Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1866-09-19

IpEST. Mr.. Beecher's letter TO the Cic'e-
land Convention excited create deal OF
remark and sharp criticism some OF which
has come to his ears. An other letter
from him was read after service in Plym-
outh Church last Sunday, in which, after
regrettiug that his position is as he says
misunderstood, he declares:
| have not left, aud do not propose to
leave or be put out of the Republican party.
am in sympathy with its aira, Its graet
principles and it, army of noble men, but
| took the liberty of criticising its policy
in single respect. and 10 do what | could
to secure what believed, and still believe
to be better one. .....u
Neither am a "Johnson man" in any
received meaning of that term. | accept
that part of the policy which he favors, but
with modification. | have never thought
that it would be wise to bring back all the
Statss in a body at once, any more than
it would be so to keep them out altogeth-
er. One by one, in due succession, under
a practical judgment, rather than by
wholesale theoretic rule, would have
them readmitted. / still think middle
course, between the preident's and that Of
Congress, would be wiser than either, but
with this my agreement with the Prcsi-
dent ends.
l have long regretted his ignorane of
Northern ideas and sentiments and his
indiscretion. Unconsciously the Presi-
dent is the chief obstacale to the readm-
ission of the Southern States. 1t is en-
ough that he is known to favor measure
to set the public mind against it. This is to
be deplored. but it is largely owing to his
Increasing imprudent conduct. believe
him to be honest, sincere in deiring what
he regards public good, but slow and inapt
in receivcipg help from other minds proud
and sensitive; firm to obstinacy; resolute
to iierccncss; intelligent in his own sphere
which is narrow, He holds his opinions
inhexibly. He often mistakes the inten-
sity of his own convictions for strength
of evidence. Such man has true sdhere
in periods of peIil, when audacious firm
ness and rude vigor are needed; but in
the delicate tasks of adjustment which
follow civil war, such a na,urc la cks that
toat and delicacy, and moral intuition
which constitute the true statesman.
"Mr. Johnson's haste to take the wrong
side at the atrocious massacre at New Or
leans was a shock; the perversion and mu
tilation of Sheridan's despatch needs Oh
characterization. do not attribute this
act to him, yet it was Of such criminal
and disgraceful nature that not to clear
himself of it by the exposure and rehuke
of the offending party. amounted to collu.
sion with crime after the fact What
shall say OF the speeches made in the
recent circuit Of the Executive? Are
these the way of reconciliation?
III attribute the recent misunderstood
ing in part to the excitement which now
exists to the narrowing Of the issues. and
to the extreme exacerbation which Mr..
Johnson's extraordinary and lnjudicious
speeches have produced 10 this may be
added my known indispostion to join in
criticism upon the President and the fact
that urged moderate form of that pol
icy which he, unfortunately for its sue
cess. holds. Upon Mr. Johnson's accession
was supremely impressed with the con-
viction that the whole problem of recons-
trucctioD would practically pivot on the
harmony of Mr.. Johnson and Congress
With that we could have seured every
guarantee and every amendment of the
Constitution.
Deeming the speedy admission of the
States as necessary TO their own
health-as indirectly the best policy for
The freedmen-as peculiarly Eecdful to
the safety of our Government, which for
the sake of accomplishing good end /
meu were in danger of pervert. |
ing, | favored, and do so still favor. the
election to Congress. of Republicans who
will seek the early admis,io of the rec.
reant States.
Having urged it for year past l was
more than ready to urge it again upon the
various conventions which preceded the
domination Of representatives to Congress
his fall. In this spirit and for this end
drew up my Cleveland letter. | deem
It's views sound. [ am not sorry that |
wrote it. | regret the misapprehenion
which 10 has caused, and yet more, any
sorrow which it NAV have needlessly i'm
e.