Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1866-05-11

Report Of re Reconstruction ComMihee-
Iolr IL is receired here-N. .StaRfon-1he
Blame aud Conbim COntrorersg-IHe
army BIZ de-. dc.
Mr. EplroR:-
Since my last, the committee on recon
struction have reported .hcir plan for the
rcadmission of the States late in rebellion.
1t is not my province, neither is it my in
tcntion in this connection, to discuss the
merits OF this measure. Its several pro
positions are before the country, and you
gentlemen Of the editorial profession, can
give to your readers yoar views upon the
subject from your OWN stand points.
| will contine my remarks chiefly To a
few simple statements, and explain how
this report was received aud discussed III
political. aud high official circles here. 1t
staggered the eopperheads immensely, and
for time mann was the word. They cX-
pected something more radical; something
boiling over with venom and hate towards
our errias "southern brethren - some
thing proposing conditions to which the
South could not, and would not acccdc +;
something indeed, that they could resist
and be gratticd before the world in resist
Ing. What wonder then, that they were
,ium- founded at the clear. succinct, Just,
philosophical statesman like propositions
which the committee of fifteen have sub
mttcd 1t was sometime before these
coppery gentlemen, and cminently patriot
ic (!) individuals known as johnson men
came forth from their hiding places, and
vcntured to give utterance to their views.
These people We're soon relieved how
ever by semi, official manifesto from the
White House. announcing that this plan OF
| Congress is not in accordance with my
policy" Then howl went up from every
copperhead throat, and from every rene
gade Republican; and from every seees-
siouists, and scecsh sympathiser. great ii
Andy johnson, and my policy" must be
carried out the will of Congress to the
contrary Notwithstanding. A fierce con,
hict of opiuion-may it be of opinion on
ly-is before us, and what gives intensity
to this conflict, at this juncture, is, the
reported acquiesccnsc of Mr.. Secretary
Stanton, in the Pre- dents policy. ! say
reported acquiescense, because, learn
from very reliable sources that Mr.. Stan
toms position is unchanged. That he en-
tertains the same opinions now, that he
has always held upon the question of
reconstruction. The report which has
gone abroad to the country, that the Sec
retary Of war endorses fully the Presi
dents policy is not believed here by those
who know Mr.. Stanton intimately; an,
it is affirmed here that this statement hal
been put forth for the purpose of calm:
out disclaimer from the Secretary. ant
thus comp. Hing him to leave the Cabine.
1t will hardly succeed. may say indeed
that If Mr. Stanton has given in his adhe
sion to Mr.. Johnson policy. it is not TIL
first time in the history of the wotld, tina
"a great man has committed q blunder, an,
such blnnder too, in this instance
was characterized by the willy French
man rs deed, ''worse than crime" TIL
loyal masses Of the country will, l think
be slow to believe that the great Wa
minister, who has been 80 eminently use
full during the rebellion, andwho will have
such a glorious fame in history, will noN
by an unhecoming weakness -sully tina
+ s,m fame by endorsing policy which
weak, aud wicked, and .fraasht Wit
naught but mischief to his country.