New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-09-20
RECONSTRUCTION

LETTER PROM PETER COOPER TO PRESIDENT JOHNSON
AEpREw JOHNSON Pys'iSsaf Of h Usnsd Sai''
MY DRAR SIR: 1t has been with heartfelt sorrow
that have witnessed the conflict OF opinion unfor
unsy prevailed between yourself and the Congress Of the
United States In relation 10 matters believed TO be vital 10
the welfare Of our common country
Such differences OF opinion when honestly entertained land
sometimes violently contended o show the why
charity is the greatest OF all virtues because the exercise Of
charity constantly required 70 enable 10 bear with the
weaknesses aud imperfections Of each other
There believe better way reconcile differences Of
op1lon than get full understanding Of the out Of
which such Misunderstanding originate.
Ts do this eeesuay i is pesessry TO begin BY admitting
result Of causes that equal 20 their production.
little reflection the almost almighty power that the
exeied TO form and fix opinions that often lead
ike PAM Of old believe that they doing God service
wben they are hauling men, women ana children 70 prison ana
for those who have made mistake TO send the first
at those who honestly entertain opinions different from
their
II always been to me source of and regret
hear Of men Congress- In any other department Of Gov
ernmen Tho destroy Their influence Tor good o calling each
other hard names which never better the condition Oh them
an sure II Mr. Sumner could have been born of your
parents and subjected TO all the circumstances and conditions
that have fallen To your lot through e he would then have
the that would have declared the many patriotic
truths that have been proclaimed by yoGrseh
conditions that have made Mr. Sumner what he would
then have been eTertng be has done all the powers Of
of the earth Of the most corruptng evils that ever
brought death and deoaon the scourge Of God to teach
20 do 10 others would that others should DO unto
you would then have oeen like Sumner reading what Scion
said COO years sgona Ehdr0 day makes Ha1 'aes takes
hGJ ms r0rth array
II possible US to others it
would inspire with charity and teach US to overcome the
evils Of which complain with kindness instead Of return
ing railing Tor railing and evil for evil
Have thought and unacco1ntable that should
severely Cense the large majority IN Congress Tor adopt
ing mid form Of for tHe guarantee OF
rpnohean form 81 government 10 he states 80 lately IN re-
commended by yourself where said Treason against tho
Government y he highest crime that can be committed
engaged in should suffer all us penaes; and when
you declared that treason mn be made Od0usta traitors
must he punished aud impoyershed.'
AOIty They not only be punished but their social
power DESTROYED" n they maintain ascend
aI,ard may again become numerous enough for treason
VOC farther and ay that after making Odous
ever Union should be remuBeraied out Of the pockets
Of loe wtO Lave inflicted this great suffering the
Again Won saw. hold 1t solemn obligation every
Of these States where tho Rebel armies have been beaen back
ere!ed care not Tow sna the number ofUnion men, II
enough tie ship Of State hold IL 90 DO high duly 10
protect aud them republican form OF government
until 'her sgan esn strength Taey must not be,moihered
b iachcs'
. In ealing Convention to States yon ask WHO
shall shall the who bis !uhueBce and bis
destroy tie Government Is he 10 participate IN
great work 81 tie Government who brought
uA sey the State II this be thea you IN truth
ali the precious blood 81 soldiers aud officers
vii. have been lost and all our battle VII have beeh
made memorable In vain
You ssk. Why oil this carnagei II was that treason
might be Pot down and traitors punished Therefore
THAT traitors should take back seat Ia tie work u resIora
tor.
VOC say has ceased to be citizen and in form
ing The Rebellion became pubic eneny.'
You farther Lo forfeited bis right 20 vote with loyal
when e rcuouuced his citizenship aud sought 10 destroy
TIE Government
oa sav these Rebel leaders must feel the power Of Toe
Go'unmeni treason must be made odiou' and traitors mu't
be punished and impoverished
You have said Their great plantations must DC seized aad
divided into email farm, aud soI 10 honest Industrious
ner"
VOC then sdd The day protecDg lands negroes
Of these agthcn Of rebellion Is past .
You sa Vyoa ha been deeply panied oy some thncs ha
come ulder your observation lou say We GET men IN co
maud Who andor tao influence Of faiieTy, nwniog and
ssTeDs grant p5O;eS,i9n 70 eh traitors while tue poor
Yoa add. traitors get lucrative contracts While the
PTae'se s no longer be tolerated any branch OF the
In ea on 10 the reconstruction Of the Government yoa
have wisely said we not Ia 10 too Of hurry
You add IL better to let item reconstruct themselves than
10 conformity with your wise ncndaou. the
j1fy Of Congress have devised and adopted Amendment
10 readers conveniently practicable for
all Rebel States reconsr VT themselves and again
INTO ttr Of those rights which thew have forfeited
~ rsbeloa rebellion that has cost the lives and limbs Of
untold thousands aud thousands u millions Of debt tina:
mains We, 10 he wrung from the tong labor Of our people
he Rebel viii certainly accept and adopt the end
that renders reconstruction favorable and convenient
bere the assembling another Congress- unless they
couragcd delay IN the hope that those who halt trait
IN power when they would hope to ge, payment
eusaye their negroes by egaioL when they ar forfeited
By rebellion.
amer having read the many patriotic savings denunca
yun have made against Rebels aud iuer Rebellion
led 10 believe that you would BE- about the last that
would recommend accept Of ans for reconstruction
that would offer .u security the future II
might be peruaded BY myself aud Others to waive all indem
nity fJr tbs past.
was grieved and disappointed while showing nv respects
you President Of the United States 10 find mys listen
ing TO what appeared unjust and unmerted
of the measures which large majority toe peoples repre-
enatyes believed TO be right and the mdest measures for
reconstruction could he adopted with any chance Of
establishing justice or OF promoting the general welfare
with of others who abored to aid the Govern
men pettng down the Rebellion would have reioced II
Congress could have found all the reports Of tie continued
Of Unol throughout the South TO be ground
The whole Republican party would have reoced Congress
could have found safe TO admit the offered from
Southern States at full share ii the Government
This being my wish does authorize denuunce the
majority In Congress and them Of being Radicals and
traitor hanging the skirts Of Government which they
are trying to DESTROY"
/, was said Of old the Of nsrsiude than the
Elm Of witcbcraft
To my mind our nation must live in everlasting infmy IL
fail to full measure Of justice TO an unfortunate
race Of men who were originally hunted down their
country and carried of aud sold like beasts into abect
tlAvery, with all their posterity
This enslaved has the strongest possible claims for
Kindness, well Justice at the hands Of the people and
Government Of tho whole country and more especially from
TIE people Of the South These unfortunate slaves done
great portion Of the labor that has fed and clothed the whites
and blacks Of the Southern country.
As the laborer worthy Of his hire true IL IL that
we nation cannot Withhold Justice aud equal rights from
VI that has fought and bed and ab0red to defend
and protect the Union Of 81 in the hour Of nations
greateH extremity.
The enemies Of country and Government trying
10 peruade the community to believe OF races
would result giving the black the Of
Justice rights which the white claim for themselves
This will be nnd 10 be Toundess fear Our national dan
ger viii always result from unequal and partial laws We
laws which will opreAs and keep in ignorance
the poE without bringing ourselves and our country the
lust uig nent Of rgheons God who will reward Us as
nation recording TO our works
indulge the hope that will oe before entirely too
late Tie terrible Danger Of taking counsel with Northern
In sympathy with the Rebels who fought the Government with
all the mercy Of desperation To accomplish the destruction Of
our Government instead Of taking COUNSEL with those friends
who elected yOu-ends who have been and DESTROYS
possibly be 10 the adoption Of every measure
cacuaed promote the substantial welfare Of all parts Of
common country.
With best wishes for yourself and the prosperity and
-. IL. r.IL.n IrnIna IN truln nAnra