The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1866-01-15
Emerson Etheridge.
WASHINGTON, D. c.. Dec. 90

+ WASHINGTON, D. c., Dec. 90
JOHN S. PERUVIAN, ESQ:
DEAR SIR have your letter of yester-
day, calling my attention to the following IN
Philadelphia newspaper:
'EMERsON ETHRIDGE. Emerson Etbridpe
IL IN W shlngton. 1t is said, doing his ut.
termost to weaken the case of the Tennessee
clmants to seats in the congress of the
United States. Notwithstanding this, how
ever, the feeling in favor Oh these excellent
men continues TO increase among the repub
loan mem hers"
The statement Is untrue sm now, as
have been from the first, in favor of admitting
the.members from Virginia. North Carolina,
South Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Alabama.
MlssIsslppI and Texas, in each of which re.
presentatlves have been elected under the
WISE and liberal policy of the PRESIDENT
and, since the meeting of congress. for pub.
lie reasons satisfactory to myself I have
urged the admission of the entire delegation
from Tennessee, although some of the ap-
phcants from that state were not elected ::
were not the choice OF the legal voters of the
districts they claim to represent, but were in
TACT appointed by BFownlow and the agency
OF negro bayonets, the outrage being sane
TONED only BY his petty associates and few
renegade rebels who have disgraced every
cause they have espoused Some other ap.
pilcants however, from that state are the
choice of their constituents, and, therefore,
fit to represent them. They were elected,
despite the efforts of Brownlow and the mill
tary satrapswho aided him, and, if admitted
to their seats, will do honor to the people by
whom they were chosen AT this time, how
ever, l would gladly see them all indueted
into office, thereby ending, l trust, forever,
the complicated, existing, aud dangerous
question. The opinion here expressed l
have frankly avowed to all who have asked
my views. / have not, it is true, thrust my
opinion upon any one. Indeed. during my
stay in the city, have not visited the CAPT.
toI nor have interchanged visits with any
senator or representative, save from the state
of Kentucky. Those who attempt to make
the impression that 1 am opposed to the
liberal and CON prehensive policy which the
president has inaugurated, to restore repre-
sentasion to the states first above named, are
themselves the secret enemy of both the pres
ident and his purposes; they will soon be
the public, as they now are the private allies
of Sumner & Co. The message of the presi-
dent had been plainly foreshadowed by his
acts and conversations. | cordially approve
the automatic truths therein so frankly.
avowed :; and, without reference to the opin-
ions or wishes of any one, shall consider it
an imperative duty, and in no spirit of
captious criticism, to give his policy a hearty
support in the impending conflicts conflict
which / regard as inevitable, unless the pres
ident. contrary to all inst expectations.
should abandon the principles of the message
for the dangerous dogmas of his radical enc
mics. This he cannot do without public and
personal dishonor. He has made and accent.
ed issues thus far boldly; he will be sustain
ed. finally, by millions of just and liberal
men who SO fully comprehended the respon-