The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1866-03-26
Doual Rights and Genera, Amnesty.

Senator Stewards plan contemplates re-
construction of the Union with mutual sur
ances from the parties to the late cohnict-
the South offering to confer equal ciV' anu
political rights upon all men, without resaru
to race or color, the North in return tender-
ing general amnesty for all political onehces.
The New York World has of course assailed
this proposition, which tends to make the
Declaration of Independence something more
than piece Of eloquent defamation. 1t has
intimated among other things, that Senator
Stewart is incapable of originating any meas
ure and that this particular plan must be as
cribed to his father-in-law, Hon. Henry S.
Foote, slate member of the defunct Con-
federate Senate" and Mr.. Foote thereupon
comes in for his share of the abuse. Mr..
Foote. who has fought three duels in the
course of his life, is naturally irritated, and
has at last addressed a letter to the editor of
the World, which we copy:
SIR: 1t has been rarely of late that have
deemed 1t expedient to undertake the defense
OF my character or motives against newspaper
aspersions, however unjust and illiberal, pre-
ASAAhi5 III s5cuCldl W avail LuC 4uICb anu cAo
Vlndication which time and answering recsi-
tude are quite sure, sooner or later, to supply,
to entering the field of controversy with the
conductors of public journals, who must al
ways have manifest advantage over an Wnom
they assail that are not, like themselves, pro-
vided with that armory OF offensive ana de-
fensive weapons which, in such case, would
seem almost to give absolute assurance OF ul-
innate victory. On several occasions since
my location in this city, have found myself
alluded to in the columns of the World in
language at once so pungent and so unmerit-
ed that could not feel altogether free from
something approaching to Irritation but still
/ remained silent. now write merely to say
that your informant, whoever he may be, on
whose authority you have presented me to
your readers as the real author of the resolu-
tons recently offered in the United States
Senate by my son-in-law, Senator Stewart has
grossly misled YOU. assure you thatI have
no earthly connection with the resolutions in
question, save that L do most warmly approve
them, and entertain the opinion that they
contain terms to which the States OF the South
could hoaorably and ddUantageously dccede,
and In which [ am confident that they will
acquiesce most cordially, should they be ever
hereafter proffered to them. That they ought
to do so, believe that l can successfully MAIN
tain in courteous and friendly discussion,
you are willing that your readers should have
an opportunity accorded to them of taking a
view Of both sides of the grave question in
volved. Sz rem -faitsn aai
| nave the honor to be, respectfully, youl
obedient servant, 7re III. S. FooTE.
The reader will see that Mr.. Foote holds moi
only that the Southern States "could honora-
bly, and advantageously accede" to the prefer
ed terms, but that "they ought to do So" Sen
ator Sumner has already welcomed the prop
osition. When Charles Summer and Henry
S. Foote agree, why may we not expect po-
litical millennium? Why cannot the Con-
gressional majority unite upon this PROPOSE
ton, with or without amendment, put it in
such form as to secure its provisions by CON
stitutional amendment, and then appeal to the
people? The World accepts Mr.. Foote'S Offer
to discuss the measure. We shalllook with
interest for his South-side view. ~