The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1866-06-02
COLONEL STOKES TRAVELLING
ON HIs THROUGH TICKET.


ON HIs THROUGH TICKET.
| cat the meeting in Faneun Hall, Thursday
afternoon, to sustain Congress in its multi
tudinous plans Of reconstruction, several
speeches were made condemnatory Of the
Administration in general, and commenda-
tory Of none Of the Congressional plans Of
reconstruction in particular, so far as we
have discovered from the published reports
Of the meeting. '-
One Of the speakers was Colonel WILLIAM
B. SroKEs, Of Tennessee, who was not very
clear upon any point, except in asserting
that he was always an intense Union man,
had been a friend Of President JOHNSON until
quite lately, but had switched of from the
track, and taken his chances with Congress
against TIE PRESIDENT. He is reported to
have said that ."r
Serving three sessions In the legislature Of Ten
nessee. recording his votes for the Union when IL
vote for or against the Union, he had the pleasure
Of planting himself by the side Of the Union, and
never would consent to its dissolution"
And again: ..... -.
| ''The speaker had known the President for over
twenty year, and had remained friendly to him
until short time since, when he Colonel Stokes)
informed the President that he had taken q through
| ticket and was bound to remain hrm TO the Union.
Since Nat conversation be had not been intimate
with him He road from the Presidents speech,
showing Mr.. Johnson's reconstruction policy in
/ 1854 and said that he did not believe there was
Union man or soldier but would endorse It. That
was what Congress endorsed and was endeavoring
TO carry out. Was Congress wrong, or the Presi.
dent? He thought that there was little doubt that
the President had strayed away from his expressed
policy. Tho President had said that the soldiers
should have the Offices and he believed they should.
A new party was talked Of; but did not want II.
II Twas composed Of Copperheads and rebel sympathiz
ers, and he preferred to remain with the old Union
| party. He had proposed two Union meu-those
who had fought for Il In the battle neld-for Office
in his district in Tennessee, aud they set aside
and men appointed In their places who were boilers
the legislature and are to-day in full fellowship
with the rebels"
The Colonel lets the cat out Of the bag.
He was q friend Of The president for twenty
years; he came here as Representative elect
from Tennessee; Congress shut the door in
his face and Mr.. MAYSARD's face, and in the
faces Of all Representatives from the South
ern States, loyal and otherwise; and then be-
cause President JOHNSON did not choose to
appoint man who was his personal enemy,
at Mr.. Stokes dctation, that gentleman
purchased through ticket Of the radical
agents and started on the through train to
abuse President JoHSsoNs policy. Up to the
time when this refusal of an appointment
was made, Col. Stokes was friend of The
PRESIDENT, and was perfectly familiar with
his policy, upon which the lines had been
drawn some time previous. Having quar-
relied with The PRESIDENT, his most obvious
method Of revenge was to go down among
the New England radicals, where Tennes-
seean who would abuse Mr.. JOHNSON was con-
sidered great desideratum.
1t appears from published records that
Colonel Stokes was not always Unionist Of
the stamp that would entitle him to instruct
Massachusetts voters in Faneuil Hall. After
the war Of the rebellion broke out he was
little "shaky" in his Unionism, to say the
least Here is letter of his:
hmEsrr, May 10. 1861.
| DEAR Sir: / have Just learned from friend that
rounds In your section in regard to my position In
this trying crisis, and for the benefit Of yourself
and others, write this:
/ have been 4 Iealous advocate Of the Union up
To the time Of ncons call for u.s. 900 troops; that
being in violation Of law, and for the subjugation
Of the South, commended Governor Harris for
his course, and for arming the State and resisting
Lincoln to the point Of the bayonet, and have en-
rolled my name as volunteer to resist his usurpa-
tion. ] have, in Congress and out opposed coer-
cion--aud all forced measures-beiieving that it
was better to recognise the Independence Of the
southern cOnfederacy" than to attempt to cOerce
them back.
I have always opposed secession, but claim the
ia ~ nd kba iaht IN he
preston Of the Federal Government, and to throw
Of their allegiance to the same when that oppres.
sion becomes intolerable. That time has now
come have been, and am now, for standing by
the border slave States, for they are 10 be the
great sufferers during the conflict. I am opposed
to being tackled on to the Southern Confederacy at
present, Except as military league) But when
peace Is restorsd II the two nations cannot live in
peace let all the fifteen slave States elect delegates
meet in convention, frame their constitution, and
submit 1t to the people for their ratification.
The South ought to be unit during the war by
all means. bad announced myself as q candidate
for reelection, but on seeing Lincoln's proclama
ton for troops. abandoned the canvass at once,
| aud am candidate. I claim to have done my
duty in trying to heal difficulties and restor,
pence. That having failed, shall now march for.
ward in the discharge Of my duty In resisting Lin.
coin, regardless Of false charges or what not, by
those who are trying to put me down. Time will
tell where we all stand, and who have been faith
full
Hoping to hear from you soon, I remain your
: truly, WM. B. Stokes.
We have heard it said in defence of Col
5 Stokes that he attempted to recall this letter
{ or suppress it, or eat it, or get it out of tn,
{ way somehow after it was written. Wehop
: he did, but at all events and by all mean
} the author Of such letter should abstain
:. from travelling on his through ticket" il
9 the enlightened districts of New England
: and attempting to instruct those who tough
| the beasts at Ephesus in the gospel Of rad
, calism.
Combinations and Nominations.
The Senate on Thursday confirmed the nominl