, 1866.
Charles 6. Halpine, Breuet Brigadier- Gene
raj; w Slocum, Major General; Gordon
Granger, Major General, committee:
Geutlemen,-Ia am obliged to you for the
invitation which You have made to me to
act as chaplain to the convention of Sail
ors and Soldiers about to convene at
Cleveland. cannot attend it, but |
heartily wish it, and all other conventions
of what party soever, success, whose OBJ
iect is the restoration Of all the States late
in rebellion to their federal relations.
Our theory of government has no place
for a State except in the Union. 1t is
Justly taken for granted that the duties
and responsibilities of State in federal
relations tend to its political health, and
to that of the whole nation. Even Terri
tories are hastily brought in, often before
the prescribed conditions are fulfilled, as
if it were dangerous to leave community
outside of the great body-politic. .
Had the loyal senators and representa-
tiyes of Tennessee been admitted at once
on the assembling of Congress, and, in
moderate succession, Arkansas, Georgia,
Alabama, North Carolina, and Virginia,
the public mind Of the South would have
been far more healthy than it is, and those
States which fingered on probation to the
last would have been under more Salu-
tary influence to good conduct than If o
dozen armies watched over them.
Every month that we delay this health
full step complexities the case. The ex-
Guided population, enough unsettled be-
fore. grow more irritable; the army be-
comes indispensable to local government,
and supercedes it; the Government at
Washington is called to interfere in one
and another difficulty, and this will be
done inaptly, and sometimes with great
injustice for our Government, wisely
adapted to its own proper functions, is ut
terly devoid Of those habits and unequipped
with the instruments which fit central
lied government to exercise authority in
remote States over local affairs. Every
attempt to perform such duties has re-
suited IN mistakes which have excited the
nation. But whatever imprudence there
may be in the method, the real criticism
should be against the requisition of such
duties of the General Government.
The Federal Government is unfit to exer.
else minor police and local government,
and will inevitably blundcr when 1t at
tempts it. To keep half-sc0rc of States
under Federal authority, but without ma
tional ties and responsibilities; to obligc
the central authority to govern half the
territory of the Union by Federal civil
officers and by the army, is q policy not
only uncongenial to our ideas and princi-
pies, but prominently dangerous to the
spirit of our Government. However hu-
name the ends sought and the motives, 1t
is in fact course of instruction, prepa.
ring our Government to be despotic, and
familiarizing the people to q stretch OF
authority which can never be other than
dangerous to liberty. IS s. a.~
am aware that good men are withheld
from advocating the prompt and succes-
siye admission IF the exiled States by the
fear, chiefly, Of its effect upon parties and
upon the freedmen. -aerr i .-s..
It is said that IL admitted to Congress
the southern senators and representatives
will coalesce with northern Democrats,
and rule the country. Is this nation, then,
to remain dismembered to servo the ends
Of partiesi Have we learned no wisdom
by the history Of the last ten years, In
which lust this course Of sacrincing the
nation 70 the exigencies Of parties plunged
M into rebellion and war; 'sasst,@7- ~
Even admit that the power would pass
into the hands OF q party made mp Of
southern men and The hitherto dishonored
and misled Democracy Of the North. that
power could not be used Just as they
pleased. The war has changed, not alone
institutions, but idsas. The whole country
has advanced. Puddle sentiment a. an.
aited far beyond what Il has been 4 snv
former period. A wpafty would. ME .
river, be obliged TO- seek out its channels
IN the already existing slopes and forms ct
tho continepf. - II. - - "
We have entered 8 now ora of libartx.