New-York daily tribune., 1866-04-07
PUBLIC OPINION IN TIE SOUTH.
WEST.
Rcpublcanism in Missouri. Illinois and
Indiana-Copp Rejoicing OF the
DemocroIs over the Prcsident's Chnnge
Of Bap-The People not to be 7iisled
into the Ranks Of the Enemy.
KIRKwoOp. Mo.. Maroh %. 1865.


KIRKwoop $40. Maroh %. 1866.
Frequent Journeys in Missouri, Illinois and
Indiana have given me excellent opportunities TO mark
the progress OF political sentiment in these States and
have been gratied to find that it is steadily advanc-
In the direction Of the radical sentiments ard prn
cplos OF the Republican party. In Missouri often
hear men who were formerly silyeholders say 81 wish
no rights privileges by the law, Of the country that
am not willing all other men should posseas. 10 The
southwest portion Of the state, at Springfield, con
yenti0n Of Union men was recently held NJ Whieh
resolutions were passed. cOndemnng. IN the strongest
terms the Presidents veto Of the Ffeedmens Bureau
bill aud his speech Of the G!d Of February. and with
drawing all political fellowship and confidence from
him. The same feeling prevails throughout the Union
party OF the State and II Andrew johnson continues 10
nnrsue the course he has been follow Ing for the nst two
months he will inevitably array the Union party Of
Missouri againt lim'elf IN solid phllanN The men OF
this party have suffered too much from Rebels and
Rebe sympathizers during the war 70 join them now,
IN their new bora zeal for the reconstruction policy.
which Mr.. johnson has set up by which
the destncs Of this Union would be banded over 10 the
Rebels OF the South and their Northern allies TIE Demo
crat after their failure TO rend II 20 pieces by treason
war. and infdeliiy 10 tho principles on which II was
originally founded. Such renegades from Republican
ism a. Gen. Frank 7. Blair and few Of the fossils of
the Whig party and certain Secessioniss and Rebels
may caole the President with assurances Of popular
support In Missouri but be will find himself much
mistaken Frank Blair has been. in undertaking 10
thwart the incorporating spirit OF the people their
devotion TO the principles that have saved the VA!0n'
and made Missouri free State.
In Illinois the growth Of public opinion is equally In
favor Of the most thorough and radical principles Of
universal suffrage the denial Of representation In Con
gress to the Rebel States until they purged Of
and have provided by their Constitutions and State
laws for the enjoyment Of equal rights in the Courts
and al the ballot box, Tor all their citizens without
gard 10 color any previous condition Of servitudc
The speech Of Senator Yates In support Of his bill
curing equal civil and political rights 10 all the inhab
tants Of the United States without distinction Of
or color meets with generous response from the press
and people Of Illinois Returning the other day from
Journey through the southern portion OF the State fell
into conversation with young man. native OF one Of
the southern counties who has served the country
soldier and he said, "GOy. Yates was the best Gov
had In Illinois, and the true friend Of the
soldiers" j said Do you think the soldiers, since
their return from the war. will stand by Gov. Yates in
his advocacy OF suffrage for the cOlored men OF the
South f-tO which be answered "Y Yes, generally they
will They hate the Rebels pretty Intensely, and they
know that the black men were our friends. and that
they fought brayely for the Union. This has done
away with their old prsudees, in great measure, and
their love and admiration for Dick Yates will make
them as true to him ss steel" He continued I'VE
think Gov Yates will take his place among the great
Of the Senate and his late speech on reconsructon
is regarded by us as able and eloquent"
was delighted TO meet native Of :" Egypt the re-
gion Of former political darkness in Illinois 30 iniei.
gent and well informed He went on to say that Egypt
which mprses the southern half OF tho State bad be-
come mpletely reyoutonzed IN pubc sentiment dur.
ing the war that the District In which he
resides bordering on the Ohio River Is now represent.
ed by Republican In Congress. while before the war II
gave an overwhelming majority for the Democrats.
This great change has been due 20 the events OF the
war and TO the stirring eloquenee OF Maj Gen. John
Logan, former Democrat who stumped Egypt so ably
IN favor Of Mr. Lncons election for the second term.
He said the memory of Lincoln is now greatly reyered
in southern Illinois, where the people still remember
Mr. Douglass impertnent boast that he would trot
ann out before the people OF Egypt" 1t Is probably
according 10 the laws OF human nature that when
people converted from their preudices they become
more receptive D the truth than those who occupy
more middle f.1uDd and imagine themselves to have
been always In the Tight. Hence southern Illinois Is
more radical to day tAan the middle portions Of the
State and Missouri is far In aGyGic CO Of good many
Northern States In her intense devotion to thorough
and radical repubioanism.
Indiana am not 30 well acquainted with but pass
ing to and from Evansville every fortnight mingle
with the people Of that State. impressed with the
bitterness Of the Copperheads the southern border
J and with the radicalism Of many Republican, who
were formerly conservative members Of the Whig
party On recent visit to Evansville fell In with
portion OF the Copperhead delegation from Southern
Indiana TO the State Democratic Convention, returning
| homeward and the cars were made noisy with their
loud and violent denuncation OF Charles Sumner and
Thaddeus Stevens and the radical Members OF Con-
gress generally with their enthusiastic approval OF
I Andrew Johnson and with their advocacy OF the
rights OF the Rebel States. Said one Of them TO me-
"i'l bet you thousand dollars that Andy johnson
will veto The Civil Rights eilL" l answered II am
not In the habit Of betting bnt give 1t m my opinion
merely that II he does he will cut bis own throat
mean politically Of course-for do not think he IL In
anv aotuaI daDoer either OF suicide or