Daily Richmond Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1865-1869, 1866-04-30
GENERAL DIX'S LETTER.
NEW YORK, April -, 1866.


NEW YORK, April -, 1866.
j. l.. Douglas, Esq, Chairman, DC.
e. DEAR SIR-If it were in my power, it would af.
ford me great pleasure TO accept the invitation you
gave ME Yesterday to attend the meeting TO be held
in Brooklyn this evening, to sustain the policy Of
President johnson n regard to the Southern States
lately in rebellion. In the general scope of his views
fully concur From an early period after the close
of the war it was understood that when those States
should have given their assent to the amendment Of
the Constitution aboShing slavery, and repudiated
the debts contracted 10 overthrow the Government
they should be permitted to resume their places in
the Union and TO be represented in both houses of
Congress. The eXactiOn Of new conditions is vio-
lation Of Cat understanding and is calculated to
prOlOng the separation Of the States against whic
we carried on tor four years a sanguinary war, and
to widen breach which it is our duty, by all just
and practical measures, 10 repair and heal.
That there will he, for q long time to come, much
hostile feeling at the South must be expected as a
necessary consequence Of the war. But it is in the
power Of each house Of Congress TO refuse to receive
as Representatives persons who not loyal to the
Union and thus TO exclude from all participation in
the enactment of laws those who would be disposed
to peryer the legislation Of the country to its injury.
The right course is very clear TO my own Judgment Ii
seems TO me 10 be utterly incompatible with the prin-
cipes of our political organization TO exercise in
peace a control over the analrs OF any state which
Is not represented in the legislative body. The ex-
sting condition Of things is anomalous and should,
for the general good be terminated as speedily as
possible. Whatever inconvenience may result from
the prompt admission Of the Southern Representa-
tives can find prejudicisl in their influence
as the example, under representative system like
ours Of denying TO OnefOurth Of the people OF the
country a voice in their own Government
In view Of the great public interest involved in
speedy restoration Of the States, quo ante beLIEn,
and laying aside, as every patriotic citizen should,
all personal and party considerations, | deeply de-
pore the differences Of opinion which exist between
-e Executive and Legislative branches of the Gov
soTnent, and continue TO prevent q concurrence in
| astsb,Ss Enmon plan OF adjustment which will re-
otbar the former relations Of the States to each
trv f ~ leave the talent and industry of the eOun-
| attain. ou' the prosperity II Is destined to
dp 81 the policy of the President hest eaIcu
it may be carried ont " Is my earnest desire that
go, .I ~. .S SIAs have done all that ustice vood
o 60. ~ =, ~ selea view Of the general welfare
dence on the good sense and ,ha tne more eonh-
people in all sections Of the UD'P Arlotlsm OF the
/ political institutions While hava 70 suslSih our
/ il right that some of the leading men NyS Seemed
rebellion and set It on foot should Pos'eu the
ishment due to their crimes, Of opini' ue pun.
is both polite and just TO bring back into ~
as speedily possible, the great BODY of ~ S
eIn people who were forced or deluded int t-n
sOnable resistance to the authority-of the VoSaea
ment Necessary reforms in our commercial an =
financial systems and the protection Of intenatonoi
interests the most urgent and delicate, concur in
pressing upon speedy settlement Of our domestic
Discussions.
81 am, truly yours, JOHN A. DIX"